Parker says Wolves game on Friday is ‘massive’ if Fulham are to stay in top flight
BY KAI BENNETT
Fulham boss Scott Parker says his side need to “eradicate” their mistakes from their game – and says Wolves game on Friday is “massive”.
Aleksandar Mitrovic had put the Whites ahead just after the hour mark as he pounced on a Tyrone Mings error.
But two goals in five minutes from Villa substitute midfielder Trezeguet turned the match on its head before Ollie Watkins scored with just two minutes to go, to ensure the victory for Dean Smith’s side.
Parker told Fulham’s website: “Overall a disappointing day. I didn’t think the game had much in it for large parts. Up until our goal, Villa huffed and puffed and we nullified that.
“When you get your nose in front like we did you want to try and take something out the game. I’m disappointed with their first goal but that’s not the deciding factor, the deciding factor is after the first goal we let ourselves down. We made silly mistakes, didn’t manage the game well enough.
“We didn’t react well enough in those moments really – we were a bit naive. In the last 15 minutes, if your perform like that, and have a mindset like that, you are not going to win football matches in this league. Like you saw today, before you knew it, it was two then three then the game is over.
“I get how desperate we all are – I understand that. That’s a riding factor in people making decisions and the feeling they get but this is elite sport and in elite sport, you need to quickly be able to have the ability to retune and get back on script and we didn’t manage to do that and that’s why I’m disappointed.
“We didn’t deserve anything out of the game with the way we reacted after their first goal.”
Fulham host Wolves on Friday night at Craven Cottage and Parker believes they will work “tirelessly” this week and look to bounce back.
He said: “We’ve been able to put ourselves in a position like this because of the way we’ve often reacted to a bit of disappointment. At the same time this is not one you can brush under the carpet, because this is one you need to learn from.
“We need to come in tomorrow and be brutally honest and understand where our flaws were today and try quickly to improve that. At the same time we have Friday night now, so let’s try and eradicate these mistakes and come out the other side of them.
“Massive game now on Friday, one we need to look forward to. This team will be bright, this team will come in and work tirelessly this week. We’ll improve and come out on Friday and try and get a result.”
Parker gave an update on Ademola Lookman after he came off in the game against Villa.
He said: “I think it’s more hamstring, I’ve not spoken to the physios at the moment. It maybe knee, it maybe back of the knee. We’ll assess that tomorrow and see where he is and we’ll make a call on that. Hopefully it’s not too bad but you never know at this moment in time.”
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