DOUGIE Freedman plans to go back to basics at Fulham tomorrow night and he may start by looking at his back line.

Wanderers have chalked up just one win so far – at home against Rotherham – in a poor start that is not too dissimilar to last season.

And as the Whites boss puts together his plans for Craven Cottage, he certainly has plenty to think about at both ends of the pitch.

Goals have been hard to come by but the defence has been just as much a concern with just one clean sheet so far this campaign.

A succession of injuries has not helped the cause with David Wheater (back) and Marc Tierney (foot) still absent, while Dean Moxey and Kevin McNaughton have also hed spells in the treatment room.

The goalkeeping situation has also seen Adam Bogdan out and Paddy Kenny drafted in as cover for Andy Lonergan. But even with those issues, there have been constant selection changes at the back, which can hardly have helped.

Freedman is clearly searching for his best back four and needs to get them gelling.

A solid base is crucial for any team that cherishes success and it is something the Whites have distinctly lacked this season.

In 12 matches in league and cup, Freedman has utilised eight different back-four combinations, using nine players.

On only three occasions has he kept faith with the same quartet – made up of Tim Ream, Matt Mills, Dorian Dervite and Dean Moxey – who kept that solitary shutout against Sheffield Wednesday.

They played in successive matches against the Owls, Rotherham and Wolves before Ream was omitted for the Capital One Cup clash at Chelsea.

Prior to that, Ream had been an ever-present, albeit in a variety of positions, with vice captain Matt Mills now the one with the most appearances having sat out just one of the dozen games.

And while last season’s player of the year was also on the sidelines in the weekend defeat to Derby, Ream appreciates the importance of stability at the back.

He said before the weekend clash: “Continuity is a big thing in the back line and the last couple of games, apart from a few mishaps, there has been a good understanding.

“We defend crosses fairly well for the most part, win our headers and tackles.

“They (other teams) are always going to get in here or there but it is a decent unit.”

Whoever is picked for the trip to Fulham, sticking rather than twisting is a policy that is more likely to bear fruit and provide that base to build from.