QPR striker Matt Smith convinced former club Fulham can still earn automatic promotion

Smith battles with Fulham's Kevin McDonald at Craven Cottage
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James Benge19 March 2018

QPR striker Matt Smith is backing his former club Fulham to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League even after dealing their hopes of a top two finish a crucial blow on Saturday.

Smith teed up Massimo Luongo to volley home on the stroke of half-time and halve Fulham’s two goal lead earned through Tom Cairney and Lucas Piazon, with Pawel Wszolek earning a share of the points for Ian Holloway’s side when he pounced on a late mistake by Denis Odoi.

The two dropped points leave Fulham seven points off second-placed Cardiff, who have a game in hand after snow forced the cancellation of their game against Derby on Sunday, and left their hopes of promotion without going through the playoffs seemingly hanging by a thread.

However Smith, who played 52 games for the Cottagers between 2014 and 2017 before making the switch across west London, is convinced Fulham can catch the Championship’s top two.

“They are an experienced side so I am sure they will bounce back and it’s still a point for them and they are still undefeated and they’ll still have that momentum going with them,” Smith said.

“There are a lot of points to play for. Crazier things have happened and I still think they have every chance of making the top two.

“Certainly they are better equipped this season and the signing of [Serbian striker Aleksandar] Mitrovic might be the key one. They'll be the side most teams will fear.”

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That assessment was echoed by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who admitted that the record 16-match unbeaten run they are currently on counts for little if it doesn’t help Slavisa Jokanovic’s side return to the top flight.

“We’re not here to get landmarks and making history - wins and clean sheets,” Bettinelli said. “We’re here to get promoted, that’s our job. That is what we aim to do every time we go out onto that training pitch and that football pitch. Regardless of what we have done this year, it will all count for nothing if we don’t get promoted.

“Right now, our mentality is still for second place, automatic promotion is still up for grabs and if we don’t get it then we’ll take the play-offs and go from there. There is still a great chance for us to get promoted through the play-offs.

“Three or four months ago, if someone had said ‘you’ll make the play-offs’ everyone would have taken it. That is that. We’ll keep pushing and try and get second, if not we’ll fall into the play-offs.”

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