'Parker Is Lifting The Mood At Fulham'
- This week's Opposition View comes from Football London writer Ryan O'Donovan
- The capital-based journalist says Scott Parker has already had a positive impact at Fulham
- Supporters reacted warmly to an improved performance last weekend, O'Donovan says
- Leicester City host Fulham at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off)
- Live coverage is available from 1pm GMT on Saturday, courtesy of LCFC Radio
The west London side are 10 points adrift of safety with nine matches to play and head to King Power Stadium to tackle Leicester City on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off).
Under both Slaviša Jokanović and former Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri, Fulham have not won an away match all season, ahead of Parker’s first game on the road in caretaker charge.
While Parker’s maiden fixture ended in a 2-1 defeat by rivals Chelsea last weekend, their second half performance was much-improved and was appreciated by supporters.
“I think it’s changed the mood massively,” O’Donovan told LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live programme, part of the four-hours of coverage available for free on Saturday afternoon.
“Changing the manager has lifted the mood a little and, in his interviews, Parker has mentioned a lot about wanting to heal the rift between the fans and the players.
“He’s made that his main concern. With a 10-point gap with nine games left, everyone looks at that as a step too far, so I don’t think Premier League survival is Parker’s main concern.
“The priority that he’s been tasked with is healing that rift and we saw that on Sunday against Chelsea, the players looked confident and left to a standing ovation.
“It’s changed the complex between the fans and the players and, while there’s still a long way to go, it’s certainly lifted the mood.
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“A lot of these players were here before he retired so I think he feels that he knows how to motivate them and, having seen him on the sidelines, he sees which way to push their buttons.
“He knows how to get the best out of these players, so they all seem to want to play for him.
“Fulham haven’t won away from home all season so I’m not really expecting that to change on Saturday if I’m honest.”
O’Donovan expects Fulham to be confronted by a resurgent Leicester City outfit on Filbert Way this weekend as Brendan Rodgers’ methods begin to take shape.
The Northern Irishman takes charge of his first home match at the Club against the Cottagers and has already stated his desire to reinvigorate the Club’s home form this season.
O’Donovan added: “Leicester now have themselves a very, very good manager. He’s very good at motivating and building young players and he plays a good style of football.
“We saw that at Swansea, Liverpool and Celtic, so in terms of what I’m expecting, it will be tough for Fulham but everyone hopes they’ll play with something about them.
“They’re playing for Parker and a lot of the players want him to get the job, so it’ll be down to their performances.
“I think they’re going to put in a performance for their new manager but, it’s Rodgers’ first home game in charge and he’ll be wanting a positive result.”
The Pre-Match Pint begins at 1pm GMT on LCFC Radio, followed by Matchday Live, taking you through from pre-match discussion to full-time and post-match reaction.