Fulham captain Danny Murphy has hailed the manager Roy Hodgson.

Murphy says Hodgson has the ability to make players better.

He told the News of the World: "He really is a top class manager. It was a massive task to keep the club up that season and despite a fantastic run it went down to the last day when they won away at Portsmouth to stay up.

"I look back at that day and see it as a sliding doors moment. Had we gone down that day where would be now? Where would I be? Where would Roy be?

" I don't know. In that sense the fate of a football team manager hinges on such things, so a lot of what is seen as ability can be based on chance or luck.

"But over the long period it's not down to luck, like winning a Cup final on penalties, but how a team and the players grow. I was fortunate growing up at Crewe under Dario Gradi.

"What a coach, What players he developed there. Roy is different. But his attention to detail is first class and when it has come to signing players he has gone for those with a proven track record.

"After surviving in his first season the team has improved massively with players like Mark Schwarzer, Bobby Zamora, Brede Hangeland, Andy Johnson and Damien Duff.

"What has impressed me most is how Roy has improved a player like Clint Dempsey. He focuses on things. Weaknesses and strengths. But he does it in way where he also manages the man well. He is not close or like a mate but he is not aloof. He keeps thing pretty simple."