Source: Eurosport
Hodgson wants strong Fulham finish
Fulham may have banished any lingering fears of relegation but boss Roy Hodgson insists they will not ease up during the Premier League run-in.
The Cottagers head to Manchester City on Sunday looking up at the European qualification places rather than over their shoulders at the battle to beat the drop, and Hodgson is demanding a strong finish to the season.
"My major concern now, having reached a position of relative safety, is that we keep the levels of performance up in the last seven games to give us the position in the table that we would like," said Hodgson.
"All season we have been very cautious, we've said all along that our major concern is safety.
"But I think now we have reached 40 points at this stage of the season we can forget about relegation.
"There are seven games left which is about 20% of the season and we want to make the last 20% of the season as good as the first 80%.
"We want to make certain that we finish well and not leave a bad taste in our mouths by not keeping up that level of performance and allowing ourselves to relax.
"Even in games we've lost this season we've always been in there fighting and I am very anxious for that to continue.
"Seventh spot and a place in next season's Europa League is now a realistic possibility, although Hodgson will not lose too much sleep if they fall just short.
"I think Europe will be something that just happens to one team," he added.
"I don't think any of the teams who could finish seventh are saying they want to be in Europe. It's more a question of seeing how well we play the last seven games.
"If we got to two or three games left and the goal was in sight then teams might say 'we fancy it', but with seven games to go most of us will wait and see.
"If it happens it happens and we'll be very glad - but let's make certain we don't let the season degenerate."
