MX23RW : Monday, April 5 12:01:29| >> :120:76896:76896:

Scott Parker: 'We are a different animal now'

Scott Parker: 'We are a different animal now'
© Reuters
Scott Parker's side were beaten 4-3 at Elland Road in September.

Scott Parker insists Fulham are now a "different animal" to the team which suffered a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road in September.

The Cottagers host Marcelo Bielsa's side at Craven Cottage on Friday night knowing a win would lift them out of the relegation zone for the first time since December.

Fulham's defence has seen a marked improvement since the start of the season, when they shipped 10 goals in their opening three matches, keeping five clean sheets since the start of February, including in the shock win away at Liverpool.

"There is no pressure, the pressure comes from us," Parker said.

"It is about us getting three points on Friday night and putting in a performance. That is our focus."

"We are a different team, certainly a different animal this time round. You can see that with the personnel and the way the team has grown and developed.

"It is a different side to when we last played. We take things from that game and other games, but us as a team have moved on from when we last played them."

Leeds have tended to struggle in recent years on trips to the capital, with Bielsa yet to secure a victory in any of his 15 matches in London since arriving at the club in June 2018.

"It's tough, they're a very tough side, a unique side in terms of the way they are set up," Parker said when asked about Friday's opponents.

"It's unique, you don't come across it a lot in this division – had it a couple of times last year. The intensity they play at is always one you need to match.

"We were in the same league last year and have played them once this year, so we understand fully what Leeds bring, their energy and the intensity of the game. It's a big game.

"They commit a lot of bodies forward, they score a lot of goals. They are right up there in the charts in terms of chances created and bodies in the box. They always commit a high volume of bodies and their games are expensive (in terms of goals conceded) at times. So, while that cause you stress and pressure, there is an opportunity at times to get at them on transition on counter-attacks.

"But you need to be able to (deal with) the intensity and the numbers they create, so your structure has got to be good and individually you have got to be tuned in on that. But there is an opportunity you can try and exploit and try and be deadly as well."

ID:439755: cacheID:439755:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3624:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa pictured on February 27, 2021
Read Next:
Can Leeds United end their London hoodoo at Fulham?
>
Read more about Scott Parker Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Cup
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City31235366214574
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd30179458332560
3Leicester CityLeicester30175853341956
4Chelsea30149746301651
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs30147951321949
6Liverpool30147951361549
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham29147845351049
8Everton28144104037346
9Aston Villa291351142311144
10Arsenal30126124035542
11Leeds UnitedLeeds30133144748-142
12Crystal Palace29107123147-1637
13Southampton30106143953-1436
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2998122838-1035
15Burnley3089132440-1633
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton30711123338-532
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3078153050-2029
18Fulham31511152441-1726
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom3049172559-3421
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3042241752-3514

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!