Fulham 2015/16 Season
League Position: 20th (2014/15: 17th)
Average league attendance: 17,566 (2014/15: 18,276)
Top league goalscorer: Ross McCormack (21)
If Fulham fans thought that the only way was up following their 17th placed finish after the 2014/15 campaign then they were to be disappointed as another year of relegation struggle resulted in The Cottagers' finishing fifth from bottom last season. It wasn't dull in South West London though as Fulham fans saw a league high 145 goals in 46 matches.
Still carrying an inflated Premier League squad a dozen players including Costa Rican forward Bryan Ruiz [Sporting Lisbon], Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg [Southampton], Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega [Akhisar B], young star Patrick Roberts [Manchester City] and pricey winger Kostas Mitroglou [Benfica] all left the club in July or August. Their replacements were a mix of youth and experience as Tom Cairney [Blackburn Rovers], Ashley Richards [Swansea City], Jamie O'Hara [Blackpool], Tim Ream [Bolton Wanderers], and Richard Stearman [Wolverhampton Wanderers] were among eight new faces.
The initial signs were that it would be another long-season for The Whites as they took just 14 points from their opening 12 matches, however a 4-0 local derby win over Queens Park Rangers did brighten the mood around The Cottage. Heavy back-to-back wins over Reading and Bristol City in October moved The Whites into the top ten, but that was as good as it got. A 5-2 defeat at home to Birmingham City a week late signalled the end of Kit Symonds reign and by the time his permanent replacement, Slaviša Jokanović, was appointed in late December, Fulham had dropped to 18th.
The January window allowed The Whites to freshen up a squad in danger of slipping into trouble at the bottom of the table. Four new loan deals brought Michael Madl [Sturm Graz], Chris Baird [Derby County], Zakaria Labyad [Sporting Lisbon] and Rohan Ince [Brighton & Hove Albion] to the Club. However, the SW6 outfit picked up just three wins in Jokanović's first three months in charge to enter April just a point above the drop zone. A crucial 2-1 win over MK Dons gave them breathing space and they followed up that success with wins over Preston North End and Cardiff City to ensure survival. A 3-0 defeat to Brentford on the penultimate day of the season meant that The Whites' wait for a win over The Bees was extended to four matches before a 1-0 final day win over Bolton Wanderers. Tightening a leaky defence will be Jokanović's main join this summer as only Bolton and Charlton Athletic shipped more goals than Fulham in the Championship but, with Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele in fine form, The Cottagers' scored more goals that second-placed Middlesbrough.
The Ground
Craven Cottage Stevenage Road London SW6 6HH Click here for directions to Craven Cottage
The Manager
Slaviša Jokanović became Fulham’s seventh manager, including interim bosses, in three seasons when he was appointed in December. The 47-year-old gained managerial experience in Serbia, Thailand, Belgium and Spain before moving to Watford last season. Under his guidance they were promoted to the Premier League, but he left in the summer.
A defensive midfielder in his playing days, he spent the majority of his career in Spain but had two seasons with Chelsea before hanging up his boots. Slav was also capped six times for Yugoslavia before the breakup of the country, leading to 58 more caps for newly formed Serbia and Montenegro.
The First Meeting
22 December 1928, Football League Division Three South - Brentford 1 Fulham 2 Brentford: Bailey, Herod, Winship, Davies, Beacham, ,Ware, Sherlaw, Lane, Watkins, Drinnan, Douglas The Bees slide down the table continues after 13th game without a win
The Last Meeting
30 April 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Brentford 3 Fulham 0 Brentford: Button, Colin, Dean, Barbet, Field, Yennaris, Woods, Canos, Kerschbaumer, Saunders, Hogan Scott Hogan nets twice as Whites blown away in first-half
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 18 Draws: 14 Fulham wins: 19