The capture of Eidur Gudjohnsen on a permanent basis will be valuable asset for the amount of games that will need to be played in the Europa League next season. Injury to John Paintsil saw Chris Baird play at right back for a lot of the season and did such a good job that it ended up exposing Paintsil’s defensive frailties and established Baird as the first team full back.
The £5 million signing of Moussa Dembele from AZ Alkmaar was a good enough attacking investment in the absence of Zamora. With a keen eye for goal and technically gifted, Dembele brought an injection of strength into the team combining effectively with Andy Johnson. Gael Kakuta, brought on loan from Chelsea, did not really get enough game time to prove why Chelsea made such a enthusiastic bid to sign him resulting in a two transfer window ban a few seasons ago.
Danny Murphy firmly established the reason why he is club captain, controlling the pace of games and trying to build the offensive moves. In the end, it appeared quite fitting that he should be the Premier League player with the most touches of the ball throughout the season.
Whoever takes over at Fulham as manager will inherit a group of very close knit players who have throughout the past few seasons been together on a journey to the Europa League final as well as working closely with two coaches who concentrated on defensive and offensive philosophies respectively. Hughes was indeed adamant that the Cottagers are a top ten side and his nine or so months in charge proved that he was indeed correct.
Fulham must use this platform to build and bring in a coach with a more long term mindset. Signings must be made in the summer to reinforce the squad to allow for a sufficient run in the Europa League. It will be the manager’s choice what priorities to take up, whether it be a higher Premier League finish or an attempt to conquer Europe.
Although there is no doubt that Hughes’ resignation is unfortunate, it is definitely worth looking at it from a positive point of view. The tenure of Hodgson and Hughes has done great things for the club, and with good managers around at the moment who are out of work, Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed will take this chance to improve the club’s position and try to find a successor who will go on to build on the success of the past few seasons.
Hughes may be looking ahead for better things, but then again so are Fulham.
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