Scott Parker was thrilled by the all-round combative performance that his Fulham side produced on the road against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
A well-executed gameplan and determination to the bitter end was on show from a dogged and tireless Fulham.
A proud Parker was quick to highlight the dedication of his side to defend their box, hold on to their lead and pick up a clean sheet in the process. With three wins in a row the Head Coach feels his side are hitting their stride.
“We came out of lockdown with a couple of defeats,” he said. “But we have quickly bounced back and have won three in a row which is massive for us.
“Tonight for me it was not vintage us by any means. We didn’t show our dominance with the ball. But saying that there have been many times this season where we have played some fantastic stuff and still lost the match.
“Tonight my team showed another side to them. I often talk about what great teams have and that is a certain mentality. Sometimes you have to dig in deep and show a desperation to get the three points.
“A desperation to not let a 1-0 win slip away and I felt to a man my team showed that. I give them full credit.
“At this stage of the season you need to keep ticking along and win football matches. When you are playing against your closest rivals its pleasing to pick up the win.
“We need to keep performing and that will put us in good stead.
“We want to keep picking up momentum. Overall I am delighted that my team have showed another side tonight.”
A well-executed gameplan and determination to the bitter end was on show from a dogged and tireless Fulham.
A proud Parker was quick to highlight the dedication of his side to defend their box, hold on to their lead and pick up a clean sheet in the process. With three wins in a row the Head Coach feels his side are hitting their stride.
“We came out of lockdown with a couple of defeats,” he said. “But we have quickly bounced back and have won three in a row which is massive for us.
“Tonight for me it was not vintage us by any means. We didn’t show our dominance with the ball. But saying that there have been many times this season where we have played some fantastic stuff and still lost the match.
“Tonight my team showed another side to them. I often talk about what great teams have and that is a certain mentality. Sometimes you have to dig in deep and show a desperation to get the three points.
“A desperation to not let a 1-0 win slip away and I felt to a man my team showed that. I give them full credit.
“At this stage of the season you need to keep ticking along and win football matches. When you are playing against your closest rivals its pleasing to pick up the win.
“We need to keep performing and that will put us in good stead.
“We want to keep picking up momentum. Overall I am delighted that my team have showed another side tonight.”
With the first half drawing to a close Harry Arter struck with a venomous effort from outside the box to see the deadlock broken. Once his side got their noses in front Scott Parker was quick to highlight the attitude shown by his players to battle through and secure a valuable three points.
A professional performance from the first whistle to last.
“Tonight in front of us was a very good Nottingham Forest side,” Parker reflected. “Next we have Cardiff on Friday night.
“We just have to focus on what we are doing.
“We can’t control what goes on above us or around us. We have to just keep winning football matches.
“We have to keep putting pressure on.
“I think it is full credit to my team that we lost Mitro, Tom Cairney tonight, Aboubakar Kamara. We have had to change things around tactically over the last couple of weeks.
“We have had to be a little bit different. Fair play to them because they have adjusted very very well.
“The players have been spot on.
“We lost 23 goals from our team and all of a sudden goals have to come from somewhere else on the pitch.
“We spoke about that, we said people needed to stand up now and chip in to get results and keep moving forward.
“Harry (Arter) has done that with two goals. Cyrus Christie has got one so that has been very positive.
“My players have been brilliant.”
After picking up a knock in the latter stages of the match vs Birmingham City, the Head Coach provided an update on the fitness of Club captain Tom Cairney.
“Games come thick and fast,” he stated. “I am not sure if we will be able to turn him around for Friday.
“We will have to see over the coming days and see exactly where he is and make a call.”
A professional performance from the first whistle to last.
“Tonight in front of us was a very good Nottingham Forest side,” Parker reflected. “Next we have Cardiff on Friday night.
“We just have to focus on what we are doing.
“We can’t control what goes on above us or around us. We have to just keep winning football matches.
“We have to keep putting pressure on.
“I think it is full credit to my team that we lost Mitro, Tom Cairney tonight, Aboubakar Kamara. We have had to change things around tactically over the last couple of weeks.
“We have had to be a little bit different. Fair play to them because they have adjusted very very well.
“The players have been spot on.
“We lost 23 goals from our team and all of a sudden goals have to come from somewhere else on the pitch.
“We spoke about that, we said people needed to stand up now and chip in to get results and keep moving forward.
“Harry (Arter) has done that with two goals. Cyrus Christie has got one so that has been very positive.
“My players have been brilliant.”
After picking up a knock in the latter stages of the match vs Birmingham City, the Head Coach provided an update on the fitness of Club captain Tom Cairney.
“Games come thick and fast,” he stated. “I am not sure if we will be able to turn him around for Friday.
“We will have to see over the coming days and see exactly where he is and make a call.”