MX23RW : Thursday, January 16 21:03:36| >> :60:118:118:

Scott Parker: 'Fulham are still active in the transfer market'

Scott Parker: 'Fulham are still active in the transfer market'
© Reuters
The Cottagers fielded four debutants in their midweek Carabao Cup win over Ipswich.

Manager Scott Parker insists Fulham are still in the market for new players as they prepare for their second Premier League match of the season against Leeds on Saturday.

Last season's Sky Bet Championship play-off winners struggled on their top-flight return as Arsenal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the season opener at Craven Cottage.

However, Parker has reasons to be optimistic after his side, which included four debutants in Alphonse Areola, Mario Lemina, Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson, progressed through to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 victory over Ipswich.

The 39-year-old is also hoping to add more faces to his squad before the end of the summer transfer window on October 5, but remains wary after the club spent more than £100million when they were last promoted to the Premier League in 2018.

"We're in the market to bring some players in to try and improve us," Parker said.

"We've done some business in some players but, at the same time, I think we all realise where we need to improve and where we need to strengthen from the last time we were in the Premier League.

"And obviously realising that, we're going to try and do that if we can."

Aleksandar Mitrovic netted his 50th goal for the club at Portman Road on Tuesday night on his 102nd appearance, and finished last season as the Championship's golden boot winner with 26 goals.

However, midfielder Tom Cairney was next on Fulham's leading scorers list with eight, and attack is one of the areas Parker wants to strengthen.

The former England international said: "I think it's clear defensively we've not brought in many players. Obviously we brought in some full-backs but certainly in the central areas we've not brought in many players.

"Everywhere else in the squad and around the pitch I think we've improved. Certainly in the midfield we brought in some players and a goalie as well, but I think front half and defensively those are areas which we're hopefully looking to try and improve and make us better."

When asked whether he was concerned about an over-reliance on Mitrovic, Parker said: "I think for sure goals need to come from all over the pitch, and we need to get that from midfield and from our wide areas, of course.

"But I think like any team there's going to be a central figure.

"If you look at any team there's always going to be a central figure that gets you the most goals and Mitro's obviously that man for us. He was last year and I'm sure he's going to be that man for us this year."

ID:414734: cacheID:414734:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4194:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fulham manager Scott Parker pictured on July 22, 2020
Read Next:
Scott Parker intends to rotate Fulham squad for Ipswich cup tie
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
8Bournemouth219753225734
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
14Crystal Palace215972328-524
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
16Everton203891526-1117
17Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!