Sonny Hilton has been delighted with the way Fulham’s under 23s have taken a firm stranglehold on the Premier League 2 Division 2 top spot – and the midfielder wants to secure promotion as well as the title with a win over Aston Villa at Motspur Park this evening.
The under 23s skipper told FFCTV that coach Steve Wigley had instilled in the squad a ‘one game at a time mantra’ that ensures the players won’t get too far ahead of themselves, but Hilton admitted he had been pleased with how the side has blazed a trail at the top of the table this term.
“We’re all played a massive part in the team performances. We’ve showed on the pitch that when everyone clicks, everything goes right for us, then we’re a good enough team to beat anyone on their day.”
An example of Fulham’s excellence came in the under 23s last outing – a 6-1 dismantling of Newcastle that defied belief as the visitors scored four in the first twenty minutes, much to Hilton’s own astonishment.
“First twelve minutes, Luke Harris scored an a hat trick and from there it was just like, ‘What’s happening?’ I said to the ref when we scored the first two goals, ‘How long have we played?’ He said: ‘Three minutes.’ Jesus! Everything clicked. Every time we had an attack we looked like we were going to score. I’m actually surprised we didn’t score more.”
Hilton knows Villa – the only side to hold the Whites to a draw in the league this season – won’t be easy opposition this evening but admits that he is desperate to see this squad tested at the highest level of under-23 football.
“It’s our target to get up there and play against the best. It helps with our careers as well – playing against bigger teams and the talent from the other clubs. It can just help us all together.”
