A fine all-round performance ensures there's no Cup shock against plucky Posh. Another home draw sets up a mouth-watering clash with Spurs in Round 4.

And boy do we owe them one! But let's begin by saluting the side for their convincing demolition of Peterborough. The day's top scorers with six and a first hat-trick in English football for Dio Kamara. No fewer than NINE goals inside 5 days after near-terminal misery in the run up to Christmas - well done to the players, and full marks to the manager for improving the balance of the side.

So what's changed? Let's take a reality check first and not get carried away by big wins over injury-ravaged West Brom and a side two divisions below us. But real signs of a sea change have started to appear alongside the first green shoots of spring. It started with both Paintsil and Baird returning to stabilise the back four. It's now the unit that Hodgson schooled to such impressive levels last year, with added goals from defenders for good measure - Paintsil the only one to miss out in the last fortnight (and let's face it, John's never looked good for a goal).

Duff has come back and game on game stepped up to approach the hunger and penetration of last season. He gave Peterborough the runaround and was desperately unlucky not to score.
Etuhu, hopeless before Christmas, turned up at Spurs, made Simon's opener on Tuesday and converted a fine first-time shot from the edge of the box yesterday.

As for our lone wolf up front. Were you watching, yes, I'm talking to you AJ & Eddie. I felt there was something more to his game Tuesday night, remember that early shot on the turn? Yes, he can seem infuriatingly casual, but that was a clinical and unfussy striker's hat-trick. Call him Fulham's Berbatov. Full marks Joe, will he now go on to convince Hughes he's the natural partner for Bobby? By the way, the TV highlights in no way gives a true reflection of a pulsating tie. We came close to hitting ten, while Posh gave it a real go - and should have scored first.

At kick-off I was chastened not to see even one of our youthful strikers on the bench, and concerned the senior pros were being asked to put in another shift after the busy holiday schedule. But Hughes tactics were vindicated. He clearly values a good run in the Cup and post-match said he wants to build continuity and momentum through a settled side. Can't argue with that. Luckily we avoided any injuries, and the boys will be well fired up now for our trip to Wigan.

That and the Stoke home game are certain to provide a sterner test than the past two games, but I think the tide really has turned and we can continue to put points on the board - the league down in the bottom half, lest we forget, is incredibly tight.

Now we have the added anticipation of a feisty 4th round derby with Spurs to end the month. We'll return to this theme in due course, but let's hope this will be payback time for the Whites. We only got a point off them last season and, of course, they put us out after a replay in the QF's of the Cup. In total command at half-time after Bobby's beautifully crafted goal, I turned to my mate and said, 'this is the season we get to Wembley.' Hmmm, 'Arry's subs did for us in short order in the 2nd half. As for this season, robbed by ref Mike Dean at home, unlucky not to get something in the return New Year's Day. Spurs will find us a much tougher nut to crack next time.

Finally, I must pass comment on two events away from Craven Cottage. Sadly it did not work our for Roy at Liverpool. I view his demise with sympathy, not malice, he looked haunted by the end. But having witnessed their FA Cup loss to United, I must congratulate him for getting Liverpool to play the Fulham way. It could have been us at Old Trafford - nothing in attack (Torres doing a perfect impersonation of AJ), no width and too many ordinary players on the park. No self belief away from home. What exactly is Kuyt's role meant to be?

And on a sour note, when is somebody going to relocate their moral compass and drive El Hadji Diouf from the English game? Bravo to Warnock for speaking as he did - in fact I thought he was commendably restrained.

Remember this blog started the whole debate about ugly football of the Blackburn, Stoke, Wolves variety back in October. It clearly reached the FFC players and led to Murphy going public on the thuggery.

Keep your feedback rolling, the next 'Director of Football' sure shook some trees with his blueprint for the future. Strangely, I'm still waiting for the club's call to confirm my role...
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