Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale doesn’t believe in omens.
The Whites remain in the Premier League relegation zone this week despite claiming a dramatic win at Aston Villa on Saturday to drag themselves off the foot of the table.
Five games remain in their bid to stage a great escape and they face Norwich City this weekend in a real six-pointer as they look to close the five-point gap to the Canaries.
It’s a high-pressure game, however the signs all point to three points for Stockdale and his team-mates at Craven Cottage.
Norwich are a club in turmoil, having sacked boss Chris Hughton this week after a poor run of results and replaced him with youth coach Neil Adams.
And Fulham have already beaten City at home and away this season having won at Carrow Road on Boxing Day and knocked them out of the FA Cup a month later.
But despite recent history being on their side, Stockdale is not one to favour the form book and says the Whites will have to do it all themselves if they are to clip the Canaries’ wings.
“I don't like saying things like that,” came the response from Stockdale when asked if he thought the omens were good for the visit of Norwich.
“We've beaten them so we know can do it so if we play like that, and like how we played against Villa and against Everton, then we will do fine. It's a hope game so if the fans can get up again [like they did at Villa] then we'll have a good chance.”
Thousands of Fulham fans made the trip to Villa Park at the weekend to witness a stunning victory, creating a great noise in the away section.
It did not go unnoticed by the Whites players and Stockdale would love more of the same from the fans at the Cottage this weekend.
“I think they [the fans] were maybe the difference,” Stockdale said of the Villa triumph. “They were driving us forward and there was no booing or anything and considering we were the bottom club, all the credit goes to them today.
“All of the lads and the staff showed how much they appreciate that. I'm enjoying playing and I'd like to keep a few more clean sheets, but as long as we keep winning I don't really care.”
