Fulham under 18s skipper Stefan Parkes knows Fulham will have to be at their best when they take on league leaders Southampton at Motspur Park this morning.
The Saints have won each of their last three league fixtures, scoring eleven goals in the process, and are currently a point clear of West Ham at the top of the table with a game in hand. Parkes told Fulham’s official website that his team will be ready to raise their game, having been easily beaten at Staplewood earlier in the season.
“It’s going to be another tough battle this weekend, but I’m sure all the boys are up for it! Southampton are a top side in great form and a win against them this Saturday would be a great testament to the work we put in week in week out.
Of course, getting one back over them would be nice and obviously no one wants to lose, but revenge isn’t on the forefront of our minds and we can’t get caught up in that mindset. Our main focus is to be the best we can be, improve as much as we can and give it 110% everyday. If we continue to hold ourselves to these high standards then come Saturday, I feel the result will take care of itself.”
The full back feels the squad have grown in confidence after winning at Chelsea in the local derby and knocking Manchester City out of the Premier League Cup and praised the character of the team for emerging from a disappointing run of form to play some of their best football of the campaign.
“I wouldn’t say we’ve changed much to be honest. I mean each week we constantly keep training hard, in and around the training ground and so it was only a matter of time before we got back to winning ways. I also feel it says a lot about the characters that we have in the squad, that we were able to endure a rough spell and yet still be able to fight as hard as we do now.”
