Claudio Ranieri: Fulham's defenders must ‘play like pirates’ to prevent relegation

The 67-year-old held his first press conference as Fulham manager today

Claudio Ranieri has said he needs Fulham’s defenders to “play like pirates” as he bids to plaster the West Londoner’s leaking defensive vessel.

The 67-year-old Premier League winning manager held his introductory press conference as Fulham manager today and admitted his first priority was to plaster the holes in a defence which has already conceded 31 goals in 12 games and is still yet to keep a clean sheet.

Fulham are currently bottom of the table with only one win to their name and only Macclesfield, who are sunken to the bottom of League Two, boast a worse goal difference than the Whites in English football.

Claudio Ranieri says reinforcing Fulham’s defence is his greatest priority (AFP/Getty)

“For me, it’s important to put in the brain of my players this philosophy. Play football, play well, but when you lose the ball I want to see you like pirates,” Ranieri said.

“If there is only quality, without organisation, defensive tactics, it’s difficult to help the players to maintain the clean sheet.

“When I watched some matches I said this team has enough quality to be saved. Now I repeat: I need fighting spirit,” he continued. “Quality with the fighting spirit [and] we can do a good job.”

Slavisa Jokanovic, who was sacked on Wednesday after three years at the club, launched an attack on the wailing efforts of his players after their dismal defeat to Huddersfield.

One of Ranieri’s famous quirks with the Foxes was to reward his players with pizza if they could deliver a clean sheet, but the Italian admitted that suring up Fulham’s defence may require greater sustenance.

“Pizza is not enough now,” Ranieri jested. “I have to promise something more. It’s better everybody to McDonald’s. I look always forward. I’m an ambitious man. I believe I have good players,” he said.

Slavisa Jokanovic was sacked on Wednesday after three years at Fulham (Getty)

“Fulham conceded a lot of goals. I am an Italian manager, and for us Italians, it’s important to maintain the clean sheet.

“When you play the defensive way, from the strikers, it’s important everyone is involved.”

“Now I have to choose players who show me fighting spirit. With quality, fighting spirit and unity, the players help each other.”

It was the ability to conjure a sturdy defence which caused Shahid Khan to label Ranieri a “risk-free” appointment, despite his eventual sacking at Leicester just nine months after winning the title.

Ranieri will be afforded the grace of the international break to imprint his image onto the team, with the first test of his tenure coming at Craven Cottage on 24 November against similarly ailing Southampton.