Fulham captain Lee Clark says Brian McBride’s goalscoring debut has added to Chris Coleman’s forward options.
The American international came off the bench to prod home the winner against Tottenham on Saturday – and stake a claim to supplant Barry Hayles and Facundo Sava up front after Louis Saha’s departure.
Clark told Fulham’s official website:
“I was very impressed by him when he came on. I thought he linked up well, held the ball up, and obviously got the important goal. Hopefully we can keep creating lots of chances for him. But you’ve got to mention Barry as well, he’s doing well for the team – you’ve got to remember that the three games he’s started have been his first since August, so it’s important he gets a run in the team, and he’s getting his confidence back more and more each game.
“He’s a great team player, Barry, he works hard and does a lot of running for the others. He worked his socks off against Spurs and that’s appreciated in the dressing room – there’s good competition there now, because we’ve got Facundo as well, so everything’s looking very good.
Clark is now fully focused on Wednesday’s FA Cup replay against Everton, with a home tie against West Ham United lying in wait for the victors.
“There’s a great incentive for the winners. A home draw next and that’s all you can ask for. Whoever does win will have a tough game because West Ham are going very well and they’ve got some very good players, but all you can ask in a Cup competition is to be drawn at home.
We did well to get Everton back to Loftus Road, but I’ve got no thoughts that it’s going to be any easier now. I know it’s going to be very tough – things have been very even between us with a win each and a draw so far this season, but it’s a big opportunity for us to get on in a fantastic Cup competition and we’d like to progress. We’ve two home games to come if you like, and with our home form there’s no reason why we can’t do well.”
