Neil Etheridge has given an interview to a Filipino media outlet reflecting on his Fulham debut. While he was happy with his performance, the 21 year-old goalkeeper accepts that he was at fault for Odense’s first goal and is bitterly disappointed that Fulham’s dismal second half showing saw them eliminated from the Europa League.
I was happy with my personal performance. But it’s a team sport and we were unable to produce a result.
Their first goal was down to me, I hold my hand up. It was a mistake that went down to not having enough experience, but it won’t happen again. I learn from mistakes. [They were] quite clever and moved the ball just before they hit it.
Etheridge, who was called in for a surprise debut after Mark Schwarzer was ruled out for six weeks with a spinal injury with David Stockdale ineligible for European competition, is now likely to have to be patient as he waits for a second first-team opportunity.
To have an England international you’re competing against (Stockdale) and an excellent goal keeper like Mark Schwarzer, it’s never easy, but I’ll just have to keep my head down and keep working. Hopefully, the manager will see this and when I get the chance, I’ll take it with both hands and try to impress.
