Brede Hangeland has pinpointed Fulham's defensive strength as a key factor in last season's success.
Just a year after avoiding relegation on the last day of the campaign, the Cottagers achieved their highest Premier League finish to qualify for Europe.
Roy Hodgson's men secured seventh spot and much of that is down to the new-found solidity at the back.
Fulham conceded just 34 goals in their 38 Barclays Premier League matches, the fourth best record in the division.
Only the top three sides - Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea - conceded fewer goals than Fulham.
FOUR DOGS
Hangeland took most of the plaudits but he has been quick to share the credit with his defensive partners and with the rest of the team.
He told the official club website: "I think Aaron (Hughes) is a top class player. He's a true professional and we have a good understanding at the back, me, Aaron, Johnny (Pantsil), Konch (Paul Konchesky) and Mark (Schwarzer).
"There's been a lot of talk about the back five but the reason why we didn't concede too many goals was because the whole team worked very hard when we didn't have the ball. That started from the front players, then the four dogs in midfield running their socks off.
"That made it a little bit easier for the back four and the goalkeeper. It's a team effort going forward as well as defending. That was one of the key points the manager wanted to get across to us players - we all work for each other and there are no 'star men' in the team, there's only the team."
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