Hodgson backs Fulham after Palace win

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Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes that Fulham have what it takes to turn around their poor start to the season.

Hodgson’s side inflicted a fifth defeat for Fulham in six games through his typically compact, well-organised style of play at Craven Cottage.




But the former Whites manager, who famously steered them to Premier League safety in the 2007/08 season before reaching the Europa League final in 2010, says that their current crop made a positive impression on him as they adapt to life in the top flight.

“I saw enough from them, especially in the first half. They move the ball around very well,” Hodgson said.

“I thought they created not an awful lot of clear opportunities, but I saw enough in their general pattern of play to show that they’re going to ask a lot of questions of very many defences.”

Meanwhile, current head coach Scott Parker – who played for England under Hodgson’s helm at Euro 2012 – reiterated his determination to be more incisive in attack, now that his side has tightened up at the back.

“From my point of view, we need to learn from exactly how this game panned out today, in the sense that we had a dominance about us but lacked the shots and dynamism in the final third,” Parker said, after only three of Fulham’s 16 shots found the target on Saturday.

“I don’t think confidence is proving to be an issue. [It’s] the dynamics of this division [that] we need to learn and pick up.

“We’re a young team and a team still trying to gel. There were some big positives today. But we have to dust ourselves down.”

Parker added: “We’ve been in this situation before, when the chips are down. You have to face up, keep working hard, and hopefully come out of the other side. And I’m sure we will.”