Felix Magath has warned Fulham face a tough task to win promotion at the first attempt after a summer overhaul at Craven Cottage.
The German boss has cleared the decks after a disastrous campaign that saw them relegated to the Championship after a 13-year stay in the top flight.
New skipper Scott Parker could be the sole survivor from the side that finished last season when they line up at Ipswich this afternoon as Magath relies on the club’s promising crop of youngsters, an influx of foreign players and £11million signing Ross McCormack.
And the Whites manager says it is a long-term plan to turnaround Fulham’s fortunes and there is no fast-track back to the Premier League, despite being one of the favourites.
He said: “I have heard this league is tough. It is a league where everybody can beat each other. We have made a lot of changes but it was necessary. The club will have a great future.
“This is a change of philosophy. In the past, there was maybe one player from the academy making one or two appearances, but not one coming through.
“We have added six players from the academy. It was difficult for the players last season perhaps for motivation, but it will never be a problem for me. I started in the fourth league and I’m used to working in lower leagues.
“I was looking for club who was struggling and wanting to rebuild - and that is Fulham.
“You always have a risk but you need the philosophy. If you are afraid, you will not be successful, only hiding and trying to avoid mistakes.
“I want my team to go forward and attack, to play, to try to score. That’s the way we will play in the future. It takes a bit of time.”
Magath was slaughtered by former captain Brede Hangeland over his gruelling training methods after he was released in the summer.
However, the Cottage chief claims his regime will stand his players in good stead for the 46-game Championship campaign.
He added: “We have the fittest squad, no doubt about it. I’m not scared about the amount of games because we did a lot of work in pre-season.
“We prepared the players very well and they have improved. I am totally convinced that we are able to play, not just in the Championship, but in the other competitions as well.”
