Fulham news: Opinion – Fan writer on being the Premier League’s ‘nearly men’

We always ask: when is a good time to look at the league table?

Is it after 10 games when it has ‘shaken out?’

Is it after the congested festive period when the wheat is separated from the chaff?

If you are a Fulham fan, the best time is after the final game of the campaign.

The stats show that in the Premier League under Marco Silva, we experience a sharp drop-off in April and May, picking up an average of 1.13 and 1.17 points per game in each month, respectively since our return to the Premier League in 2021.

That is not a relegation form return, but when February boasts a points-per-game figure of 2.12, it is clear to see there is a problem.

This season, it has cost us European football.

We have rarely dropped below eighth all term, let alone out of the bottom half, but our meek 3-1 loss to Everton on Saturday was our fourth loss in six games. It leaves us stuck in 11th, looking longingly at the teams battling it out for continental football.

Whether it is bodies on the ground, our physical fatigue, or our mentality, Silva’s Fulham just do not have enough in their locker to grab the prize in sight after 38 games.

So, despite a season of far more highs than lows, they will be known as the ‘nearly men’.

But what is next? Our primary mission now must be to thwart rivals Brentford in their mission for Europe. Missing out will sting so much more if the Bees make it to the Conference League – pun fully intended.

If we win at the Gtech Stadium and dent their aspirations, we will better our record points total and equal our highest number of wins in a single season. Then gauging the success of this season becomes harder.

But the best thing about football is that in three months, the table resets and we get to do it all again.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish