Alec uses Fulham as his benchmark

13 April 2012

Alec Chamberlain watched from the substitutes' bench as Fulham humiliated Watford 5-0 on Boxing Day.

Watford's seventh defeat in eight games proved the final straw for manager Graham Taylor, who restored Chamberlain to his starting line up in place of summer-signing Espen Baardsen.

They have won all three Division One games since and tomorrow Chamberlain will discover exactly how much progress Watford have made when Fulham travel to Vicarage Road for the return fixture.

"I felt for Espen during that game at Craven Cottage because I did not think any of the goals were his fault," said Chamberlain, who has not played in a losing team in any of his 11 First Division appearances this season.

He added:"The whole side's confidence was not what it should have been and the Fulham match did not help. The reason the manager chose to play me and leave Espen out was probably the bad run, to make a change.

"I am a lot more experienced than him and that probably counted in my favour. We have had great results in the League when I have been playing, but there have been blips in the cups, losing to Manchester United, Everton and Notts County.

"I do not know whether it is just coincidence or what, but I am just pleased to be playing first-team football. I am looking to stay in the team for as long as possible and that is as far as it goes."

Chamberlain, 36, was Watford's first-choice goal keeper during their disastrous Premiership campaign last season.

They were relegated with a record low points total and Chamberlain conceded 61 goals in the 27 games he featured in.

Taylor paid Tottenham £1.25 million for Baardsen and told Chamberlain, who is with the eighth league club of his 19-year career, that he would be second choice."I was disappointed the manager felt he needed to bring someone else in," said Chamberlain.

"I feel I still have a lot to offer and that is what I told him in the summer. He talks to everyone individually at the end of the season and was very honest with me.

"I did not necessarily agree with his decision but you have to just get on with it and prepare yourself as best you can so that you are ready when you get a chance."

Fulham will be without John Collins because of a hamstring problem and Barry Hayles has an ankle injury.

But Chamberlain added: "Fulham are a very impressive team and have maintained their terrific start to the season. They have got good strikers and look like they have got promotion sewn up. Most people are going for second place.

"But confidence is a lot better now than when we played them last time because we have started winning again.

"It is important for us to keep this run going because it is very easy to slip out of the promotion race.

"We expect to win our home games and beating Fulham would send out a good message to everyone else.

"The 5-0 defeat will still be fresh in everybody's minds and, from a pride point of view as much as anything else, we are looking to reverse the result."

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