Mark Hughes has hailed Danny Murphy as the driving force behind Fulham's revival since the turn of the year.
Cottagers boss hails skipper's consistency
Mark Hughes has hailed Danny Murphy as the driving force behind Fulham's revival since the turn of the year.
The Cottagers entered 2011 languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table.
It had been suggested that they were poised for a relegation dogfight, with victories in short supply.
However, the new year ushered in a reversal in fortune for Fulham, with positive progress made over recent weeks.
Hughes' men have picked up 11 points from their last six games, moving them into mid-table.
One man who has helped to lead that charge is experienced midfielder Murphy, with the 33-year-old proving to be an integral cog in the Cottagers machine.
"He has been really consistent this year in fairness," said Hughes.
Plaudits
"Early in the season, we weren't getting many plaudits because we were struggling to pick up points.
"Right through the season from the start to now, Danny has put consistently excellent performances together.
"He has driven the team on. At the moment we are getting positive results and people are recognising the job that Danny has done this year."
Meanwhile, following a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, January signing Steve Sidwell has reiterated the need for Fulham to continue picking up points away from home - something which has caused them problems in the past.
He said: "The need to improve the away record was drummed into the boys as soon as I went there.
"Craven Cottage is a fortress, but we need to pick up points away and slowly but surely we're doing that.
"It's something to improve and build on."
