Murphy hails Hodgson's impact

Fulham hero pays tribute to manager

Last updated: 12th May 2008

Danny Murphy Fulham Premier League Football Portsmouth

Murphy celebrates his winner

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Danny Murphy believes Roy Hodgson deserves all the plaudits for inspiring Fulham's Premier League survival.

Fulham secured their great escape from relegation with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday as their fine run of form in winning four of their last five games ensured Premier League football at Craven Cottage next season.

Murphy, who scored the winner at Portsmouth, feels Hodgson has done a great job at Fulham since replacing Lawrie Sanchez and believes his change in style of playing football from Sanchez's direct approach was the turning point for Fulham's success.

"It took a little while for Roy to come in and put his stamp on the team but that is always the case if a new manager comes in," Murphy told Sky Sports News.

"We did go from one extreme to another in many ways, obviously Lawrie [Sanchez] wanted to play in a certain way and it didn't really work for us, that has been well documented.

Style

"We have changed the way we wanted to play and we had a full strength squad to pick from which helps the manager.

"We have played more football under Roy, of course that has been evident on the park and I think with the players we have got in the squad that is the way we needed to play.

"You have got to play to the strengths you have got.

"Roy in his career has played good football anyway he believes in that and the players believe in that more than the other way and it has proved fruitful for us in recent weeks."