A jubilant Chris Coleman toasted Fulham’s opening-day success against Middlesbrough – and then warned his team they must keep demonstrating their `Crazy Gang’ spirit.

The Cottagers players wore their hearts on their sleeves in the thrill-a-minute 3-2 success at Loftus Road, to leave new boss Coleman “delighted” and the home fans in raptures.

The popular former Fulham centre back told his side further success depends on them maintaining their workrate and team spirit, which he compared to Wimbledon’s `Crazy Gang’ from the 1980s.

“We need the team spirit Wimbledon used to have,” he said. “I’m not saying we’re going to knock it long but need to keep the team spirit we had today. We worked very hard – and if we don’t keep on working that hard, we won’t win games home or away.”

Coleman, installed on a full-time basis during the summer, took satisfaction from proving the critics wrong on day one of the season.

“I knew everyone would write us off, because of our ground situation and because I’m the Premiership’s youngest manager,” he continued. “Everyone expected we’d be in for the drop but I’ve looked at some of the criticism and laughed at it. I was confident we’d win today because we’re a good team and I know what we’re capable of.

“The atmosphere in the camp was fantastic and positive – and I was delighted with the fans and for them. They know it’s not going to easy for us and they created a good atmosphere and they gave us a lot to shout about.”