Fulham’s participation in the qualification rounds of the UEFA Europa League has seen a number of younger players making their mark in the First Team squad – with the likes of Kerim Frei, Lauri Dalla Valle and Tom Donegan making their First Team debuts.
Matthew Briggs has also seen his involvement in the starting eleven increase and, speaking to fulhamfc.com, he hopes to make 2011/12 his breakthrough year.
“There seems to be a real chance for the younger players at the moment and of course, the early rounds of the UEFA Europa League provide the perfect opportunity,” he explained. “Players like myself and Kerim Frei have been put in and it’s been a great experience. Others like Lauri Dalla Valle and Tom Donegan have played too and that’s a massive positive.
“There’s a real buzz as a result and that filters down from the First Team to the Academy. Even the younger boys will be looking at us and seeing what can be achieved. Hopefully it will spur them on and follow a similar path. The opportunity is definitely there, so it’s now up to the boys to show what they can do.
“I’ve been pleased with how things have gone so far, both for the team and for me personally. Obviously, it’s early days and but we’ve been working hard and getting the job done. It’s been nice to be involved in the games so far – five in total – and I just want to build on that now. I played a bit last season, so this term, my target was always going to be setting out and establishing myself further. Ideally, this will be my breakthrough year – the season I really show what I can do.
“The Manager has been fantastic and I think we have all seen how committed he is to developing young players and giving them the chance. I got an opportunity under the last manager, and he’s continued that faith which I am very thankful for.
“The Manager is constantly encouraging me and always has advice at hand. I’ve been working on my positional sense, and in moving further up the pitch into the left of midfield, he wants me to cut inside more and shoot at goal. It’s certainly all been very positive, and I’m very much enjoying working with him.”
Last week’s encounter against RNK Split saw Briggs lining-up on the left side of midfield, and whilst he previously played there for the Academy, occupying the wing is a different experience at First Team level.
“The left of midfield is a new position for me, although I have played a bit there when I was part of the Academy,” he explained. “But it is a bit different when asked to play there for the First Team. It’s felt strange at times especially in terms of movement, but I think I can do a job there. I’m used to everything taking place in front of me, but now I have to look both ways.
“It’s all part of the learning process though and something that is only going to improve me as a player. Even when I play at left-back I like to get forward, now I have a bit more freedom. I’m comfortable on the ball and can get up and down, so it’s a position that suits me in a lot of ways.”
Briggs will be hoping to continue his run in the First Team this Thursday for the second leg of the tie with RNK, which he is expecting to be a challenging encounter.
“Thursday’s game will be difficult, there is no doubt about that,” he said. “RNK Split are a decent side and they showed how determined they are in the first leg – making things very difficult at times. But we have confidence that we can see the game through, especially at Craven Cottage where we know we are a match for any side.
“With the home support behind us I’m sure we can get the result we need and push ourselves into the draw Play-Off phase – which in turn will move us one step closer to the group fixtures. I didn’t get to play the last time Fulham got that far, so of course, that is something I would love to do.”
