Konch Targets Century

So seamlessly has Paul Konchesky settled into life at Craven Cottage, it would be easy to think that he has been wearing the white of Fulham for most of his career.

In fact, the Barking-born defender entered this, his third season with the Club, having experienced two distinctly contrasting campaigns since joining from West Ham United in July 2007.

In that time he has seen a lot; players have come and gone, a new Manager has been installed and the Club has risen from the depths of the drop zone to last term’s seventh place in the Barclays Premier League.

What hasn’t changed, however, is Konch’s unshakable commitment to the cause and unrelenting passion for the game.

“It feels like I have been a Fulham player for a lot longer than two-and-a-bit years,” reveals Paul. “If anything, it feels like I’ve been with the Club for five or six. But that’s actually a good thing – it shows that I am settled here.

“But I would love to be here for that long, because I’ve loved every minute so far, and I can only see my time at the Club getting better.

“My first two seasons have been totally different - I couldn’t have experienced two more contrasting campaigns. The first year I signed I thought that we would do well but we ended up having to battle it out until the end.

“But then last year really confirmed what I had originally thought. With the players and staff that we have we should be looking at the top half of the table rather than the bottom. So last season’s transformation really didn’t surprise me. Hopefully my third year at the Club will be just as memorable.”

The 28-year-old is fast approaching a century of games in a Fulham shirt having made over 80 appearances for the Whites.

“It will be an achievement reaching 100 games for Fulham,” he explains. “It’s always a bit of a landmark playing that amount of games for a club. I’ve had a few clubs in the past but the only team I reached triple figures for was Charlton, where I spent eight seasons.”

An impressive striker of the ball, Konch notched his second goal for the Club in Fulham’s recent home match against Everton, having scored his first against West Ham at Upton Park in January.

And whilst his strike against Everton was not quite as spectacular as his previous effort, it proved ultimately more significant as it drew his team level, and provided the springboard for an impressive comeback.

“It did come at an important time,” he reflects. “Danny’s free-kick hit the wall and fell in my path. I hit it well, and it was one of those that could have gone anywhere, but fortunately the ball made its way past Tim Howard.

“It probably wasn’t as spectacular as my one last season, but nevertheless it made a difference. I don’t score many, but when I do it’s nice to know that I can have an impact on what’s going on.”

This interview first appeared in the official matchday programme.