Hodgson looks for positives
10 Feb 2008 - 10:47:15
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson refused to consider the prospect of relegation after looking for positives from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.
The 19th-placed Cottagers are now four points adrift of safety after seeing their winless run on the road this season stretch to 13 games.
However, an upbeat Hodgson claimed there were plenty of positive aspects to their latest disappointing result.
"I can't say I'm dissatisfied with our performance. We passed it quite well, we worked hard defensively and we showed a lot of grit," he claimed.
"It was Boro hanging on to their victory rather than us looking in danger of going more goals down.
"At this stage you have to take any signs of encouragement and there were signs of encouragement today."
However, Hodgson did admit that losing to another team with their own relegation troubles had made Fulham's task of avoiding the drop significantly harder.
"It was a major step in the right direction for them and a setback for us.
"We all know in this league two or three bad results on the spin can spiral you down there once again.
"I don't think Gareth Southgate will be nonchalant in any way or feeling the battle is won, but he is on the right track."