Lawrie Sanchez was pleased that Fulham finally answered their critics by putting Reading to the sword at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The Fulham boss felt that his team had answered some of the questions posed of them by many of the English game’s leading pundits.
“A lot of questions were asked of me and my team coming into this game and we answered them in the best possible way. We’ve come into a game against a good team like Reading and to play so well was good. It was a good test for us.
We’re the best first-half team in the league. Questions were asked when Reading equalised in the second half but they showed what they were all about. “I’m pleased for the players. We’ve rebuilt the team here. We had two almost debutants because of injuries and suspensions but we’ve put together a great victory.”
Sanchez praised matchwinner Simon Davies for his decisive contribution.
“I thought he was excellent today. “He’s an unsung hero. He gives a high level of performance every week but doesn’t get a lot of plaudits. He’s a really good player to have around. I’m pleased with him as well as the other 10 boys.”
He now feels that this result could kickstart what has been a sluggish season so far at Craven Cottage.
“You can see from the players afterwards that they want to do well for Fulham. They come onto the field and they’re learning as they go along. It’s a great win today. Hopefully it’s the start of many more.”
The Fulham manager was pleased to swing the game in Fulham’s favour when he replaced Hameur Bouazza and Diomansy Kamara with Shefki Kuqi and David Healy at 1-1.
“Sometimes they go for you but you can also live or die by substitutions. “Martin Jol was pilloried here when he took off Robbie Keane and we hit back for a draw. The introduction of Shefki was quite important. He won his first header and the crowd got behind him. It was a pity in a way he didn’t score our second goal but it was his leap that did it and Clint picked up the pieces.
Shefki livened us up and David’s only a sub because he needs to play alongside a big front man. He’s missed Brian McBride but we should have him back from his knee injury before long. I’ve got a lot of forwards here and it is hard squeezing them all into the same team. I’m pleased for David after he missed a similar chance last week. That’s the first time he and Shefki have played together.”
