You can call me Scott Grafter
TRIPLE TRAINING NO BIG DEAL FOR A MAN HAPPY TO TAKE SHARE OF RELEGATION BLAME
SCOTT PARKER never thought he would face a challenge as daunting as the one he had to confront this summer.
Less than 12 months after arriving at Fulham he suffered relegation – and then watched almost every one of his team-mates leave the club.
The side is being completely rebuilt by Felix Magath and there is little doubt that a major part of the plan is to now make sure Fulham are the fittest team in the Championship. At 33, Parker could easily have baulked at the prospect of TRIPLE training sessions alongside kids who have been fast-tracked through the youth system, and an array of foreign faces who are playing in England for the first time.
But that is not in his nature. Parker has a reputation as one of England’s most honest, hard-working players and in typical fashion he has put in hours of hard graft to show he is ready for another campaign.
He said: “It is a bit of a shock to be in the Championship. It is not ideal.
“When I made the move here from Spurs I never envisaged I’d be playing in this division. But I was partly responsible for us getting to this point so now I will do everything I can to get us back.
“It has been a tough pre-season. There have been double sessions, even triple sessions to get us as fit as possible.
Faith
“That is something the manager really believes in.
“He will be accountable for what happens this season so we have to put our faith in his methods.
“I have had 15 years of going through pre-season. Early on it was hard and over the years I have seen different strategies and ways in which the game has changed.
“This training has been hard, there is no doubt about that, but we have all pulled through.”
Fulham spent 13 years in the top flight but after using three different managers last season – Martin Jol, Rene Meulensteen and Magath – the London club finally dropped out.
When they line up for the first game of the season at Ipswich in front of the TV cameras, fans will not even recognise many of their players.
Parker explained: “There have been lots and lots of changes. Our squad is totally different from last year.
“It has been a bit strange watching people leave and then new signings arrive. As a player, I have not seen such a rapid overhaul before.
“We will have to be quick at adapting to the Championship and coming together as a team.
“One thing we do have is some very talented players from the youth team who will now get a chance – and they have to take this opportunity.
“They need to show that they can make the step up. If they can do that then hen this will be defining for them. Part of my responsibility as a senior player is to help them.
“I remember what it was like at the start of your career, so I will give advice in any way I can.” One face that is recognisable and can make a difference is that of 27-year-old Ross M McCormack.
The striker’s move from L Leeds could cost Fulham up to £11million – but Parker re reckons his presence could pr prove invaluable.
He added: “Ross will be important to us. “His arrival is a massive addition and a big help to the team.
“He knows what this division is about and he has a proven goalscoring record from his time at Leeds. I guess he will also be looked at as one of the more senior guys, someone who can also help our young lads make this step up.
“We all know the job in hand here and that it is important to get off to a good start if we are to do well.
“People will consider us one of the favourites for promotion, but we are under no illusions about how difficult this league will be.
“There are some good ex-Premier League clubs in the Championship and we have to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.”