Home
PHIL Parkinson had only one complaint after watching his side stall Fulham’s promotion charge.
The Wanderers boss was delighted to see Adam Le Fondre’s thunderous half-volley earn a point against the Championship’s in-form team.
But ever the perfectionist, Parkinson felt his team had given Fulham too much room to establish a lead in the first 15 minutes, supplied by Matt Targett’s header.
Both sides could have gone on to claim three points – Josh Vela shaving the bar with another fierce shot and Stefan Johansen hitting the side-netting after a mazy run.
Parkinson was pleased, however, with a result which gives Wanderers a chance to establish a comfortable five-point gap on the bottom three with their game in hand against Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
“It was a good point for us after going a goal down,” he said. “We all know Fulham have got real quality in their team but we have played them twice now and drawn on both occasions.
“Both teams could have won it – my only complaint was the first 10-15 minutes, we started slowly.
“We were the masters of our own downfall with some sloppy passes etc, but after that we were great. We got through that period, conceded the goal, but started playing with more belief.
“I said to the lads at half time ‘we know Fulham are a good team but let’s not give them too much respect’. We have got a good home record and take the first 11 games out of this season and we’d be up around mid-table.
“I felt as the game wore on we got more belief. We’d love to have got all three but against an excellent side it’s a good point for us.”
Fulham looked good for a second goal after Targett’s early header and Rui Fonte was denied one-on-one by Ben Alnwick moments later.
Substitutes Aleksander Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara also had shots saved at close range by the Bolton keeper later on but the Whites had their moments, and Zach Clough went close to scoring his first goal since returning to the Macron from Nottingham Forest on loan.
“I am quite disappointed with the way we started compared to how we played against Bristol City. I don’t know why – I’m sure I’ll figure it out over a couple of glasses of wine,” laughed the Wanderers boss.
“There was an instant on the touchline when the crowd just lifted and started to get on the ref’s back over something. The atmosphere changed and the players responded.
“All of a sudden we realised we could create chances against this team.
“As much as they are a very expansive team there is space down the side of their two centre-halves, which Sammy exploited really well. And Cloughy’s brightness nearly got him his goal.
“You have to admit both sides had chances and when Johnansen danced through at the end my heart was in my mouth.
“Fulham have scored more late goal than anyone else and the stats are there because they have lots of possession and can wear you down.
“But we pressed high today and made sure their keeper couldn’t pass it out from place kicks – we made them kick. And with our three centre-halves I always fancied us to win that first header and then it’s about reacting to the second ball.
“Once you win the ball, can you play? I think we are showing more and more that there is a different dimension to this team. I am enjoying watching us play.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/15986853.Parkinson_reveals_how_Wanderers_slowed_Fulham_s_promotion_charge/
The Wanderers boss was delighted to see Adam Le Fondre’s thunderous half-volley earn a point against the Championship’s in-form team.
But ever the perfectionist, Parkinson felt his team had given Fulham too much room to establish a lead in the first 15 minutes, supplied by Matt Targett’s header.
Both sides could have gone on to claim three points – Josh Vela shaving the bar with another fierce shot and Stefan Johansen hitting the side-netting after a mazy run.
Parkinson was pleased, however, with a result which gives Wanderers a chance to establish a comfortable five-point gap on the bottom three with their game in hand against Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
“It was a good point for us after going a goal down,” he said. “We all know Fulham have got real quality in their team but we have played them twice now and drawn on both occasions.
“Both teams could have won it – my only complaint was the first 10-15 minutes, we started slowly.
“We were the masters of our own downfall with some sloppy passes etc, but after that we were great. We got through that period, conceded the goal, but started playing with more belief.
“I said to the lads at half time ‘we know Fulham are a good team but let’s not give them too much respect’. We have got a good home record and take the first 11 games out of this season and we’d be up around mid-table.
“I felt as the game wore on we got more belief. We’d love to have got all three but against an excellent side it’s a good point for us.”
Fulham looked good for a second goal after Targett’s early header and Rui Fonte was denied one-on-one by Ben Alnwick moments later.
Substitutes Aleksander Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara also had shots saved at close range by the Bolton keeper later on but the Whites had their moments, and Zach Clough went close to scoring his first goal since returning to the Macron from Nottingham Forest on loan.
“I am quite disappointed with the way we started compared to how we played against Bristol City. I don’t know why – I’m sure I’ll figure it out over a couple of glasses of wine,” laughed the Wanderers boss.
“There was an instant on the touchline when the crowd just lifted and started to get on the ref’s back over something. The atmosphere changed and the players responded.
“All of a sudden we realised we could create chances against this team.
“As much as they are a very expansive team there is space down the side of their two centre-halves, which Sammy exploited really well. And Cloughy’s brightness nearly got him his goal.
“You have to admit both sides had chances and when Johnansen danced through at the end my heart was in my mouth.
“Fulham have scored more late goal than anyone else and the stats are there because they have lots of possession and can wear you down.
“But we pressed high today and made sure their keeper couldn’t pass it out from place kicks – we made them kick. And with our three centre-halves I always fancied us to win that first header and then it’s about reacting to the second ball.
“Once you win the ball, can you play? I think we are showing more and more that there is a different dimension to this team. I am enjoying watching us play.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/15986853.Parkinson_reveals_how_Wanderers_slowed_Fulham_s_promotion_charge/
