Reporter Harry Kemble takes a look at the importance of defender Sascha Riether since his loan switch from Cologne to Fulham.
Initially Fulham supporters may not have been sufficiently encouraged by last summer's arrival of German full-back Sascha Riether on a year-long loan from FC Cologne.
For the defender's move was dwarfed somewhat by the stellar signings of Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United, Hugo Rodallega from Wigan Athletic or even Euro 2004 winner and ex-Greek captain Georgios Karagounis.
All three have answered the Cottagers' call by playing a significant part in another solid season for the west London club.
The Bulgarian became the first Fulham player to score in four successive league games since Steed Malbranque in 2003 after his brace in the 3-2 win over west London rivals QPR last night.
Although, £4.5m signing Rodallega has lost his starting spot recently to Bryan Ruiz, he has ably filled in whenever called upon – either in midfield or in a forward role. The Colombian's three goals have all contributed to Fulham victories too.
Karagounis, swiftly lived up to his billing as a legend of Greek football, and has belied his age to become a workhorse of the Whites' midfield engine.
The 36-year-old midfielder has formed a formidable partnership with Steve Sidwell, breaking up play before distributing possession to Berbatov.
The unlikely duo will eventually be broken up by age but they, like many of Fulham's solid teams in recent years, will forever be remembered for their hard-work and tenacity in the face of better-known opposition sides.
The German has played in all but one of their matches this season, which is more than any other player in the side, including Mark Schwarzer, Fulham's number one keeper.
Riether's performances have led many to call for the once internationally-capped defender to be signed on permanent basis. Calls that he is doing little to discourage.
Last month he told the club's website: "I always give everything in each game I play and see myself as a Fulham player, not a Cologne player.
"For me, it's been a great time here so far. It was my first experience of another country and it was a big step for me to come to England.
"I'd like to remain here. Fulham have an option to buy me and so I think in the next few weeks there will be talks about my future."
The right-back has never played outside his country before Fulham but he was fortunate enough to be joined by a familiar face in Ashkan Dejagah.
The two played together for VFL Wolfsberg in the Bundesliga – a relationship that Fulham manager Martin Jol was certainly aware of when signing the pair in pre-season.
Speaking to fans' website cottagersconfidential.com, he said: "Yeah, of course, we played together for four years so I know how he plays and he knows my runs [on the wing].
In arguably the Whites' best result of the season against Tottenham - a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane - they emphasised why.
Midway through the second-half, Dejagah played in Riether, who in turn supplied Berbatov with a pinpoint cross for the winning goal.
The move was the one moment of note in an otherwise dull match and, importantly, it gave Fulham victory in an away fixture they were expected to lose.
Fulham currently have several players whose contracts are up in the summer, including Mladen Petric, Mark Schwarzer, Chris Baird, Mahamadou Diarra, Neil Etheridge and Karagounis.
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