Maik Taylor has hailed new Fulham manager Jean Tigana for making the Whites much fitter as they prepare to push from promotion from the First Division.

Northern Ireland international Taylor suggested that too many of his team-mates might have been pampered by the big-spending regime since Mohamed Al-Fayed bought the Cottagers in the summer of 1997. Taylor, who followed in the footsteps of his father by serving in the army before turning to professional football, has had no problem adapting to the double training sessions and nutritional changes introduced by Tigana since he succeeded Paul Bracewell earlier this summer.

The 28-goalkeeper said: “Sometimes I have seen people not pulling their weight and they don’t appreciate what they have. I have seen life from the other side of the fence because I was in the military services until I broke into football. Players have got to accept responsibility for themselves now. It is a waste if they are not making the most of their chance, but if they don’t it’s on their own shoulders.”

Now we all eat properly and although they can’t follow us home you don’t cheat. We are not even allowed to eat red meat at night. Everyone here has improved and we are training for longer and better periods. The game is much quicker now and everyone has got to be fitter.”