Centre back Joachim Andersen was delighted after Fulham recorded a massive win by beating bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Craven Cottage last night.
The Whites moved to within three points of safety after Ademola Lookman’s second half strike sunk the Blades. The Danish defender felt Fulham’s recent improved performances fully merited a return of seven points in a week, which has breathed new life into Fulham’s bid to beat the drop.
Andersen told FulhamFCTV after the final whistle:
“When we came into the dressing room, everyone was buzzing and, like you said, it’s been a fantastic week and something we’ve been waiting for and something we deserved because we played so well in the last months and we didn’t get the results we wanted. This week, we are getting there and we’re getting seven points out of nine and that’s really positive and we just have to continue now.
He was delighted with another composed defensive showing that left goalkeeper Alphonse Areola almost a spectator until his late, vital intervention at the feet of Jayden Bogle.
“We spoke about how it was going to be a little bit the same game like Burnley. They also want to play long balls to McBurnie and I think we dealt with that really, really well – also against Burnley we did well. A clean sheet is always good – but to be fair, I just want to win, I don’t care about the clean sheet now! Of course, a clean sheet helps the team and if we can have a clean sheet and a win that’s always good.”
Andersen said that Fulham upped the intensity after the break having dominated the first half but failed to convert a number of presentable chances that had come their way.
“We spoke in the half-time [interval] about that. We were doing really well but we needed more people in the box because we need to have four or five players in there because it’s more difficult for defenders. I know that as a defender – it’s more difficult with bodies around you – and I think we did that better in the second half and we had some big, big chances to make it two or three nil. We have to do that better. We still have to finish our chances and that’s something we are working on.”
He denied that Scott Parker’s side had switched to a more direct approach after the interval, insisting that Fulham had always intended to try and play balls behind the Blades’ backline. It was Andersen’s own superb pass that unlocked the Sheffield United defence for Lookman’s winner.
“That was something we spoke about already before the game. There was no difference from the first half to the second half in the way we were playing with the ball. I think maybe there were a little bit tired and there was more space. Also, for the goal with Ade there was more space in behind. You know if you can get Ade or some of the other offensive goes one on one things are going to happen and luckily we scored.”
Andersen is targeting another three points at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace next week as the Whites look to pile more pressure on the teams directly above them in the table.
“Again, a game we need to win. A game we can win. I think Crystal Palace is a team that suits us; we just have to play our game. Like I said, we’ve been doing so well for months now and we just missed the small things. It seems that things are coming our way now. I hope we can build on that and continue.”
