Boss Parker hails Fulham duo
Boss Scott Parker says he has been impressed by the impact that both Aboubakar Kamara and Bobby Decordova-Reid have had in Fulham’s recent run of form.
Kamara has been behind current Championship top scorer Aleksandar Mitrović in the Whites’ pecking order up top since the Serb’s arrival in January 2018, and had a somewhat rocky relationship with the club at times, but Parker praised his patience and tenacity since returning from his loan spell in Turkey last season.
“A special comment for him, really,” Parker said. “He’s had to wait a long while to get his opportunity, which had come last week.
“You only take the opportunities to score two goals [against QPR on Friday] and perform like he did against Derby if you prepare right before that chance. He’s trained well, put himself in a physical shape. Fair play to him.”
In addition to his double against Fulham’s local rivals when he stepped in for the suspended Mitrović, the Frenchman was rewarded with another starting berth and capitalised by adding a pin-point assist in the 3-0 demolition of Derby, though he hobbled off through injury early in the second half.
“He justified it [his selection]. His all-round play, his work ethic, everything about him was first-class,” Parker said.
On the injury, Parker added: “We’ll assess it and see where we are. It looks like he’s rolled his ankle.”
A similar evaluation will be made on the hamstring of Bobby Decordova-Reid, who played in a more advanced role behind Mitrović and notched his first goal in Fulham colours on Tuesday evening before being substituted as a precaution.
And though it has taken 17 matches for the Cardiff loanee to find the net for the Whites – much to his head coach’s surprise – Parker has been equally satisfied with Decordova-Reid’s versatility and attitude.
“The way you see him tonight is probably in his best position,” said the former Whites captain. “He’s a player who takes everything on board, whatever you ask of him. He’s always in and around it. He scored his first goal for us tonight but, to be honest with you, it’s quite remarkable that it’s taken this long.
“He’s been top class since he’s come in. Maybe the goals have not been there, but in terms of the work ethic and mentality, he’s everything we want in our squad.”
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