Fulham sit firmly in mid-table after a strong September saw them make amends for a poor start.

Kit Symons' men have already suffered the extremes of football this season, from an emphatic derby victory to last-gasp heartbreak.

But while the Whites eye up a promotion challenge, they will need to learn from mistakes made - and there were plenty - to maintain a high level of performance.

Here are five problems the Cottagers should be looking to rectify over the break.

Consistent performance levels

Despair: Fulham ravaged by Wolves after QPR joy

As a squad, Fulham’s performances have been inconsistent, as they endured moments of wonder and woe.

They failed to win any of their opening four games before winning three of the next four in the Championship.

After smashing neighbours Queens Park Rangers at home, the Whites were thrashed by Wolves on their own turf before conceding a two-goal lead at Charlton late on.

No team can earn promotion from England's second tier without being consistent - this will be one of Symons' primary concerns.

Defending

Retrieving the ball: Fulham need to address defensive problems

The Whites’ defensive record hasn’t deserved any praise for quite some time - with Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes the last solid partnership in the back-line.

Fulham's manager did his best to address these issues by signing Richard Stearman, Tim Ream, Ryan Fredericks, James Husband, Luke Garbutt and Jazz Richards over the summer.

But although they kept their first clean sheet of the season against QPR, they followed up by conceding five goals in a week to Wolves and Charlton.

Some heavy coaching at Motspur Park will be required over the break.

Substitutions and squad depth

Regular sub: Cauley Woodrow has often made an appearance from the bench

Fulham’s substitutions throughout have signalled that the Whites will need to address their squad depth over the coming transfer window, or perhaps even in the loan market.

That isn't to say they don't have a big squad. There are plenty on the books who aren't seeing game time, like Nikolai Bodurov for a start.

But it is a matter of quality. Bringing on former Basel man Kay Voser or Cauley Woodrow are fair choices if the side are in cruise control.

But the Whites had a notable lack of stability in their most recent match against Charlton, and after Moussa Dembele was hauled off they missed the Frenchman's ability to hold the ball.

Concentration levels

Bad night: Andy Lonergan

The Whites have a chronic inability to see out a narrow lead stretching back to the Premier League era.

They have dropped an astonishing eight points already from their opening 10 matches as a result of conceding goals after the 86th minute alone.

And their recent two goal capitulation at the hands of Charlton will do little to assure fans they have addressed early-season blips.

In fact, if games finished after 45 minutes this season, the Cottagers would be seventh in the league.

Determination

Boling pont: Jamie O'Hara exhibits the grit and steel required throughout the side

Perhaps intertwined with the concentration issue, Fulham have a problem defending with backs to the wall, where the lack of a back-up plan, is clearly evident.

As a result, the defence caves rapidly under any sustained attack.

Most of the top Championship sides are able to adapt to the game in order to gain a gritty result, be it a win or draw.

And until the Cottagers learn that lesson, they will remain entrenched in mid-table.

poll loading

What is Fulham's biggest issue?