Fulham’s inspirational centre-back Alain Goma has left his team-mates in no doubt about the importance of Sunday’s clash with Ipswich, declaring “we need points – and now”.
The Frenchman marked his return to fitness after a six-week lay-off with a hip injury by emphasising that the Cottagers simply cannot continue the slack start that has sent them tumbling down the Barclaycard Premiership table.
Jean Tigana’s side are now just two points above basement boys Leicester, prompting Goma’s demand to write off most of the first quarter of the season and start banking vital three-point hauls.
Former Newcastle man Goma, 29, is out to kick-start the Londoners’ season against Ipswich, after the frustration of watching his team-mates stumble to draws and defeats from the stands.
“We know it’s a tough season for us, and we have to keep working to get results,” he said. “We need points and have to get them as soon as possible.
“We’re 15th in the league and need points. The team was used to being at the top, and then arrived in a new league and have had to fight to get points.
“If we weren’t having chances, it would be a good idea to change the way we play, but we’ve been having chances. We just haven’t been lucky.
“We’ve played quite well but not got the results we’ve deserved. We have to keep playing the same football and it will pay off.”
Goma’s commitment to Tigana’s passing game will please the neutrals delighted by Fulham’s attractive approach to the top flight.
However, the defender knows it is results that count, and if the next two games – home dates with lowly Ipswich and Southampton – do not bring significant improvements to the points and goals-for columns, the first voices of discontent will be heard on the Craven Cottage terraces.
He admitted: “There’s more pressure than in the First Division, so maybe we need a few games to get used to it and to have more confidence in terms of our finishing.”
Goma is by no means guaranteed a starting berth in Tigana’s side week-in, week-out, as his enforced absence allowed 21-year-old Zat Knight to break into the side.
The 6ft 6in giant has impressed with his composed passing, but his positioning was questioned for both the Aston Villa goals that sentenced the Cottagers to a 2-0 reverse on Sunday.
Goma has pledged to do all he can to secure a regular place in the first XI, adding: “We all want to play, so we give 100 per cent and fight for our positions – and the manager takes the decision.
“Zat has been very good in the few games he’s played in. It gives more competition to the squad, and that’s good because each player has to fight – and that’s better for the team.”
