Murphy sets sights high

Midfielder looks to new signings to boost hopes

Last updated: 18th July 2008

Danny Murphy 2008

Murphy: Hoping to avoid relegation fight

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Danny Murphy hopes Fulham's transfer activity will prevent another battle against relegation.

Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil are the latest new faces at Craven Cottage after moving from West Ham for a combined total of £6.3million.

The fee was Fulham's first major outlay this summer with Andranik Teymourian, Zoltan Gera, David Stockdale and Mark Schwarzer arriving as free transfers or for small amounts.

Murphy, whose strike against Portsmouth on the final day of last season kept Fulham in the Premier League, is encouraged by the steady influx.

"The club is spending money, I think to make sure that we are not in the same situation as we were as last season," he said.

Change

"We don't need to be changing things too much because then it disrupts a team but to add a few is good news."

Fulham have been a permanent fixture in the bottom three when predictions for the coming season are made and they seem sure to be tipped for relegation once again.

Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy accepts the club must remain realistic in their ambitions ahead of the new season and feels a mid-table finish would be a good campaign for the club.

Solid

"Realistically I don't think that you can be too crazy in your ambition so middle table mediocrity would be nice in comparison to last season," added Murphy.

"I think to aim to go from almost being relegated to a European place is bit of a jump. You need to build a solid base.

"We are aware we were in the bottom three because we weren't good enough and we are addressing that by bringing in new players.

"Not looking over your shoulder for the whole of the season would be nice because then you get to enjoy your football a bit more.

"Not thinking all the time if we lose we'll be in the bottom three."