By his own admission Shaun Hutchinson had a wretched start to his Fulham career.
Adrift without a rudder on opening day at Ipswich in August, and sent off in his first game under new boss Kit Symons, the only way was up for the Geordie signed from Motherwell in the close season.
But the central defender’s salvation owed much to Symons’ central defender’s slot as a player - the same as the 24-year-old’s.
Advice, pointers and the right coaching sees Hutchinson ever present for the last 14 matches - including a consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat at Bolton on Tuesday night.
Now he has a chance to put right a poor debut for the return match against Ipswich on Saturday at the Cottage.
“I didn’t really help myself to be honest at the beginning,” he admitted.
“Anybody coming into a new club takes a little while to adapt. But I just kept my head down and worked hard. Kit showed belief in us, and I hope I’m repaying him.”
Two minutes into the second half against Blackburn In September, Hutchinson was giving his marching orders, and Symons was left suffering a 1-0 home reverse on his manager's debut.
But what goes around comes around, and when fellow Geordie, Dan Burn, suffered a nightmare in the 5-0 home defeat to Watford at the beginning of December, Hutchinson got a second chance.
“In my first game I got sent off,” he said. “I apologised to Kit for letting the team and him down. And when the good times you’ll appreciate them more. I’ve been patient, even though it’s not nice on the bench.”
The defender admits he’s upped his game because Symons has been there, done that and now uses the T-shirt to wipe the blackboard littered with playing pointers.
Hutchinson explained: “On the Friday we do quite a lot of defensive work.
“I’ve learned a lot, and stuff I didn’t know before, and he concentrates a little bit more on the defensive side. He doesn’t really get on your case, but he gives you tips.”
Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to Fulham v Ipswich right here on GetWestLondon
