Transfer troubles and defensive disarray – 5 reasons Fulham have been relegated

Fulham have been relegated from the Premier League following a 4-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday evening.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at just what went wrong at Craven Cottage this season.

Fingers burned

Fulham broke their transfer record three times in spending over £100million last summer, but of their permanent buys only Aleksandar Mitrovic could be considered a relative success. Jean Michael Seri and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, who cost around £55m between them, have been huge disappointments.

Stubborn Slavisa

Ran out of ideas

Claudio Ranieri was brought in to replace Jokanovic and attempt to shore up the defence. Ultimately the Italian, a title winner with Leicester, failed as their rearguard remained comfortably the worst in the top flight despite his defensive mindset. Ranieri’s unwillingness to use previously key men such as captain Tom Cairney and full-back Ryan Sessegnon also frustrated supporters and he was sacked in February.

Kamara trouble

No case for the defence