Source: Eurosport
Schwarzer: Defence remains the key
Fulham can finish in the Premier League's top seven if they continue to put in strong defensive displays, according to Mark Schwarzer.The Cottagers have enjoyed a memorable 2008/09 campaign, with their performance in sharp contrast to that of 12 months ago.The capital club only avoided relegation on the final day last term and were tipped by many to be among the also-rans again this year.However, with eight games of the season remaining, they sit just a point adrift of a European place, with seventh expected to be enough to secure UEFA Europa League qualification.Schwarzer is understandably delighted at the club's progress this term and sees no reason why Roy Hodgson's men cannot end the campaign on a high."From the front line to the back line, we're defending as a team and that shows with the amount of clean sheets we've had this season," the Australia international told the Evening Standard."Our defensive record is outstanding and that is credit to the full team, not just the back four and the goalkeeper."Now we have 40 points, and everyone talks about 40 points being in the safe zone. When you think about what Fulham went through last season, to be where we are now is a credit to everyone at the club."He added: "There's eight games to go and we definitely want to finish in the top half of the table."But I'm also hoping for two of the top four teams to be in the FA Cup final so another place in Europe goes to a finishing position in the league - that would open it up."[LNB]
