Meet the opposition | Fulham
As Swansea City get set to head to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, we take a closer look at the Cottagers.
What's their story?
London’s oldest club, Fulham spent 13 consecutive seasons in the Premier League from 2001 until 2014, which saw them become an established top-flight team.
Under the guidance of Roy Hodgson, they reached their highest-ever league placing with seventh during the 2008-09 season, and reached the Europa League final in 2010 only to be defeated 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in Hamburg.
A turbulent campaign saw Fulham relegated at the end of the 2013-14 season; and their two returns to the top-flight since have ended in immediate relegation with them now once again back in the Championship.
How's their form?
Inconsistent after a superb start. Fulham hit the ground running on their return to the second tier, dropping just two points from the first 15 available.
They secured convincing wins over Huddersfield, Birmingham and Stoke, but have since suffered defeat to Blackpool and Reading.
They played out a draw against Bristol City at the weekend, with a failure to convert chances proving costly at Ashton Gate.
Who's the boss?
Marco Silva. The Portuguese is back in football having taken a break following his departure from Everton in December of 2019.
A defender during his playing days, the now 44-year-old started his managerial career by guiding second-tier Estoril to the title and a top-flight return after a seven-year absensce.
Stints with Sporting Lisbon - where he won the Portuguese Cup - and Olympiacos - where the league title was secured - followed before he made the move to English football with Hull in January 2017.
Their impressive home form nearly saw him guide the Tigers to safety, but they were relegated and he departed to take over at Watford.
He made a fine start to life at Vicarage Road before an alarming loss of form saw him depart and he subsequently joined Everton in the summer of 2018.
Who's the captain?
Tim Ream. Tom Cairney has been Fulham's club captain over recent seasons, but the midfielder is currently sidelined by a knee injury.
That has seen American defender Ream take the armband, with the 33-year-old having been with the Cottagers since 2015.
He has made over 200 appearances since and was a key part of their promotion campaigns in 2018 and 2020.
He started his career in his homeland with Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls, before joining Bolton in 2012.
Who are the key men?
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a devastating goalscorer at Championship level during his time with the Cottagers.
The Serbian has scored 45 goals in 66 appearances for them in the second tier, and already has seven goals in nine league outings this term.
Summer signing Harry Wilson has enjoyed a fine start to life in Fulham colours with three goals to his name already.
Elsewhere, they have the experience of Ream and Dennis Odoi to call on at the back, while Harrison Reed, Nathaniel Chalobah and Josh Onomah offer no shortage of quality or work-rate in the middle of the park.
