MX23RW : Sunday, March 3 17:48:22
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 insists Fulham players are responding to his methods

Ranieri insists Fulham players are responding to his methods
© Reuters
Fulham have lost seven of their last eight Premier League games.

Under-pressure manager Claudio Ranieri believes Fulham's players are responding to his methods, despite the club's perilous Premier League position.

The 19th-placed Cottagers look almost certain to be playing Championship football next season after falling 10 points adrift of safety following a damaging 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Southampton.

Wednesday's setback on the south coast was a seventh loss from eight top-flight games for Ranieri's side and was greeted with anger and protests from the travelling fans.

Despite the precarious situation at Craven Cottage, the Italian feels his squad are trying their best to implement his tactics.

"Yes, I think so. But this question you have to ask to the players, not to me," he said.

"Always, I'd say 'yes, they respond'.

"We tried to do our best but that's it, the maximum my players can do."

Ranieri replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic in November and his tenure began in positive fashion with a dramatic 3-2 victory in the home game against Southampton.

Since then, the 67-year-old has taken just nine points from a possible 45, including the defeat at St Mary's which was inflicted by first-half goals from Saints pair Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse.

He faced chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' from Fulham supporters following his second-half substitutions, while banners questioning his appointment and in support of predecessor Jokanovic were unfurled in the away end.

Ranieri, who faces upcoming games against former clubs Chelsea and Leicester before daunting back-to-back matches against title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City, said after the game that he was unsure if could lose his job.

Victory for the hosts ended a four-match winless run and moved them out of the relegation zone and into 17th place above Cardiff.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl praised the response of his players to recent poor form and feels the result puts a different complexion on Saturday's trip to in-form Manchester United.

"It's not a shame to fail, because it's all about failing in football," said the Austrian.

"It's about how you stand up again and the team was showing that they knew exactly what to do.

"It's a completely different situation now as if you lose (to Fulham) and you go to Man United.

"It's important that we give a clear focus on what we did very good and maybe also a chance to take something in Man U."


Click here for more stories about Claudio Ranieri

Click here for more stories about Fulham

Share this article now:
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri despairs on February 22, 2019
Read Next:
Ranieri: Belief will help Fulham in battle for Premier League survival
>

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
Premier League
Scottish Cup
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Argentine Primera Division
Major League Soccer
Liga MX
Uruguayan Primera Division
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Chinese Super League
Indian I-League
International Friendlies
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City29232476205671
2Liverpool29217164154970
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs29201856302661
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd29177558382058
5Arsenal29176661392257
6Chelsea28175649301956
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29127103735243
8Watford29118104041-141
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham29116123741-439
10Everton29107123939037
11Leicester CityLeicester29106133540-536
12Bournemouth29104153954-1534
13Crystal Palace2996143539-433
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2987142636-1031
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2886143041-1130
16Burnley2986153253-2130
17Southampton2969143249-1727
18Cardiff CityCardiff2974182557-3225
19Fulham2945202765-3817
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2935211551-3614

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