Lucas Piazon is targeting Fulham’s sixth successive league win at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday – but insists there is no room for complacency as the Whites prepare for another crucial Championship clash at the Macron Stadium.
The popular Brazilian was back amongst the goals last week, breaking the deadlock in the second half against Nottingham Forest as Slavisa Jokanovic’s moved up to fifth in the table after a hard fought victory at Craven Cottage. Piazon told FulhamFCTV that the first team’s fine recent run is a result of hard work on the training ground and keeping focused on the next fixture:
It’s always good to be winning, especially at home, where we are on a good run at the moment. After the performance against Barnsley where we were not so good, we turned on Saturday with a good mentality, good spirit, good effort and we fought for the result and in the end it went our way. We were very pleased with that.
The forward, who has battled back from a broken leg to once again become an integral part of Jokanovic’s side, isn’t worried about complacency as Fulham seek to put together the kind of second half of the season that saw them reach the play-offs last term – as long as the Whites continue to respect their Championship rivals.
I think we just have to do what we have been doing. We have a good mentality, respecting the opponents, respecting ourselves and play our game. Put the ball on the floor, try to play and create chances – and be solid when we don’t have the ball.
He felt his goal against Forest arrived at a crucial moment, with Aitor Karanka’s side digging in impressively, and was delighted to celebrate with the fans at the front of the Hammersmith End after putting Fulham in front.
We were on attacking mode. We were trying to create chances, we were attacking them and they were defending quite well, to be honest. We were able to create a few chances but not like big, big chances. We were creating space, but when I had the chance to get a shot off it was in a part of the game when we needed to pull a goal in front and it was a great moment. I didn’t plan that – it was an important game for us to stay in the top six and I was really happy to be with the supporters!
Piazon has been encouraged by the January additions of Matt Targett, Cyrus Christie and Aleksandar Mitrovic, believing that the extra quality can serve Fulham well as they look to mount a serious promotion push over the campaign’s closing weeks.
I believe they are players with great quality. Two of them came from Premier League teams and Cyrus I’ve seen playing a lot of times – he’s got great quality as well. The squad just got stronger with them as we could see on Saturday. Matt had a great game, linked up with Sess on the left side. It’s great for us. I think they will be important for us in these last sixteen games.
The Chelsea loanee knows what to expect from Bolton having watched Wanderers’ impressive victory over Bristol City last Friday night.
I watched them play against Bristol City and they tried to defend and be solid and counter attack. I think against us they will be physical, they will tackle us and they will be strong at the back. It will not be easy. I think we will have to work hard, we will have to put a great effort in and play our game like I always say. Hopefully, we can get the sixth win in a row.
