Symons defends decision to take Smith off

By

Boss Kit Symons defended his decision to substitute Matt Smith after an hour of Fulham’s 2-2 draw against Wigan.

Smith found the top corner with a wonderful effort in the first half but was hauled off for Cauley Woodrow with the Whites ahead at 2-1.

“Matt was absolutely shattered,” Symons said. “He’s had a lot of football and a really tough game on Tuesday night.

“He was out on his feet and we wanted fresh legs and energy for working back, so it was one of those substitutions that was quite an obvious one to make.”

The substitution upset many fans around Craven Cottage as boos echoed around the stadium after the final whistle, but the Fulham manager was quick to defend his choice.

He said: “That’s football. I’ve got to make decisions that I think are the right ones for the club, and that’s what I’ll always do.”

With four games left in the Championship this season, Fulham lie nine points off the relegation zone with Rotherham United next up at home on Wednesday.

“It’s a point closer to safety. It was hard-fought, but come the end of the season it’ll be a point gained and a point that helps us stay in this division,” Symons said.

“It’s been a difficult season to put it mildly and it was always going to be like that.

“When we stay up I won’t exactly be doing cartwheels but I’ll breathe a huge sigh of relief, that’s for sure.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook