Tim Ream says he's happy he chose Fulham over QPR - even if he was on the end of a weekend defeat from the team he nearly joined.
Hoops and Whites jousted for the signature of the USA international in summer 2015 - Fulham won that race and lost 2-1 on Saturday, even though Ream scored.
Ream was quick to point out the boot was on the other foot this time last season when Whites won 4-0 at the Cottage.
"We tore them apart here," he added. "I could have been on the other end of that, I’m happy I wasn't, and happy I chose Fulham."
Even so, the centre back is done waiting. He now thinks it’s his turn to show what he can do for his chosen club.
QPR might have won the latest derby battle, but at least he was back in a team fans tipped he would leave in the summer after a shocking first campaign.
It did for fellow centre-back Richard Stearman who has been loaned back to Wolves.
But although Ream lost his place after a hat-trick of centre-backs turned up, he believes he’s been handed the chance to stake a regular claim after the international break.
“There’s always competition and I knew they were going to bring in more players, especially the centre-back position,” Ream said.
“I’ve just put my head down and not over complicate things; just play my game and hope I get a chance and do well.
“And for the most part, I feel I’ve done that.”
However, a return to the USA set-up and a chance to add to his 21 caps so far only comes with a prolonged spell in the Fulham first team, and Ream knows it.
“It’s pretty well known I’m not going to get games for the US if I’m not in the Fulham team,” he added.
“The thing is if I was playing for my country, I might get into the team here. It’s six of one, and half a dozen of another.
“I have to be playing here first, and hopefully I can now get a run of games.”
