Zat Knight wants to start a new unbeaten run by beating Derby County and progressing in the FA Cup after Fulham’s fine recent form was ended with defeat at Anfield.
The Fulham defender is fully focused on the FA Cup replay against tough First Division opposition this weekend after the disappointment of losing to Liverpool. He told Fulham’s official website that his team-mates were upset to be beaten on Merseyside:
“It’s come to an end, but it came to an end against a good team and hopefully we can start it off again against Derby at the weekend. We’ve got to put the defeat behind us, and we know that if we can get past Derby in the Cup then we’ve got an excellent chance of progressing further against Bolton.
It was disappointing to lose. I thought we played really well in the first half – we went a goal down and then did really well to come back into it. To go in at the break 1-1 was a good result for us. But then in the second half we had a few decisions that didn’t go our way and they punished us for a couple of mistakes. It’s more disappointing than anything else; to go up there and do all right and come away with nothing is very frustrating.
Knight feels that Fulham may benefit from having a settled side for the first time in a long time as senior players make their way back to fitness.
“It has been up and down this season with injuries and suspensions. But everyone’s coming back – I think it’s only Steed that’s out now. We’ve got twelve games left and we’re determined to make it a good end to the season. It does make things a bit healthier with a full squad – you know that if you’re not playing well the manager’s got options. We’ve got Alain back who’s desperate to play, Pearcey who’s desperate to play, so it really does keep everyone on their toes.”
