Hodgson hoping for happy New Year

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admits 2009 will go down as one of the best years of his career after signing a new 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage.

The former Blackburn boss has overseen a major upturn in the Cottagers’ fortunes since taking over in December 2007 and saving the club from relegation.

Since then the Londoners have claimed a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League and are currently lying ninth in the table having claimed several notable results, including home victories over Liverpool and Manchester United.

Hodgson told Sky Sports News: “I have probably been in the game too long, and managed and coached for too long, to remember off the top of my head if this is my best year.

“But everything that has happened to me in 2009 has been good as far as I am concerned. I have really enjoyed the job and I am pretty sure when I look back that 2009 will be up there with one or two good years I have had in the past.”

But Hodgson warned that his squad must continue their current high standards if they are to remain a thorn in the side of the top sides in the Premier League.

He continued: “We know where we hope to go and it’s about keeping up the standards.”