Fulham boss Chris Coleman wants more from Wayne Routledge and Papa Bouba Diop.
Fulham boss Chris Coleman wants to see more from Wayne Routledge and Papa Bouba Diop.Both players have struggled to hold down a first-team place at Craven Cottage so far this season.
After coming on loan from Premiership rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Routledge has made just four starts for the West Londoners, and Coleman believes he needs to offer more to get a regular start.
"He has more in his locker," Coleman said in The Independent. "He needs to show more of the old Wayne Routledge, who was so good for Crystal Palace."
The former Wales international is also aware that Diop must keep his standards up when he returns from a thigh injury.
"In his absence, the team have won and people have done well in his position, Carlos (Bocanegra) has done well," Coleman added.
"In any given day of the week, you look at Bouba and Carlos, and Bouba is a natural central midfielder and a good stopper.
"But Carlos has done very well and all the while he's doing that, Bouba not only has to get back in the team, but when he does it's no longer the case he can get away with playing at 70 percent if he's carrying an injury.
"His physical fitness has got to be maximum because if it's not and it affects his performance, we know we can change it, and we haven't had that before."
Coleman was annoyed Diop injured his thigh while playing for Senegal, and the Fulham boss has spoken to the player about his international commitments.
"I've spoken to Bouba about internationals," he said.
"I don't want to stop him playing for Senegal, but when he goes to some of the friendly games to the back and beyond, the last six times he's been away, four times he's come back and got injured.
"His performances have dropped, so that has to be addressed because he has to concentrate on Fulham as well.
"I've addressed that with him and he's fully committed to us, he knows that and he wants to concentrate on Fulham."
