Why have Fulham thrown away so many leads?

In his debut article, Sam Eccles digs into the reasons behind our dropped points this season.

Fulham have had a decent season. From a record points tally to numerous derby wins, this one will live long in the memory. There is still, however, a lingering whiff of disappointment in the air. Yet, before the curtain raiser at Old Trafford, Opta predicted the whites would finish 12th this season. That is now the lowest we can finish mathematically, so an on or above-par finish is not a bad outcome in the grand scheme of things. Mid-table mediocrity was a heady dream during those darker Championship days, so it’s important we remember how far we’ve come.

Of course, however, success only breeds hunger for more success. Before Brighton’s victory over Liverpool on Monday, our unexpected league form earlier this season meant we could have still finished as high as eighth, potentially qualifying for European football. Only weeks ago, that objective seemed firmly in reach, but with recent losses leaving us to watch that chance slip through our fingers, we’re left with the feeling that the season has too.

Having come so close, you could understand the frustration and boos as the final whistle rang round Craven Cottage after the Everton loss. The game played out like the repeated nightmare we’ve been haunted by all season: Fulham narrowly taking the lead, then capitulating. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably already know Fulham have dropped 28 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, the joint-most of any side (along with Southampton).

Reflecting on this concerning statistic, we’re left wondering: why have we failed to see out winning positions?

Bad Vibes FC

There is much to be said about growing togetherness within a group. It brought us great times under Roy Hodgson, and it’s paid huge dividends to date under Marco Silva. Enjoying each other’s company is crucial, but that must also be balanced with focus and desire to win. It’s important to underline most of us don’t know the players and it goes without saying they are entitled to – and in fact should be encouraged to – pursue lives outside of the game, but the window into them through social media has presented a few causes for concern of late.

Whether it’s one of our own liking Tosin’s derby victory post, Adama Traore wrestling Calvin Bassey to the floor days before that must-win Everton game, or Alex Iwobi facing criticism with his drop in form (despite impressive overall numbers this season) coinciding with the promotion of his latest track on Instagram (not to mention Ryan Sessegnon telling him to “lock in” ahead of our final two games while he was filming a TikTok).

This pattern of behaviour doesn’t exactly project a winning mentality in the dressing room. It must be said, successful Premier League teams of the past were infamous off the pitch too, but these teams fulfilled their potential. It’s at the very least questionable whether Fulham have this season.

It’s uncomfortable to talk about our own players in this way, but that’s only because we know their potential if they can perform consistently. Once again, most of us don’t know these players and they no doubt all care. The question is, however, whether the mentality is right.

Oh Captain, which Captain?

In the past two seasons, Fulham have waved goodbye to Tim Ream, Aleksander Mitrovic, Bobby  De Cordova-Reid and Joao Palhinha. These players were all leaders on and off the pitch and set standards. Looking at who we’ve brought in, while mostly great additions, they probably haven’t completely filled that leadership void. With Cairney and Reed also facing reduced game time this season and possibly on the way out, it only raises further concerns about the future leadership figures within the dressing room.

Fulham must cultivate and recruit new leaders ahead of the 2025/26 season if we are to realise our European ambitions. Candidates in the squad who need to step up include Bernd Leno, Joachim Andersen, Raul Jimenez, Jedi and Sess. They’ve demonstrated leadership qualities. It’s now time they raise the bar.

The chopping and changing of the on-field captain hasn’t helped either, so Silva needs to take some responsibility here too. He must find Cairney’s long-term successor. If he can secure a regular starting spot, which is a big if, then Sess is surely the rightful heir.

Lack of quality

Fulham have lacked strength in depth in the wide and attacking areas during the second half of this season. It’s been suggested this may be why our season has tailed off, but giving up winning positions to West Ham, Aston Villa and Manchester City in the first half of the season suggests our failure to see out wins is down to something else. Goals from TC and Harry Wilson on Sunday also secured a record-breaking (another one for Marco) 17 goals from substitutes in a single Premier League season, further suggesting our bench isn’t the issue.

Perhaps then, it’s the overall quality of the squad that’s at least part of this puzzle. Quality will be an equally important focus as leadership during this summer’s transfer window. That perfect mix is near impossible to find in today’s market, but players like Reiss Nelson, Ross Barkley, James McAtee, Jack Grealish and possibly Raheem Sterling may be a starting point. With Raul aging and Vinicius’s wrestling career beckoning, Kasper Dolberg may also be a longer term competitor for the number nine spot too.

Before the start of the season, if you had told the average Fulham fan we had a chance of finishing in the top half of the table and an outside shot of Europe with two games to go, they would have snapped your hand off. Indeed, if you offered our position to any Fulham fan during the Felix Magath years, they’d do the same.

Yet it’s also fair to argue that when chances to qualify for Europe present themselves to teams like Fulham, they have to take them, no matter what the pre-season ambitions may have been. That’s where the frustration lies, and no Fulham fan should think they are getting above their station for feeling that way.

However, if we recruit well this summer and cultivate leaders in the squad, a European future may await us.