To see yesterday's training session...

Fulham almost crashed out of the Barclays Premier League last term but now their remarkable revival under manager Roy Hodgson has put them on the brink of winning a place in Europe.

Schwarzer joined Fulham from Middlesbrough as part of a rebuilding process that has worked wonders for Hodgson.

The Australian goalkeeper has been one of the successes of the season at Craven Cottage and his impressive form was highlighted by a sensational double save from Ji-Sung Park and Wayne Rooney in their 2-0 win over leaders Manchester United on Saturday.

Middlesbrough are struggling to beat the drop but Fulham are ninth - just one point off the seventh place that will almost certainly earn a place in the new Europa League competition next season.

Schwarzer, 36, chose Fulham over Bayern Munich and Juventus when he brought the curtain down on an 11-year stint with Boro and says his decision was largely down to Hodgson.

"Towards the end of last season most people were writing Fulham off, and I was one of them," said Schwarzer. "Around February time, when I was at Boro, I remember thinking Fulham had no chance of surviving.

"But they created that amazing feat, staying up, and then, when I came down to speak Roy Hodgson, I realised he had plans, that he wanted to turn the club around and make them into a strong team and really look up towards the top half of the table.

"This season we've consolidated very well, we've played very good football and I think it's right we're in the position we're in."

Schwarzer, who hopes that a win over Uzbekistan in Sydney next Wednesday will all but clinch World Cup qualification for the Socceroos, believes Fulham's success has been based on a great team spirit.

"It's fantastic to have that type of manager who encourages you and gives you self-belief, so that if you make a mistake you just get your head down and rectify it," added Schwarzer.

"Everyone is pulling in the right direction, everyone is supporting each other, guys are covering each other in case there are mistakes.

"From the front line to the back line we're defending as a team and that shows with the amount of clean sheets we've had this season. Our defensive record is outstanding and that is credit to the full team, not just the back four and the goalkeeper.

"Now we have 40 points, and everyone talks about 40 points being in the safe zone. When you think about what Fulham went through last season, to be where we are now is a credit to everyone at the club.

"There are eight games to go and we definitely want to finish in the top half of the table.

"But I'm also hoping for two of the top four teams to be in the FA Cup final so another place in Europe goes to a finishing position in the League - that would open it up."

To see yesterday's training session...