Kevin says pretty boys can show mean streak
FULHAM midfielder Kevin McDonald has warned Aston Villa that even nice guys have a nasty streak.
McDonald claims the Cottagers, who have won fans all season with their free-flowing football, play the best stuff in the Championship.
But the Scottish midfielder reckons they will show they have the steel to go with the style in tomorrow’s Wembley showdown.
McDonald said: “We’ve got to have a nasty streak about us.
“I’m sure Aston Villa will have that. They will be up for the fight.
“We have to work hard to win the ball back and be the first to the ball. It goes a bit unnoticed but we press really well. No one sees that because we are on the ball a lot of the time.
“But we can’t turn up and expect to be on the ball. If we do, we’ll get beat.
“We have to earn the right to play. We have to have that fight and determination and do whatever it takes. We will try to win it, keep it and make them run. Tire them out.”
McDonald, 29, knows the play-off final could be Fulham’s last chance to keep this team together with Premier League vultures sniffing around.
Star man Ryan Sessegnon has a host of suitors and manager Slavisa Jokanovic emerged as a surprise contender for the Chelsea job this week.
McDonald said: “It’s important the manager stays, of course. He’s like us. He wants to manage in the Premier League. We want to play there.
“Ryan’s been fantastic this season. He’s got the world at his feet. I’ve got full confidence he will do it on the big stage here.”
McDonald admits he wasn’t ready for his last taste of the top-flight with Burnley, where he was known as the worst trainer in the team.
He even got fined by the Clarets for walking out to go to the pub after being substituted in a defeat by Manchester City eight years ago.
McDonald added: “I’m still the worst trainer now – ask the manager. That’s not changed.
“But I wasn’t ready for the Premier League back then. I was too young. I’ve matured a bit now. I’ve played more games and feel more ready than ever.”