PAST FLOPS DENT FULHAM’S HOPES

THIS time last season, Fulham were storming into the Championship playoffs on the back of five wins and a draw in six matches. They were every pundit’s tip to win promotion as the team in form. Their play-off semi-final opponents Reading had lost twice in the same period, including 7-1 at Norwich. What happened? Fulham fell at the first hurdle, beaten 2-1 by Reading on aggregate. This year, they arrive as the team in form again, 15 wins and four draws in 19 matches, pushing Cardiff all the way for the second promotion place. And what just happened? An out-of-character 3-1 defeat at Birmingham in the final game of the season. No one will be too cocksure about Friday’s play-off semi-final visit to Derby.