Fulham - Murphy`s Challenge!

After Stoke, supposedly, came sniffing around for the services of Danny Murphy, possibly in the role of player-coach, it`s great to hear that our midfield playmaker is on the verge of signing a new one year deal.

It`s no secret that the work put in by Danny played a huge part of our success last season and if the old war-horse can keep those legs moving for another season we could, hopefully, match the achievements of last season.

But, the early start to the campaign, with our first Europa League qualification match taking place early this evening, has given Danny a new challenge late in his career that of getting fit that much earlier.

Speaking ahead of the fixture in Lithuania and our first European adventure, Danny has remarked,

"We haven`t been here before so there`s a couple of different things we have to cater for."

"One is getting fitter that bit earlier than normal because you are normally aiming for mid-August to peak at your fitness."

"So we`re doing specialist work. Pilates stuff. It`s not my favourite. I`d rather be doing other things"

"It`s core work, balancing. Working on making the midriff strong. The lads are getting into it now."

"But it`s tougher level than a 9am class at the local gym with the mums."

Love the dig at the end Danny but we`re intrigued. Do you mean it`s tougher because you`re not allowed to sit around and exchange idle chit-chat like they do?

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