Lawrie Sanchez has declared ending Fulham’s wretched away form is his top priority after being confirmed as the club’s permanent manager. The Whites have not won in their past 17 away games and recorded only one away victory all season — back in September at Newcastle.
Fulham only managed a solitary away victory last term – at Manchester City – under former boss Chris Coleman. Sanchez wants to end the hoodoo by winning the last game of the season at Middlesbrough this afternoon and has been encouraged by his side’s away showings since he took over at Craven Cottage.
“We’ve played two away games already, against Reading and Arsenal, and I thought we could have won either of them,” said Sanchez. “The away record is a problem area which needs to be solved psychologically. You cannot afford to be in a situation like this a where you only win one away game over a season.
“The priority now is to get something at Middlesbrough. I want to get the five points I targeted when I took over. I thought we might have to go there under pressure but we can relax a bit and that might be good for the team.”
The Fulham boss may reward Clint Dempsey, who scored the winner against Liverpool and secured their top flight status, with a first start for the club. “He’s done well when he has come on and there is a good chance he’ll be rewarded with a start.”
