The Tanner Report: Fulham 1 Crystal Palace 1

I did an unusual thing last Saturday. After speaking to Pargie I backed the draw he had predicted as “nailed on”. Actually Crystal Palace had enough chances and possession to win.

I did recall – after a promotion under Scott Parker – Fulham ‘s ‘welcome to the Premiership ‘ game was against Palace who beat us comfortably that day and we were ultimately relegated.

Now we are a safe middle of the table side. You achieve this with a good coach, shrewd dealings in the market, managing fan expectation and some luck. Even in mid-table you cannot be complacent. There is normally a mid-table team like Southampton that gets relegated.

Fulham have recently bought well in acquiring Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.

Tosin wants to leave which means centre back, with Tim Ream now 35, requires replacement.

We probably also need a striker and Willian is now 35. Keeper Bernd Leno is reliable and Fulham’s route to goal, as exemplified by the Muniz strike, is a cross from the wing from the overlapping full back – in this case Tim Castagne .

Two coastal clubs that support my non-complacent theory are Bournemouth and Brighton. Bournemouth, who are the Premier’s form team, lying tenth after beating Brighton 3-0.

Conversely, for all the positive publicity he attracts, Roberto de Zerbi has not had much success latterly. Ivan Conway thinks he will return to Italy.

Fulham ‘s last 3 games are Brentford away , Manchester City at home and Luton away. It would be pleasing to get enough points to overtake Brighton and win the Tanner/Conway bragging rights