Fulham boss Scott Parker's verdict on Sheffield United and Chris Wilder ahead of Sunday's clash

Scott Parker, the Fulham boss, admits that Sunday's clash with Sheffield United is "a big game for both teams" as both look for their first points of the Premier League season.
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But Parker also knows that it's too early to make any firm predictions about either side's fate this season.

“When you’re in the Premier League and you’re against teams of that quality, teams like Sheffield United, along with a bunch of 10 or 12 teams in this division, can lose football matches,” the Fulham boss said.

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“The fine margins of this league, sometimes you can be on the end of a bad result. I think what Chris has done at Sheffield United is nothing short of incredible.

“A team and a side which did remarkably well last year, and I have no doubt they’ll go and pick up some results and do well again this year.

“They have an unbelievable work ethic, they have a real understanding of how they play in terms of their structure.”

Both sides will be without some key players at Bramall Lane on Sunday. United could be without John Egan after he was listed as a contact of an Irish teammate who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, while David McGoldrick, John Fleck and Oli Burke are all struggling with injury.

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Fulham's new signing Joachim Anderson, meanwhile, is out for ‘some weeks’, Parker revealed.

Fulham manager Scott Parker: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.Fulham manager Scott Parker: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.
Fulham manager Scott Parker: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

“Chris has been a manager a lot longer than me, but we’ve both been around football long enough and understand that you can lose football matches," Parker added.

“Four games in is still early days, so I’m sure there’s a levelness about Sheffield United. But they’ve also not won a game this year, so will be eager to get onto that, like we are.

“Like I constantly say, we know where we are. Of course we’re all desperate and we’re all working tirelessly – players, staff, everyone at the football club – to try and get the results.”

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“It’s a big game for us, and it’s exactly the same for Sheffield United," Parker added.

"It’s a big game for both teams, but what game isn’t? Every game is going to be big for us this year.

“Of course there may be an extra bit on it because both teams haven’t got any points on the board as of yet.

“Every game is going to be big for us this year, and this weekend’s going to be no different. As always, we’ll prepare and go into the game to try and win it.

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“It’s a tough game ahead, yes, for sure, but one which we’re looking forward to.”

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