Claudio Ranieri knows Fulham need to start taking points from the Premier League’s elite if we are to maintain our top flight status.
Our next four home fixtures see Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City visit Craven Cottage, and our Manager is aware that these matches need to yield a points return.
“We have to take points wherever, against I don’t care who,” he stated. “It’s not important the name, it’s important we take points against these big teams.
“I know it will be very difficult but I believe in my players and I am very confident with them.
“I have to motivate them, I have to give my positivity to my players. And I hope also our fans at home give us something more to be solid and keep us concentrated until the end.
“We know these teams are very, very strong but I think it’s much better to play these teams at home than away, and in these matches we have to make some points.
“It’s very, very important to achieve points against these teams.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings United to SW6 having taken 22 points from a possible 24 since taking over on a caretaker basis.
Three days after their trip to Fulham, the Red Devils host Paris-Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League, but Ranieri is not expecting that to have any impact on their performance at the Cottage.
“These big teams are used to playing match by match,” he explained. “Now they are very, very focused on the next match against us, and then after they will think about PSG.
“I think the results speak for themselves. All victories and just one draw. The players changed their mind, they’re more involved and they are fighting together.
“We are in a bad moment but our confidence is high and we continue to fight. Sooner or later they have to lose a match, no? Why not against us?”