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As Club Captain, Danny Murphy has bared witness to the Club's remarkable evolution under Roy Hodgson at close quarters. In the space of 12 months Fulham's Manager took the Club from relegation candidates to being a consistent top ten Premier League team and Murphy, enjoying an outstanding season in the heart of midfield, is clearly enjoying life at Craven Cottage under Hodgson's stewardship.
"The fact is that he changed the way we were playing," Murphy explained. "He made us more of a footballing team. He brought in some of his own personnel and changed a few players which helped because he brought in some really good players. Then he did the same this pre-season, making some really astute signings. If you look at our squad – as well as team – compared to last year, it’s a more experienced squad.
"Of course, as time has progressed under Roy, the way he wants us to play – the style, the pattern of play that he wants – has got better because we’ve worked on it. That does take time. When he first came in, it did take time. But we had improved by the end of last season and we’ve continued that, and that’s credit to him and his staff, and to the players he’s brought in.
“Together, we’ve all knitted in and moved forward now. We’re far from being the finished article. We’re not silly enough to sit here and say we’re a great side because we have our weaknesses like every team. We’ve struggled on the road to score goals and get points and that’s been a disappointment but overall in terms of the bigger picture, the fans, staff and players all feel like we’re moving forward. There’s a spring in the step of everyone at the club.”
Hodgson's starting eleven has more or less remained the same all season and Murphy believes that such a display of faith in a group of players pays dividends for the Club out on the pitch.
"The majority of the Team has stayed the same for most of the season. With that comes good relationships on the pitch and players feel that if they have a bad game, two bad games or even a bad half hour, they’re not going to be replaced. To me, as a player, generally even though you want competition for places to make it a healthier squad, you want some loyalty when you’re playing to give allow a bit of time to impose yourself.
"The Gaffer does that here – he doesn’t rotate that much or change things around and panic just because we have the odd bad result – which is a good thing. You get stability that way. For me, that’s something that’s always helped me flourish when a manager shows good faith in me and gives me time to evolve and build confidence, because you then feel that you can express yourself."
