Fulham must turn unbeaten streak 'into season-defining run'

We are experiencing first-hand the difference between an unbeaten run and a winning run.

It's been eight games since our last defeat, our capitulation at home against Wolves in November.

That's impressive for a club like us – and is one game shy of our record, achieved in 2008-09, which was the season we achieved our highest finish and points total, under Roy Hodgson.

But during this current run we have won just two games out of the eight. It means we have amassed 12 points from a possible 24 – the equivalent of winning four and losing four.

It sounds dramatic, but digging deeper into the run, we might see it as the period we lost the chance to create something special this season.

Do not get me wrong, some of the draws have been incredible; a point against Arsenal at the Cottage, a draw against Liverpool at Anfield (though the Reds equalised late on).

But the real problem is dropping points against teams we should be beating. Draws against Southampton and Ipswich at home. Conceding late at home against Bournemouth.

We have taken just seven points from 18 against teams in the bottom five. Those games should be our bread and butter. Gain just four more points from that (by finishing the job against the Saints and Tractor Boys, for example), and we would be firmly in contention for Europe. But as it stands, we're in danger of watching the top six pull away.

That record unbeaten run in 08-09 yielded three wins and six draws. A win against West Ham would bring this run level with that in terms of points accrued, ahead of a trip to relegation-threatened Leicester.

That would keep us close to the rest of the pack. The focus now must be on turning this into a season-defining run – and ultimately a European one.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish