Martin Jol has made a steady start to his managerial career at Fulham.
Progression through the early Europa League qualifiers against teams filled with butchers, bakers and candle-stick makers was to be expected, but the real hard work starts now.
Before Jol took the hot seat at Craven Cottage, the third incumbent in little over a year, he would no doubt have reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the squad he was to inherit.
Two words must have immediately sprung to mind - ageing and threadbare.
There is a core of 14-15 experienced professionals who as a collective have consistently punched above their weight for almost 3 years now, but there is little doubt that Jol has a significant re-building job to do if Fulham are to maintain their place as part of the Premier League establishment in the medium term.
Jol must have received certain assurances about the size of his transfer budget before taking the reigns, but Fulham can't rely on the 'Bank of Al Fayed' forever.
Despite attracting large transfer fees for the likes of Louis Saha, Jimmy Bullard and Chris Smalling over the years, Chairman Mo has invested massively in transfers and wages with nearly every season resulting in a net transfer deficit.
Whether he has the appetite to dig deep into his personal fortune once again remains to be seen, but with little headroom for significant revenue growth and the impending tightening of financial fair play regulations, Fulham may need to change their strategy if they are to remain competitive.
Could it be that one of Chairmain Mo's most consistent and sustained investments, the Fulham Academy will provide the solution?
The Academy system was set up with one overriding objective - to supply ammunition to the first team. But by any measure it has spectacularly failed to produce graduates of the required quality to play in the Premier League.
Sure, some players who learnt their trade within the Fulham Academy system have gone on to carve out solid careers in the professional game. Mark Hudson, Dean Leacock, Liam Fontaine and Darren Pratley have amassed close to 800 league appearances between them, but only Leacock started a game for Fulham in the Premier League.
Other graduates, such as Adam Green and Elliot Omuzusi showed early promise but quickly faded from the scene. Whilst others should never have got a sniff of first team action - step forward Zesh Rehman and Malik Buari.
There are many reasons why the Fulham Academy has failed to deliver over the years, with the main one being the quality of the raw materials being fed into the system.
The development cycle for youth players can take over 10 years, from precocious child to teen sensation and the failure rate at all clubs is alarmingly high.
Fuham's ability to compete for the best raw materials has improved significantly over the past few years and the signs are that it may not be too long before a genuine 'home-grown' talent makes the breakthrough.
However, having the ability to make the grade is only half the battle. For those that go onto to sign a full professional contract, they still have to rely on a manager willing to back them and possibly putting their job on the line by giving them a chance in the Premier League.
Martin Jol's reputation for giving youth a chance is well known and no doubt part of his squad review would have included a close look at the development squad and youth prospects at his disposal.
Already the Dutchman has shown himself more willing than previous managers to give the youngsters an opportunity.
Matt Briggs, the youngest ever Premier League player has had to wait patiently for his big chance since making his debut under Lawrie Sanchez aged just 16 years and 65 days.
His stunning left footed strike against Crusaders and some marauding raids up the left flank have raised the profile of the England U20 international.
The arrival of Jon Arne Riise may limit his immediate chances of regular first team football as a left back, but Briggs has all the attributes to make the grade and given time may even develop into a cultured, ball playing central defender.
On another night the performance of Briggs would have been the biggest plus point of the win in Belfast, but it was the 17 year old Austrian Karim Frei that stole the show.
His pace, balance and trickery were reminiscent of Steed Malbranque (when Steed was good) and whilst you can question the quality of opposition, Frei outshone all of the established players within the Fulham team.
Frei looks like being the first genuine flair player that the Academy has produced and he will surely get more chances to impress this season.
Martin Jol's belief in young players could also pave the way for other prospects that played for the successful U18 team last season and those who were making their first tentative steps on loan in the lower divisions.
Alex Smith a left back has been touted as the best prospect amongst the youngsters whilst Keanu Marsh-Brown, a pacy right sided player enjoyed an impressive loan spell with MK Dons lasts season. At 19, he looked a class above League One standard and if he continues to develop could be another on Martin Jol's radar.
In addition to the home grown talents, Fulham have been actively recruiting youngsters to go straight into the development squad.
Relatively big money was invested in 6ft 6" 19 year old Dan Burn a central defender from Darlington (hopefully he will have more impact than Sean Doherty another youngster parachuted in for big money in the past)
Tom Donegan, another 19 year old from Everton has already tasted competitive first team action alongside striker Lauri Dalla Valle who arrived from the red half of Merseyside with a big reputation.
Whilst there is no doubt that Martin Jol needs to strengthen the squad before the season starts, there are early signs of a youthful tidal wave on the Thames that could rejuvenate and re-energise the current squad over the next 2-3 years.
Maybe, just maybe Chairman Mo's faith in the Fulham Academy will prove to be his shrewdest investment yet.