David Stockdale returns to First Team action on Tuesday night against West Brom at the Cottage| and the promising young keeper is looking to reproduce to scintillating form he showed at the start of the 2010/11 campaign in Mark Schwarzer's absence.
"I've got a chance to fill Mark’s boots whilst he's away on international duty and I hope to give a good showing again and prove that I can follow up what I did at the start of the season," Stockdale told fulhamfc.com on Monday.
"The highlight of 2010 for me was being given the opportunity to play at the start of the season and just being here at Fulham. I love it here, my family is settled and it’s a great place to be.
"Mark [Schwarzer] is an integral part of our Team and I'm sure his boots are going to be hard to fill and you know that you've got to be on form. Hopefully I can do more than just fill his boots and try to keep hold of the shirt.
"Before Mark left, I wished him the best of luck and said I hope you get to the Final, which would mean more games for me! To be fair, he is a very patriotic person we’ve had many a discussion over the Ashes. He wants to play for his country and I want to play for Fulham so it worked out quite well. I won’t be letting him back in easy!"
Following two impressive away performances agaisnt Stoke and Spurs last week, Stockdale believes Fulham are producing the level of performances to fire them back up the Barclays Premier League table of the second half of the 2010/11 season.
"Everyone outside the Club was asking questions at one point but as you saw against Stoke and Tottenham, everyone here is behind the Manager," Stockdale explained. "The lads put in two good performances last week and I think we deserved at least a point out of the game on Saturday against a top four side.
"If you take those performances we are a top ten side and we just need to keep believing and we’ll be there at the end of the season. We’re looking to move out of the bottom positions as soon as possible, which I’m certain we will do, it’s just a matter of time."
Tickets are now on General Sale for Tuesday night's (KO 8pm) Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom at the Cottage. Get behind the Team as Mark Hughes' side return to the Cottage for their first home game of 2011.|