There is a cheery interview with Dickson Etuhu up on the official site. It might be a little soon for those who derided signing someone described as a ‘journeyman’ and ‘useless’ to eat their words but, since he’s been fully fit, Etuhu’s certainly made an impression in our midfield.

He’s got no regrets about leaving Sunderland.

It was a chance to come home to London and make a fresh start after being injured. It was a tough decision but definitely the right one. I’m enjoying my football at Fulham and it’s been a really good move for me.

I’d been away from London for more than ten years playing for Manchester City, Preston and Norwich. I’ve been all over the place so it was nice to come home and be around my family.

He hints at the feelgood factor that seems to have returned to the club after the doom and gloom of last season.

It’s a great time to be playing for Fulham. I didn’t come here to replace anybody. I came here to fight for a spot. I was confident in my ability and believed when I was fit I’d be able to get in the team. I’ve worked hard and I got my opportunity.

It’s great playing every week. I’ve needed the games to get me to a decent level of fitness and I must thank the Manager for that because there have been games when I haven’t been so great but he’s shown faith in me and selected me for the next game.

The team’s done so well. The Manager coaches us so well and I’ve never been in a team when it is so clear what everybody needs to do on a Saturday. We all know our jobs and it’s unbelievable how he’s got everybody thinking the same.

There’s the expected praise for the manager which is par for the course in these types of interviews but you get the sense that the players really enjoy learning from Hodgson, who is rather a wise elder statesmen in football management.

He knows the game inside out and he’s so experienced. It’s been a pleasure working with him and I’ve learnt such a lot in a short space of time. I think I’ve become a better player but I think there is still much more to come from me. I actually know there is because my fitness isn’t where I’d like it to be.

The thought that there’s more to come from Dickson is very promising indeed.