Fulham manager Scott Parker has heaped praise on Ademola Lookman for the way the winger responded to his penalty miss against West Ham.
The ex-Everton forward badly botched an attempted paneka in the last minute of injury time at the London Stadium, allowing Lukasz Fabianksi to make a simple save and costing his side a crucial point. It might have derailed a promising start to Lookman’s season-long loan spell from RB Leipzig, but the Fulham boss has been delighted with how the wide man has responded to his dreadful error.
He made a mistake in what he did. He understands that and had to take his medicine. We are surrounded by people who take enjoyment sometimes out of mistakes and failure. They will be making little videos and other stuff on social media which I’m sure would have been pretty hurtful and could have been damaging.
So for him to bounce back like he has is very impressive. But then I didn’t expect anything else from him. I can see he is still a young lad developing and who still has chinks in his character – not as a player but as a young man, who can get easily disappointed sometimes. That’s part and parcel of being young and growing up. On the flip side I see someone who is so determined to improve, and who loves his football.
Lookman, 23, bounced back with the opening goal in Fulham’s surprise win at Leicester City earlier this month and Parker praised his professionalism that has clearly made a real impression at Motspur Park.
He is literally the last player out on the training ground every day – taking free kicks, or whatever. He is constantly practicing them. That gives him the foundation and something to fall back on. Since that penalty miss he’s been first class for us this year and he will continue to be vitally important.
