#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admits Fulham game was expected to be challenging for Cherries #AFCB

Gary O’Neil
Gary O’Neil

INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil expects Fulham to provide Cherries with a “tough afternoon” at Craven Cottage tomorrow, with Marco Silva’s men posing “lots of different strengths that control you”. The two newly-promoted clubs have made impressive starts to life back in the Premier League, currently sitting in eighth and ninth in the table after nine matches. O’Neil’s charges head to the capital on a five match unbeaten run, while the Cottagers have stumbled to back-to-back defeats, against Newcastle and West Ham. Looking ahead to the contest in west London (3pm),

Gary O’Neil said: “It’s a real challenge. They’re a good side. They have a real defined way of playing that they stick to. But within that they have lots of different strengths that control you. They play through their shape really well. They obviously have (Aleksandar) Mitrovic, who is a massive threat, if they decide to go direct and crosses and set pieces. They are a threat on the sides with tricky wingers. They’re a good side. It’s going to be a tough afternoon for us, for sure. But one that we’re well prepared for and hopefully we can go there and give a real good account of ourselves again.”

Fulham’s three wins this season have come against Brentford, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. They also picked up points with draws against Liverpool and Wolves.