Fulham boss Arbeloa on his players’ attitude, early pressure on him and fans booing

Alvaro Arbeloa says he has been encouraged by the response of his Fulham players in training following their latest defeat.

The Fulham boss has praised the attitude shown ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool, having lost their opening three games of the Premier League season.

“I think you learn more about a group after a defeat than after a win, and they have worked with a very positive attitude this week,” Arbeloa said.

“When you’re a player and you aren’t playing, you can’t be happy. I expect that feeling from my players that aren’t playing. I want them to show me they aren’t happy in our training sessions.

“I can see how hard they are working. I feel I have a very good group with a very good attitude.”

Arbeloa also insisted he remains focused on improving Fulham over the longer term and says he has the backing of the club to turn things around.

“I haven’t just come here for three games or a month in charge, I’ve come here because I wanted to improve this team,” he said. “That’s where my energy goes.”

Some Fulham supporters booed the team’s performance last time out, but Arbeloa has urged the fans to remain behind his players.

“We are a very strong team when our fans are behind us,” he added. “They want to see us win games – we know that – but we are stronger with them behind us.”