Parker predicts ‘big season’ for Fulham after first win

Fulham boss Scott Parker is confident of “a big season” ahead following the 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage.

The Whites were worthy of their first three points back in the Championship against a physical Rovers’ outfit, with goals from Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic crowning a confident and robust display.

The victory was important for Fulham, after their surprise opening day defeat at Barnsley – and Parker was pleased with the response overall.

“We’ve got real experience in this team with Tom, Mitro, Harry (Arter) who has been through a promotion before so we’re expecting a big season,” he said. “We all realise how tough this league can be.

“I felt at the start there was a little edginess but I thought the boys were very brave and played in the way I want them to play. It was world class strike (from Cairney) to ease us and we had control of the game despite them causing us a few problems. I was quite comfortable by the way we finished.

“We spoke after last week against Barnsley – I felt we came up short on the physicality and the basics but we got a foothold today. We did the dirty side and got second balls, with Cairney and Mitrovic giving us a real platform to win the game.”

Parker also singled out Anthony Knockaert who made a real impact and feels his team can now go a consistent run, beginning on Friday away to Huddersfield Town.

“He gets you off your seat and you sense he makes things happen,” added the manager. “It’s pleasing for me as there will be a lot more to come from him as well. Along the way there will be blips but if we can sustain a good mentality we can look forward to Friday against Huddersfield.”

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