Fulham Head Coach Scott Parker played down the ‘must-win’ tag being banded around Monday’s clash with Aston Villa calling for an emphasis on positive mindset.
“I don’t see it as drastic as a must-win,” he explained. “We want to win. I know it’s either high or low in a drastic world, but we need to stay level and take realism of where we are in the campaign and where we are as a team. We will try everything we can to take some points and be up to the challenge.
“I don’t think we’re the only team at this present moment in time who have let in some goals in the first two games.
It’s not ideal, of course not. Villa at home on Monday is a game we’re going to try to get three points from and win. That’s the aim.”
Parker praised opposing manager Dean Smith for the work done at keeping Villa in the league and strengthening beyond. He also rubbished any idea that Aston Villa and a certain new recruit will be out for revenge.
“Villa have done very well and recruited well. Ollie Watkins is one of those from Brentford. They have a lot of quality in the side and we understand the dangers they possess.
“We’ll be trying to prepare to nullify their threats and cause them some problems. He’s one of many players who have quality in their side. As a club Villa have gone on to do well. It’ll be a tough game, but Dean’s recruitment has been fantastic”
Villa provide the first test of three games in the same week which Parker admitted will be draining on legs.
“It’s tough to have all these games. Routines and understanding of schedules are different.
The majority of the time it’s either three o’clock or the evening for kick-off. Now it can be anytime.
“Everything is up in the air, adapting is key, we try to do that every day.
It’s the same for everyone else. It’s not ideal but we realise this is part and parcel of it.”
When quizzed on the fitness of his team, the Head Coach revealed his squad are at full strength for Monday night.
Whilst his side have conceded defeat in the opening two league games, a stellar start to the Carabao Cup could provide a platform to build upon.
“Winning is important, the two games we have won in the cup were with clean sheets,” he continued. “The two losses have been in the league. We’ve lost two games along with other teams who are in a similar position.
“When you lose football matches it’s tricky. Clubs are always a lot better with mood and atmosphere when you’re winning.
We will lose football matches this year and we can’t let them cripple us. We can’t let them take us into a negative spiral.
“I’ve been in relegation teams before, the one thing that gets them relegated is that spiral effect which slowly dents the confidence and cohesion. It saps you and buries you. We’ve got a lot of games to play.”