Source: Team_Talk
Stopper Schwarzer hails Hodgson
Mark Schwarzer believes Roy Hodgson has answered his critics by steering Fulham into Wednesday's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.[LNB] Hodgson has been universally praised during a spectacularly successful second spell in the Premier League having left England under a cloud 12 years ago when he was sacked by Blackburn.[LNB]The nomadic 62-year-old has always been a respected figure on the continent but it is only now he is receiving the same recognition at home.[LNB]His success has seen him linked with Liverpool and even England should Fabio Capello step down.[LNB]Schwarzer, one of Fulham's star players since his arrival on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in 2008, insists the acclaim is well deserved.[LNB]"The manager's enjoyed his time here even more because he's kept a lot of his critics from his earlier period in the Premier League quiet," said the Australian keeper.[LNB]"To an extent he's shoved it back in their face. And I'm very happy about that.[LNB]"He's gathered the experience he has and brought it back to the English game.[LNB]"He's been away for quite a long time with jobs throughout the world.[LNB]"He's the reason why I joined Fulham in the first place and my decision has been justified by the results and the performances we've shown in the last two years."[LNB]Schwarzer was part of the Boro team that was thumped 4-0 by Seville in the 2006 UEFA Cup final and hopes Wednesday night will provide happier memories.[LNB]"Both Boro and Fulham were unfancied clubs to get to a European final," he said.[LNB]"To be here with Fulham at this stage in my career is something I thought would never be possible so it adds that extra little bit of value to the occasion.[LNB]"I've not got the best memories from last time out so I'd like to think I can turn things around."
