In the start of a new Cutter series we look at the players under the radar who put in exceptional performances week in, week out yet never recieve the credit due. Here Ryan doffs his cap to a cult hero in SW6.
by Ryan Lim
Being 29 years young arriving from 1. FC Koln of the second-tier of German football, I believe I speak for all Fulham fans when I say I wasn’t expecting much from him.
Eight months on, and Sascha Riether has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. The German has put in some stellar displays for the Whites, displaying some incredible energy levels. Solid and disciplined at the back, Sascha has hardly put a foot wrong this season. His contribution is not limited to defence, with the right-back looking a constant threat going forward, capable of putting in some very good crosses.
Last week’s performance at White Hart Lane was a prime example of what Riether has to offer, breaking down attack after attack down the Spurs left channel with a mixture of good positioning and some top-notch challenges. He was also instrumental in Fulham’s opener, bombing forward in support of Ashkan Dejagah who duly found him on the overlap and Riether made no mistake, finding Dimitar Berbatov in the box with an inch-perfect cross, leaving the deadly Bulgarian the simple task of slotting the ball past a stranded Hugo Lloris.
His commitment and no nonsense attitude on the pitch have made him somewhat of a fan-favourite amongst the Fulham faithful. Even sparking comparisons with arguably the best right-back the club have had in recent times – Steve Finnan.
Dynamic, hardworking, staunch – the best right-back in the Premier League? Quite possibly. But one thing’s for sure, Sascha Riether isn’t far off.
