After reentering the top division, the Cottagers were predicted to be relegated.
Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, is smug about his team's Premier League standing after remembering preseason predictions that they would be headed for the drop.
Even though this may be one of the tightest struggles for survival in recent memory, the club that won the championship the previous season is not one of those teams that is concerned about a potentially heartbreaking conclusion to the season.
Silva's team, though, is in 10th place, preserving their top-half standing despite only collecting seven points in their previous 10 league games.
You have to be happy, he added. Since I was aware of what everyone was saying about Fulham at the start of the season, you should be extremely proud. I was aware that we were likely to be demoted.
"Some people even confidently predicted that we would be the first team demoted, and of course we must be happy about it. Not because of what the people said, even though they are required to respond and express their thoughts, but rather more for our own benefit.
"First and foremost for our fans because the last two Premier League seasons have been really difficult for them and they deserve much more. Secondly because I believe and have said since the final days of the previous campaign that I feel this football club belongs in the Premier League, and we have proven that throughout the season."
Silva's side recently defeated Liverpool and league leaders Manchester City, but Fulham's opponent in Leicester is in a very different battle. Nevertheless, Silva plans to approach Monday's match with the same general attitude.
Nothing has changed in terms of preparedness, he added. We always get ready in the same manner, albeit with various tactics.
"Although Liverpool is slightly different from City, we were aware that we wouldn't likely have the ball as frequently as we would want.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0