Fulham boss Scott Parker: We’ve missed the fans and not been clinical enough in Premier League

Scott Parker was disappointed with Fulham’s lack of quality in the final third after their 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United in the final game of the Premier League season.

The Whites will be playing Championship football next season and finished 11 points behind 17th-placed Burnley.

Parker told Fulham’s official website: “It was good to play in front of our home fans, it was a shame we couldn’t get the result. We were desperate to get the result for our fans who have been watching from afar, and have no doubt been disappointed.

“In a snapshot, that second half performance summed up our season. We had big chances, there was only one team pushing, we practically played the game in their half. We missed big chances, Ivan Cavaleiro’s chance is a big chance. They enter our box two or three times, we give away a penalty and then the game is done and dusted.

“The clinical nature of this league and the quality in this league has proven to much for us this season.

“We’ve missed the fans. To play in this division with no fans has been painful, they would’ve been a massive help for us at certain moments in the season. If there is one thing you could never ever cast any doubt over with this team, is their effort, endeavour and passion they have given on the pitch.

“At times this season we’ve lacked quality but the fans appreciate the effort the boys have put in this year and rightly so.

“We need to dust ourselves down and look back on the struggles and positives of this season. We need to regroup, make some big decisions, work out which way need to go to have sustained success and work out which way is going to be best to get back into the Premier League. It’s going to be tough in the Championship next year.”