Fulham players need to be ‘horrible’ to avoid relegation after Aston Villa defeat, says Scott Parker

Fulham threw away a 1-0 lead as they were beaten by Aston Villa at the weekend

Parker has urged his players to win ugly (Getty Images)

Fulham manager Scott Parker has told his players they need to be ‘horrible’ if they are to avoid Premier League relegation.

The Cottagers spurned a 1-0 lead against Aston Villa on Sunday, capitulating in the final 12 minutes to lose 3-1.

And Parker, whose side now sit three points off safety, called for a change in mentality from his players as they prepare for the final seven games of the season.

Speaking after the match, he said: “I am disappointed with the way it goes, there is an innocence to it. They get themselves back in the game at 1-1 and it is silly, easy goals.

“In certain moments you have to understand where you are as a team and what the game needs. We didn’t manage that situation very well.

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“Sometimes in football matches you need a grit and understanding and need to be horrible. You get your nose in front with eight games left and 15 on the clock.

“We put ourselves in an unbelievable position. But we were sloppy in those moments and didn’t understand the dynamics of the game.

“For the last 15 minutes we were not good enough individually and as a team. It is a young team but there were some naïve, silly mistakes. At this moment where we are as a team and in this season we need to eradicate them.

“There is a way to lose football matches and I wasn’t pleased with the way we lost. But there are seven games left and everything to play for.”

Fulham face a tough run in as they still have to play the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

But it will be fixtures such as Wolves, Burnley and Southampton as well as a mouthwatering final day clash against Newcastle that will likely decide whether or not they avoid the drop.

Next up for Parker’s men is a home match against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves side on Friday.