Fulham 'close to breaking through next ceiling'
It feels slightly cruel that Fulham did not finish in the top half of the Premier League table.
They flirted with the idea of European football for months, and 11th just does not feel like a justifiable ending given some of their performances.
What is interesting about Marco Silva's side is that they do not fall into the 'flat track bully' category. They have been as good - if not better - at getting points off top-half sides compared with games against those struggling. That should offer a lot of encouragement.
Clearly, consistency has been their nemesis in recent months. But Fulham are close to breaking through the next ceiling under Silva. He has shown that this season by leading the club to their record Premier League points tally.
But how does he turn them into a team that can become a more regular fixture among those jostling for Europe? As ever, it will probably come down to investment.
Silva's standing and respect as manager is strong enough now for him to openly call out what he feels he needs to get there. He said after the defeat by Manchester City on Sunday that he "wants to keep improving, but we have to have the same tools as the other clubs".
That is his less-than-subtle way of asking to be backed in the transfer market.
There is always a balance to be found with these situations, but I think most Fulham fans are realistic enough to recognise that if the club are to kick on again under Silva, he is going to need to spend this summer.
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