CARL COURT/AFP/Getty ImagesWith an inauspicious fixtures list looming, Martin Jol's Fulham side desperately need all three points this weekend versus Wigan.

It sounds trite, but Fulham fans are living through sombre times, so three points from Saturday's game with Wigan is critical if Fulham are to keep their heads above the relegation waters. More telling, how important would a convincing win be in rebuilding team confidence. Various pundits have tagged this a relegation six pointer. It's not quite that yet for the Whites -- with 24 points we still sit with a margin of safety, but it's shrinking. Manchester City next at their place, then bogey side West Ham, and Manchester United to come, only increases the pressure to see off Wigan and put space between our two clubs.

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It's just six wins all season for Martin Jol's side from a campaign that started with so much promise. Anyone care to predict where the next six might come from to guarantee safety for another year in the EPL? On paper, Wigan at home must represent one of those six, our recent record over them is a strong one, and we are out to do the double Saturday against an injury-weakened side that are also missing top scorer Arouna Kone due to the African Cup of Nations. Further form pointers, Wigan have lost six of their last eight. They have also not been able to beat the Whites in the last 12 match-ups.

But I have a lot of time for Roberto Martinez. He is largely responsible for the success Swansea are now enjoying. He performed wonders in keeping Wigan alive last season, and then showed his loyalty to owner Dave Whelan by turning down an approach from Liverpool. He also tries to play football the right way. There's a liberal dose of Latin flair through the ranks at the DW, as you might expect from the Spaniard. Fulham please take note: it's going to be my next crusade to see the Whites attract a Spaniard to our setup by the Thames.

Now to our man at the helm. Although I have taken some flak from other forums this week for being overly negative, what do we make of today's story for 'The Sun'? Ignore my carping if you wish, but the revelation that, "Fulham are relying on Lady Luck for help in the transfer window," and that Jol apparently has little money to spend has sent Twitter into overdrive. The first statement does not smack of a well-run club working with a rigid business plan. The second, the fact that the purse strings are tight is at odds with everything fans have believed since September when we cashed in on the sales of Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey.

You sense the ground is being laid for a window that provides little succour from the need for reinforcements. Forget the links then with the likes of Darren Bent or Jordan Henderson. At best it seems we will again be looking for mediocrity, bargain buys and loanees. Before I jump off the ledge, Jol surely is not the architect behind this risky strategy. So we will reserve judgment here. A man of his experience must know this current Fulham IX is of a level to make mid-table in the Eredivisie -- certainly some way off making the top six in England.

Therefore finances are being dictated by the board. Have they rumbled Jol? As they stare out across the wintry landscape from the Craven Cottage balcony, are they asking where is the exciting, sexy attacking football they were promised? Why does the make-up of the team's average age stubbornly remain so high? Despite all the investment in youth, why is our best player on current form a 35-year-old Greek midfielder on a short contract? Why does our club captain not show any inclination to sign a new contract?

When you publicly humiliate a player by telling him he's not good enough to wear the shirt, nor fit enough, and in the same week put him in the side, I think as a manager you are asking for trouble. Any board must think twice about writing out more cheques for two million pounds on such evidence. I'm resigned to watching QPR, Everton, Newcastle, Spurs and the rest now recruit all those names linked to Fulham over the past months.

Starting with Wigan, we have to get out of this current mess and regroup in the summer. The team is bolstered by the return to fitness of Mark Schwartzer, Mladen Petric, Damien Duff and, er, John Arne Riise (recall at your peril) -- none of them spring chickens, while Wigan, fighting for their lives again, will put up a battling show no doubt. As per so many games this season, any result is possible. Should Wigan score first, we will lose. A draw looks a good bet. Anything less than a win will keep us on edge for the rest of the month. I'll be cheering as hard as anyone tomorrow, and I never shout abuse at players on the pitch, but we are sailing through choppy waters. Let us please, at least, see a sleeves rolled-up approach from the side which shows they realise the predicament we are in. Just two wins in 14, need I remind you.

COYW!

Twitter@fulhamphil

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