Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno is delighted with the Whites’ fantastic form since the resumption of the Premier League after his string of fine saves helped secure a third consecutive win at Leicester City last night.
The German international has been outstanding since replacing Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal after his move from Arsenal and kept his fourth clean sheet in sixteen games to keep the Foxes at bay. Marco Silva’s side have now climbed to seventh in the Premier League table and Leno told FFCTV after the final whistle:
“I think it is a big week. I think getting nine points after the break and also the way that we played was very impressive, so we are very happy and hopefully we can continue like this.”
The modest 30 year-old paid tribute to his team-mates after Fulham had to fight to keep their slender lead intact in the second period, having dominated the first half – which saw Aleksandar Mitrovic score his eleventh goal of the season.
“I think away from home to keep a clean sheet I think was just part of a great group today. I think we all suffered in the second half, the way we defended the goal – you could see the desire and passion to win that game was very impressive. There was a great atmosphere in the dressing room. The away fans were brilliant today – they were much louder than the home fans. They push us even in difficult moments and it feels like we have one more player on the pitch.
We dominated the first half, we calmed down the atmosphere and it was a little bit negative because I think Leicester is not in the best moment. We took the chance and that was the key the start of the game, also against Crystal Palace and Southampton the start was always the key as well. Hopefully we can continue do this in the next couple of games as well.”
Leno insisted that the players weren’t thinking about finishing in the top half or qualifying for Europe, but remained focus on achieving their first objective – staying in the top flight.
“I think we still have the aim to stay in the Premier League, we don’t look to Europe or something else. I think we have to go game to game. That’s how the manager prepares us, we don’t talk about anything else. That would be too much. The fans can dream, but we stay humble and we go step by step.”
Leno was brilliant again and fully deserved a clean sheet.He was also so correct that the Fulham supporters were fantastic and had no trouble outsinging the home support.
Well done COYW
Leno has been a great signing and one I will never know how FFC pulled it off, he had a brilliant game against Leicester and was the main reason we won the game. GKs don’t always get the credit they deserve, Leno does not seek the limelight, goes about his business in a professional manner and is a credit to the FFC shirt, we will have trouble keeping hold of him much the same way as with Van der Sar… lets enjoy him while we can….
So proud at the moment, the way they fought in the second half
Leno was a GIANT in this game. In fact he is being Great all season!!
Like a few others I felt sorry for Rodak especially after our last visit to the PL as he is a good keeper…. but Leno has been immense since starting and he had such a good game with save after save and fully deserved his MoM award. Thanks to all the players and staff who came across after the game as travelling supporters we appreciate the gesture as well