How high can Fulham finish this season?

It was not long ago that, when we were thinking about Fulham’s possible league position at the end of this season, there was really only one answer on people’s lips: relegation.

But fast forward a period of weeks and the club are on the up.

After three straight defeats to kick off the season, against Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, it seemed quite inevitable that Fulham would be in a relegation dogfight.

But Alvaro Arbeloa, who came under particular scrutiny for the manner in which Fulham were defeated by Palace, has since made some key tweaks.

Those, as well as the welcome arrival to the starting XI of centre-back David Affengruber and midfielder Shea Charles, have seen a revival of the Cottagers’ form.

They have since picked up two wins, three draws and have only been defeated once, in another questionable display of tactics from Arbeloa at Ipswich, in their last six matches.

Fulham’s poor start means that form sees them only in 15th, but the signs are there that they may be about to push much higher.

Affengruber has shored up the defence, which leaked seven goals in the opening three matches of the season and has conceded just four in the last six.

Fulham have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, scoring only once in their last five matches and now going at one goal per game.

But the signs are there that that could change at any minute, with plenty of chances being created and missed, which, as Arbeloa himself has said, is a far better problem to have than not creating anything at all.

So, the big question with all of that is now just how high Fulham can finish this season?

The Cottagers have made some quite substantial progress in the past month since resuming from the elongated September/October international break, and that is clear for all to see.

They have shot up the expected goals table, now sitting eighth and having quashed what was an initially leaky defence; the only thing that needs to come now are the goals at the other end.

I have spoken at length about Fulham’s inability to put the ball in the back of the net and how they sit in terms of expected goals.

But the football being played and coached is too good to go down.

The stats tell one story in particular.

Fulham have had the fifth most possession in the Premier League and are third for total passes as well as second for corners taken.

But where the problems come in is simply putting the ball in the back of the net.

Fulham are ninth for total shots taken but joint 14th for goals scored; Only Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have scored fewer.

And having taken as many shots as they have but scoring only nine goals - Fulham are 18th for goals per shot and rock bottom for goals per shot on target, with just 17% of Fulham’s shots on target resulting in a goal.

So when looking at the initial question of just how high Fulham can finish, it depends entirely on whether or not they can fix their issue in front of goal.

If they move up those metrics, then it could be a great season, and the Cottagers could finish in the top half of the table.

But if not… Then expect Fulham to be one of the most stylish sides in a relegation battle.