Parker keen to boost Fulham job hopes

Caretaker boss Scott Parker wants to use Fulham’s final seven games this season to “give a good impression” as he targets the job full-time – starting against Manchester City on Saturday (Fulham 16/1, Manchester City 1/8, Draw 8/1 – Match Result).

The 38-year-old former Cottagers midfielder was handed the job on an interim basis until the summer when Claudio Ranieri departed the club.

However, Parker has yet to pick up a point in his three matches at the helm as the Londoners look doomed to an immediate return to the Championship, sitting 13 points from safety with 21 remaining to play after managing just three wins in all season.

The main target now is to ensure they remain above Huddersfield in the table to avoid finishing bottom overall (4/1 – To Finish Bottom) and they boast a three-point lead over the Terriers as it stands.

Parker is adamant that the players will “fight and drive as well as we can to finish the season as strongly as possible”, while he is also keen to prove his worth with one eye on being given the task of guiding Fulham back to the top flight at the first attempt next season.

He said: “The only thing I can do is give a good impression, leave a mark. I’m looking at this as a long-term role, but ultimately I want to leave this club in a better position than when I took over.”

Title-chasing City (2/5 Outright) are up next for Fulham at Craven Cottage and Parker is relishing the prospect of facing Pep Guardiola’s side this weekend.

He added: “I feel like I’m saying the thing every week, but it’s another massive challenge for us. They’re a fantastic team with a manager who will go down as one of the greatest. But we’re looking forward to it.

“For all the big positives that have come from the last few matches, the points haven’t been there, but it’s been fine margins in all of the games.”

Odds subject to change.