Parker ‘disappointed’ with owner’s apology
SCOTT PARKER has described Fulham co-owner Tony Khan’s apology for the 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa as ‘unhelpful’.
Khan expressed his opinion on Twitter on Monday, immediately after the newly promoted Cottagers slumped to a third consecutive loss that took their goals conceded tally into double figures.
But Fulham manager Parker defended his side, promoted via a play-off final just eight weeks ago, despite Khan’s pledge to bring in reinforcements before the transfer window closes next Monday.
‘You own a football club, you can decide how you want to communicate or send a message out,’ said Parker.
‘It’s not something I agree with, it’s not helpful from that sense but that’s down to the owner and how he sees it.
‘There’s one thing I’m disappointed with and that’s how he’s actually apologising for the performance and that is something I don’t agree with and he shouldn’t have.
‘The performance was a good performance which was a group of players who’ve done everything they can, worked tirelessly from the first minute to the 95th.
‘At 3-0 down they were still working as much as they can to try and get us back in the game. For that, I don’t agree with him.
‘I’ll be the first to have an issue with my squad and my team and my players if I felt that was something which needed to be criticised. I think we understand our challenges this year and the rest is noise.’
Parker admitted Fulham must address their shortcomings but said decisions on new signings were out of his hands.
‘It’s got to the point where I just want to focus on the team,’ he said. ‘I can’t control who we’re going to get and who we’re not going to get. I can give an opinion.
‘We’ve now only a few days left of it and we are where we are. So I don’t want to lose sight of what I have to do with the team and lose energy elsewhere.
‘We’re in the market, of course, but we was in the market a few days after Wembley. The people in those areas are trying their hardest and hopefully we get help.’
It was a good performance from a group of players who have worked tirelessly from the first minute to the 95th