MX23RW : Friday, March 1 09:09:10
Feb 27, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at ​St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 27,597
Southampton
2-0
Fulham
Romeu (23'), Ward-Prowse (40')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Ranieri: Belief will help Fulham in battle for Premier League survival

Ranieri: Belief will help Fulham in battle for Premier League survival
© Reuters
The Cottagers are eight points from safety.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri maintains everyone at the club must believe they can fight their way to Premier League survival against the odds.

The Cottagers are eight points from safety with 11 games to play and also have a worse goal difference than four of the bottom six.

After heading to fellow relegation-battlers Southampton on Wednesday night, Fulham host west-London neighbours Chelsea, before tackling Ranieri's old club Leicester.

March finishes with successive home matches against title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City.

Despite bookmakers and pundits alike expecting Fulham to be back in the Sky Bet Championship again next season, the Italian coach insists there is still plenty to play for.

"We have to be together, we have to believe. It's very, very important to show our supporters we can do this job," Ranieri said.

"The morale is good. The lads have trained well. They believe. It's a difficult situation, but I believe because they believe."

Should Fulham secure what would be a first away Premier League win of the season at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday night, it would lift them to within four points of the Saints – and potentially breathe new life into their survival fight.

"This is a crucial match," Ranieri said.

"I said many times, every match for us is like a final, and we have to play with this in our minds. Every ball is important. I am confident in my players.

"I hope tomorrow we do something good to achieve a good result."

Ranieri added at a press conference ahead of the match: "I expect a lot of pressure from Southampton – they move the ball very quickly, they play directly.

"It's important for us to create chances to score the goals."

Fulham had taken an early lead at West Ham last Friday night through Ryan Babel, only to end up beaten 3-1 and suffer a third-straight defeat.

Ranieri knows his team must quickly learn how to make the most of building on their foothold in games if they are to somehow drag themselves clear of the relegation zone.

"Think how many times we have started well and scored goals. We have done it against Leicester, Wolves, West Ham, Burnley," the Fulham boss said.

"We have scored a goal and let it go. That must be our strength and we must grow from that. Together we must try to score a second.

"We concede so many times. We score first, but we draw or lose. Imagine if we won against Wolves, Leicester, even the last match.

"We would have more points, but that's the Premier League."


Click here for more stories about Claudio Ranieri

Click here for more stories about Fulham

Share this article now:
Watford's Gerard Deulofeu inflicts misery on Cardiff City hearts on February 22, 2019
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Lacazette, Deulofeu, Alisson
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28216164154969
2Manchester CityMan City28222475205568
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs28200855292660
4Arsenal28175660382256
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28167555361955
6Chelsea27165647291853
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28117103535040
8Watford28117103940-140
9Everton28106123939036
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham28106123541-636
11Leicester CityLeicester28105133439-535
12Bournemouth28104143953-1434
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2887132634-831
14Crystal Palace2886143238-630
15Burnley2886143150-1930
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2776142941-1227
17Southampton2869133046-1627
18Cardiff CityCardiff2874172555-3025
19Fulham2845192663-3717
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2835201550-3514

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account