Hodgson spies his pot of gold

ROY HODGSON claimed not to have seen the rainbow which briefly glittered over the Madejski stadium after an apocalyptic April shower had given way to brilliantly bright sunshine. “I'm one of those old-fashioned managers who watches every kick of the ball,” he said, with a weary tone.

Relegation battles are no place for romantics - they are worth rather more than the proverbial pot of gold - but when Fulham's hoary old manager reflects on this peculiar campaign, he might yet view this as the day the sun came out on his season. The storm clouds which generally amass over the Cottagers when they venture away from south-west London were banished in the sort of imperious fashion which makes a mockery of their position in the bottom two and now survival is just about visible on the horizon.

Hodgson's team may have the most ground to make up of any of the division's endangered species but they also have a fixture list which errs towards the gentle.