Players must step up for Scott
SAYS MICKY ADAMS
SCOTT PARKER has what it takes to haul Fulham up the Premier League table – but he needs help.
That’s the view of former Whites chief Micky Adams who, like former England international Parker, took his first managerial job at Craven Cottage, and ended up dragging the club back from the brink.
Adams took over the reins aged 33, and although Parker was six years older when he assumed control, the former left-back likes what he sees.
He said: “I ’d been a manager for a while but it wasn’t until I’d reached 40 that I got to do the job in the Premier League with Leicester City – Scott’s younger than I was but I think he’s on the right lines.
“He’s a rookie boss in a bear-pit containing some of the greatest minds in the game... Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola.
“He’ll still be finding out about himself and the job – but it’s promising.
“For a start, he emits confidence from his words to the media. What he might be saying in the dressingroom is one thing. But he has always backed his players in public and that goes a long way these days.
“In my eyes, he also made a right call earlier this season by having a pop back after one of the directors said their performance was ‘unacceptable’.
“That sends out a message that he is backing his dressing-room, marking his territory by taking a strong stance. It’s going to be hard for him. If you look at the work the club carried out during the transfer window, a lot of it was done during the final few days.
“On the face of it, you might think that doesn’t matter – but it does because Scott will still be finding out about these players.
“He will be tinkering with the s y s tem and patterns of play whi l e under pressure to pick up results in one of the most unforgiving arenas in world football.
“It ’ s said that the Championship is a tough league. And that’s right. Fulham could play poorly and win games last season.
“That doesn’t happen in the Premier League. If you’re off it, you’ll lose. The players have to step up, start answering the questions. Aleksandar Mitrovic needs to start scoring goals.
“He’s a maverick. You never really know what you’re going to get from him. That needs to stop.
“Ademola Lookman the same. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who I know has been sidelined with injury, he’s another one. They have shown flashes. But it’s not enough. They need to turn into consistent Premier League performers.
“I saw them beat West Brom and they played really well. There’s a lot of responsibility on the captain – a lot goes through Tom Cairney – and if he plays, they tend to have a good day.
“That burden needs to be shared out. It looks like there’s four or five clubs who might be down there this season. There’s no reason to panic at the moment.”