Fulham: Premier League Season Preview

With the Premier League season now rapidly approaching, I have decided to take a look at each of the 20 sides that will be playing at the top level of English football during this upcoming season.

I have decided to actually go in reverse order, with Wolverhampton starting the list off and Arsenal concluding it right before the start of the Premier League season.

In the 12th installment of this series, I will now look at Fulham, who finished 12th in the Premier League last season, but were still able to make it to the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, where they lost 2-1 in extra time.

Review of Last Year

After getting the final Europa League spot in the 2008-2009 season, Fulham were able to prove that they were more than worth of that berth by being able to continue their way onto the Europa League final, where they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in extra time.

But despite the Europa League final, Fulham were able to have a solid year in the Premier League by finishing 12th overall, but were not nearly the same side that could beat anyone the season before.

At the end of the season, Roy Hodgson left Craven Cottage for Anfield, with former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes taking over the managerial reigns.

Transfers:

Incoming Players:

Philippe Senderos (Arsenal) and Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich).

Departing Players:

Wayne Brown (Bristol Rovers), Elliot Omozusi (Leyton Orient), Stefan Payne (Gillingham) and Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Fulham Fixture List

All times are GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

1. How will Mark Hughes do at Fulham?

Mark Hughes is now the new manager of Fulham, and he has promised to help the club improve after last year's 12th place finish.

Hughes should do fine, but will he do well enough to get Fulham back into the Europa League is the real question at this time.

2. What new transfers will be coming in?

Hughes has promised to bring in some new transfers to Craven Cottage such as Craig Bellamy, but the Cottagers will need more than just the Welshman to be great this season.

Right now, Roque Santa Cruz, Robert Green and Alex Hleb have all been linked to Fulham, but it still is unclear who will be playing for Fulham.

3. Will Fulham do better without being in the Europa League this season?

Most likely yes, as Fulham will now be fully focused on succeeding in the Premier League instead of making another incredible run to the Europa League final.

4. Will Bobby Zamora have another great season?

Bobby Zamora was absolutely incredible last season as he scored some incredible goals, but barely missed out on making Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup at the end of the day.

This year, Zamora's totals will most likely dip, but Fulham should still succeed no matter what.

For a preview of Liverpool's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Manchester City's Premier League season, please click here.