Fulham’s league progress has dwindled in recent weeks with their impressive cup performances which now see then in the semi finals of the Europa League. However it is more than likely that Roy will not get substantial funds to break the bank next season and start bringing in record signing after record signing. It is hardly the correct time to do so either for ninety percent of clubs in the English game the message must be to consolidate by remaining in the league their playing in now. Instead of spending millions of pounds, making the club financially unstable by breaking wage structures and contract policies.

I see Fulham now in a position Everton were in a few years ago where they struggled to be consistent season after season. One season they would finish strongly the next they would not really do much more than comfortably survive relegation. They relied on key players being consistent week in week out but those players were either inconsistent or they simply had a season where they played the best football for a long time.

I would certainly put Duff and Zamora in that category. Duff has had his best season for me since he left Chelsea in 2006 and this is the best season Zamora has had since he left Brighton for Spurs in 2003. Hodgson’s squad average age hits a leggy 29, and his best performers this season have been his most experienced. It must have been disappointing for the fans to see Chris Smalling leave the club despite the profit made considering he came from non league football.

The strength of his teams beyond all doubt has been his ability to get the best from the players he has available. Take each player as an individual and Fulham look as ordinary as Stoke or Birmingham. With Roy being a bit of a wheeler and dealer it would be nice to see some of the Championships hot prospects being given the chance to prove themselves.

With the ageing legs of those that have carried Fulham so far players like Adel Taarabt, Joe Ledley, or even Kris Commons could prove shrewd signings in what is surely a transitional period from now on for Hodgson however the season may end for his team.

Written by Darren Wells-Burr