Manager: Jean Tigana

Having originally tried to buy Chelsea, Mohamed al-Fayed is employing much the same route to the big time down the road, where a well-connected manager is attempting to spend wisely rather than widely. So far it has all been going nicely and a solid mid-table showing this year should provide the basis for increased ambition in a year's time. Tigana's men play nice football and there is plenty of interesting talent from the continent. The side also retains a strong contingent of locals, who have been allowed to grow with the team. If van der Sar recovers the confidence he appeared to lose at Juventus last season, then he will be a very good buy, but one way or the other, the French coach has mixed his ingredients well.

In: Luis Boa Morte (Southampton, £1.6m); Abdeslam Ouaddou (Nancy, £2m); Sean Doherty (Everton, £650,000); Edwin vsan der Sar (Juventus, £7m), Steed Malbranque (Lyon, £4.5m), Jon Harley (Chelsea, £3.5) Total £19.25m.

Out: Simon Morgan (Brighton, free); Terry Phelan (Sheff Utd, free); Wayne Collins (released); Nicholas Sahnoun (released); James Bittner (released); Jacopo Galbiati (released); Alan Neilson (released); Karl Heinz Riedle (released); Paul Peschisolido (Sheffield United, £150,000). Total £150,000 Net spend: £19.1m.

Rep of Ireland players: Steve Finnan.

Last year: Div 1: champions, FAC: 3rd.

This year: 17th.

Official website: www.fulhamfc.co.uk

Betting: 40-1