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The Tanner Report: DVD season on 2009/10

Whilst many of my Fulham pals watched on Sky Sports Fulham’s EFL games this season, yesterday I went back 10 years in time to celebrate Fulham’s most successful season in which we finished 12th in the Premier and reached our first ever European final.

Roy Hodgson proved another inspired choice of manager. In season 2007/8 he masterminded the Great Escape after a never to be forgotten 1-0 final match win at Portsmouth.

The following season we had our best ever finish, 7th, and qualified for the newly founded Europa League.

The Thames Barrier

In the earlier qualifying round Roy chose a reserve side. His back four was not the customary one of John Pantsil, Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland (known as the Thames Barrier) and Paul Konchelsky but Steve Kelly, Chris Smalling, Chris Baird, and Bjorn Riese, whose brother Jon Arne played for Roma against us and later became a white.

We needed a win at Basel to qualify and on a snowy night achieved this.

Then we eliminated UEFA Cup holders Shaktar Donetsk.

Surely we could not then overcome Juventus, one of the titans of European and Italian football?

On a unforgettable night at the Cottage, consummated by an exquisite chip by Clint Dempsey, we did.

As the great Dennis Turner observed “The Old Lady had the vapours”.

By the end Juve had so disintegrated they were reduced to 9 men.

Next up German champions Wolfsburg.  No problem.

Then Hamburg with Van Nistelrooy. Surely the incentive of a final at their stadium would be sufficient to win the semi final?  Once again Hodgson’s boys had the beating of a German outfit.

They were exhausted by the time of the final against an Atletico Madrid side that contained Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguerro and David de Gea.

It was game too far but Atletico only won it with 3 minutes remaining in extra time.

There is a common feature in programmes of “Where are they now?’

Watching the DVD I had an alternative of ” Where were they then?”

At Manchester City Mark Hughes was in charge.

At West Ham Scott Parker was red-carded against us.

Both were to become Fulham managers, as did Roma’s gaffer Claudio Ranieri.

I also wondered how many of the team this past 6 years would make that side.

The three obvious candidates are Alex Mitrovic, Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegon, but I could not see any of them displacing Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy and Damian Duff.

In fact the only one that I would have chosen was Scott Parker.

Hodgson’s team had a wonderful spirit, played good football with plenty of goals supplied from midfielders Clint Dempsey, Simon Davies, Zoltan Gera, Danny Murphy, Damian Duff with the prolific Bobby Zamora up top.

Mark Schwarzer was more than reliable in goal and Brede Hangeland and Aarion Hughes as capable a central back combo as have worn the shirt.

The DVD is narrated by David Hamilton and is a must for all Fulham fans.

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About Alan Tanner

After a distinguished military service in the Catering Corps, Alan Tanner did well in mufti with his chamois as a window cleaner. Sadly he had to retire after falling from the fifth floor of Danny Murphy's mock Tudor home. He spends his retirement watching and writing about his beloved Fulham whom he has supported for over 50 years. The Alan Tanner Report is sponsored by Tanner Crystal Clear Ltd, Window Cleaners to the Gentry. More Posts