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Ross McCormack admits Fulham have got what they deserved from a dismal first season in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League.
The striker, an £11million summer signing from Leeds, also called for a number of new signings if the club are going to challenge for promotion next season.
Kit Symons’ side only secured their Championship status last week after a torrid campaign in which they took just one point from their first eight games under former manager Felix Magath.
“I’ve enjoyed the season but it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster,” admitted the Scot, who took his tally for the campaign to 19 with a hat-trick in Saturday’s stunning 4-3 win over promotion-chasing Middlesbrough. “The start of the season wasn’t the best. Kit came in and had a honeymoon period when we picked up 27 points from 14 games.
“If you pro rata that over the course of the season it’s promotion form but unfortunately we couldn’t keep that up and this league definitely doesn’t feel sorry for anyone. We are where we are because we deserve it.”
But with Symons and owner Shahid Khan stating they will look to invest heavily in the summer McCormack feels Fulham have the basis of a side that can compete at the top of the Championship.
“The manager and the owner have said the recruitment needs to be right in the summer and I agree with that to give us the best possible chance.
“When we get it right with this squad, we can beat anyone in the league. We’ve done it against Derby and Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage but over the course of the season it’s not been good enough, so over the summer there’s certain things that have got to be addressed.”
And McCormack admitted the victory over Middlesbrough summed up a season in which Fulham’s tally of 79 goals conceded was the second highest in the Championship.
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The 28-year-old added: “The spirit and fight was there against Middlesbrough but it’s possibly the story of our season. We’ve scored quite a few goals and let more than a few in.
“That’s not me passing the buck on to the defenders because it’s throughout the team that it’s not been good enough, so there are things that we need to address in the close season.
“The win doesn’t paper over the cracks. A lot of things need to be looked at over the summer.”
