Josh Onomah admits he has unfinished business in the top flight and wants to prove himself worthy of a place in the Premier League as the start of Fulham’s new season approaches.
Onomah, long heralded as one of the best talents to come out of the Tottenham academy in recent years, struggled to establish himself at White Hart Lane, making just thirteen league appearances in four years with the club, before moving on to Craven Cottage last summer. The 23 year-old still feels he has something to prove at the highest level and is relishing the opportunity of making an impact with Fulham. He told Fulham’s official website this morning:
Yeah, 100 per cent. At Spurs I made just over 10 appearances but they were off the bench, so this time around I’m looking forward to showing everyone what I can do in the Prem. I’ve got a point to prove and I look forward to the challenge.
For a former Tottenham player, there’s no better fixture to kick off the new campaign with than against Arsenal. Onomah knows it will be a tough start but he’s relishing the challenge.
Arsenal is definitely a good one to look forward to. I was at Spurs for more than 14 years and obviously I grew to have a lot of love for the club, so playing Arsenal – from my youth days all the way up to the first team – was always a big game. I’ll definitely be taking momentum from that into the first game.
They won the FA Cup Final and they just won the Community Shield, so they’re on top form. But we’re in one of the best leagues in the world now, so you’re going to play the best teams. We’ve just got to take that challenge in our stride and hopefully we’ll come off the pitch as the winning side next Saturday. As it’s the early kick-off, most people – if not everyone – will be watching, so we’ve got to show what we’re capable of, stamp our authority, and show that we are a Premier League club.
Onomah admits it took a while for Fulham’s play-off success against Brentford at Wembley to sink it – and, reflecting on the game, he remains disappointed that he didn’t put away a couple of early chances to give the Whites the perfect start.
At the start of the game I was bubbling with excitement to try and make an impact, and think I had about four or five chances in the first 20 minutes! I was unfortunate not to score with one of them but thankfully it didn’t matter in the end.
It was a place I’d been before two years ago when I lost to Fulham when I was at Aston Villa, so I just wanted to win. Winning at Wembley is an incredible feeling. It’s a shame the fans weren’t there to share that moment with us, but I know they were all watching so I’m just glad we could give them something to smile about.
It’s finally sunk in, now we’re back at the training ground preparing for the new season, but it took a few weeks for it to sink in. It was a proud moment for me but now I’m just excited for the new season.
I think Josh is right to feel proud and excited. All the guys should. There is an unquestionable truth out there though that every one of our players will need to play at 110% ALL season just to come 17th. I think we can do it COYW
Happy to admit I could not see what Parker saw in Onomah. Let’s be honest in his first 10 games for Fulham he was woeful. As the season went on he got better and better. Let’s hope that rate of improvement continues. If it does he is going to be a very decent player.
Think Josh could have a big year – especially if Cairney finds the Premier League as tough as he did last time. Really admire how he kept going and came into his own as the season went on. It’s clear that Scott likes him, hopefully he takes that confidence into the new season.