Ream: Within Our Grasp

Catching up with journalists this week, Tim Ream spoke in-depth about the season run in, ticking off targets, World Cup ambitions and more.

If our American dream keeps up his impressive record of starting every league match this season, Sunday will mark a very special 250 appearances in a Fulham shirt, a feat Ream would be delighted to complete.

“It’s a pretty big number,” he said. “A lot of games played for one club.

“Something I’m really proud of, it’s taken a lot of work, a lot of years, but it’s definitely a pretty big milestone.”

When asked if he has a stand-out moment from his time in SW6, our defender was tact in his reply.

“Up to this point, it’s the play-off final, but maybe ask me that question in a few weeks’ time and the answer may be different.”

As the last two promotions for the Whites have come through the play-off route, Ream pointed out the difference in this year’s tale with an automatic place in the Premier League on the verge of being confirmed – possibly against Coventry on Sunday if other results go our way.

“It’s a little bit less stressful,” he remarked. “But I think over the course of a season it’s been more difficult in terms of preparation, being mentally prepared and being on top for the majority.

“If you could guarantee promotion going through the play-offs to Wembley in front of your fans and doing it that way that would be the way to do it. I still get goosebumps thinking about that day - there’s not many feelings that could top it.

“But for everyone’s peace of mind, doing it this way this year - assuming that it happens over the next couple of weeks – is definitely a much less stressful way to do it.”

“We’ve done the same thing all season, take it a game at a time. It’s rather cliché but it’s the only way to keep the standards as high as they have been.

“We’re looking forward to wrapping it up, but I don’t think we’ll look past it just because we’ll have achieved mathematical promotion, there’s still one other achievement for us and that’s being top of the Championship come the last day of the season in May.

“Whether that happens a few games early or it comes down to the last game it doesn’t matter- we’re looking to wrap up promotion and that top spot as quickly as we can and that’s why we have been taking it one game at a time and not looking forward to when we can celebrate or tick that box off.

“That’s been the goal all year, from day one. I think that now it’s fully within our grasp, you see what the last two games – QPR and Middlesbrough- what it’s taken, guys putting it in from Mitro all the way back and from Marek all the way to the front.

“That’s been our number one goal from the first day that the manager came in.”

The style in which we’ve won games this season is undoubtably something special, with 93 goals scored and only 32 conceded meaning Fulham have the best attack and defence in the league, but Ream says even the games we edge out like at Middlesbrough on Wednesday are just as pleasing.  

“For the guys in attack scoring those goals and winning games is what it’s all about.

“It has definitely been more enjoyable without a doubt the way this season has played out and the games we’ve had. But I could argue and counter that the games such as Middlesbrough the other night, the games where we dig in as a team and get a result, get a clean sheet, are just as satisfying come the end of it.

“They’re obviously different feelings, but at the end of it knowing you’ve come through a hard-fought match where maybe things could’ve been a bit different, but you’ve pulled it off – I think those are the signs of a good squad.

“It’s been really enjoyable and we’re looking to keep it going.”

“We do our job (as defenders) and that allows them (the attackers) to do theirs. That’s pretty much the way we see it.

“We’re not worried about getting all the headlines and you can’t be worried about that as a defender. Your job is to keep the ball out of the goal and give it to the guys who can do the attacking bits.

“We know what we’ve done all year and we know where we stand in terms of goals conceded. that’s not something we need anybody else to tell us about or write about.

“When you have someone score as many goals as Mitro has, then rightfully so he’s going to get the headlines. We’re all going to the same place.”

Despite such an impressive campaign, our vice-captain still admits we could’ve done even better at times.

“We’ve had our blips this year,” Ream stated. “We had a rough December and we’ve all looked back on that knowing we had some illness in the squad.

“We look back on those games as missed opportunities to have it virtually wrapped up as it is at this point.

“You still have to play the games and we’ve had a target on our back, but after minor dips we’ve always come back stronger, which is a great sign in terms of how the squad has been built and the mentality.

“It’s hard to get to the top and it’s hard to stay there, but once we figured that out we’ve done well to stay there.”

Although entrance to the Premier League is seemingly around the corner now, Ream insists that we’ve still got to stay in the here and now and build for next season after that.

“We’re not there yet. We’re not going to assume because you know what happens when you assume.

“Next year is next year. It’s a boring answer I know, but we’re not worried about next year at this moment in time- we’re completely focused on the here and now.

“We’re here to do a job, on Sunday again and until the season finishes.”

With a potential World Cup around the corner for our veteran defender, he spoke about the upcoming competition with an England match-up in the groups as part of that.

“I think everyone has the game last time around when the two teams met at the World Cup at the back of their minds. 

“There are a lot of unique storylines when you throw Iran in there and whoever makes it in from the play-off to join the three teams. 

“I am really looking forward to seeing who takes control of that group. There is a lot of talk already which is once again just talk - people will say different things. Some will say we drew a good group and others will say we drew a tricky group. Everyone will have their own opinions. 

“I was pleasantly surprised but also thought at the same time, of course, England is the story. You throw in Wales, Scotland or Ukraine into the mix it and will be a very interesting group. 

About whether he’ll play a part or not, Ream resigned to the fact things are out of his control at the moment.

“I don’t know. I have not retired. I did an interview the other day and said I am available. 

“It’s completely down to the manager. It’s down to form, how many matches I have played and injuries, so you just never know.

“I am not taking my name out of the hat and we will see. 

“If I am playing regularly come November I am giving myself a good shot but if I am not there, I know the group very, very well. I have been a part of that group and I will be supporting them all the way.”