The Tanner Report/a dream becomes a reality

It was only a month ago that the Fulham play-off challenge seemed to stutter after losing at home to Wolves. Since then we have won 5 out of 6 with some notable away scalps at Norwich when reduced to 10 men and Huddersfield yesterday. To go one down and then beat them 4-1 in a febrile atmosphere is one colossal achievement. If we can beat Brentford next Saturday we are home and hosed. Leeds in 7th place have just won 1 point out of 12 and may well not garner the 4 points to overhaul us. It’s a wonderful achievement for Slavisa Jokatonic and his band of entertainers who are now showing some grit.

Certain calls have proved decisive. Replacing Button in goal with Bettinelii is one of the reasons that in this 4 match winning cycle we have never conceded more than a goal. Another is that Tim Ream is no longer an accident waiting to happen but a composed and reliable central defender. The mantra of “stop/kick Cairney and you stop Fulham” is no longer effective as Stefan Johansen has scored goals and exploited space. Finally one must mention that Chris Martin who had wanted to jump ship to a side Derby that has no hopes of a play-off from one that is almost there has been replaced up front by the more committed Ayite, yet another pacy player to torment the opposition.

We are all getting carried away. One supporter is already planning a coach to Wembley for the final. Of ther potential play-off sides the only one we have not beaten is Sheffield Wednesday whom we play last game. Huddersfield we beat 4-1 away and 5-0 at home. Reading were thrashed too at the Cottage. Fulham will surely be the team for the others to avoid. We enjoyed our time in the Premier but it was a continual struggle. So we have to go back 17 years to the Jean Tigana promotion side to savour entertaining winning football when we blew teams away and another 42 when we played a final at Wembley. Viva el Fulham was the chant then and now.