Chris Coleman has rubbished the predictions of the doom and gloom merchants and insists he is positive about Fulham’s prospects as he looks ahead to his first full season in charge of Fulham.
The former Welsh international defender, whose career was cut short after a horrific car crash, steered the Whites to Premier League safety after being thrust into the hot seat following the sacking of Jean Tigana last season and has short shrift for those pundits who have tipped his team to struggle this term.
Coleman told the Daily Telegraph:
“People get carried away. We’re not one of the big six and we’ve come a long way in a short space of time. People forget we were scrapping in the Second Division a few seasons ago.
A big, dark picture has been painted of our future but that’s not the way I see it. There’s talk of relegation and me getting the sack after five games. I’m young and inexperienced and it may turn out that way but I’m excited, there’s a great spirit in the squad and we’ll just have to shut people up by winning. I know we have too many gifted players not to have frills but we need to be tougher and play harder when we don’t have the ball.”
The Fulham boss was also insistent that homegrown midfielder Sean Davis, who has made no secret of his desire to move on this summer, will only leave when the club have successfully recruited a replacement.
“Sean’s under contract for two more years. So if I can get someone in, he’ll go, but if I can’t, he’ll stay. If he does decide to move on it will be for the good of Fulham Football Club and when we’re ready.”
