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Free-scoring Cottagers are aiming for the Premier League but we have to tighten up at the back, insists Ayite

By Sam Elliott

FULHAM forward Floyd Ayite believes his club will join the division’s elite by making it into the top six – but only if they ditch their tag as the ‘s great entertainers.

The West Londoners have been a joy to watch for any neutral and their season is best illustrated by last weekend’s thrilling 4-4 draw at Wolves.

‘s men recently battered fellow promotion hopefuls and by five goals and on Tuesday night came from behind to beat 2-1.

The Serbian has certainly imposed his energetic style of football on Fulham, but there’s cause for concern that the side are starting to become too gung-ho in their attacking 4-3-3 formation.

Before yesterday’s fixtures, the play-off hunting Whites had conceded two more goals than second-from-bottom .

Ayite scored Fulham’s winner against the – and the French-born striker believes he is really starting to settle in the capital since his summer switch from Ligue 1 Bastia.

Speaking through a translator, he told the Paper: “We are the second highest scorers in the division. We score a lot of goals and this shows we play good football.

“Sometimes, though, we are a little bit open and that is something we need to consider. We concede a lot of goals and now we have to find the right balance between attacking and defending. If we can, this will show we are an effective side.

“Once we have worked on these problems we can look ahead and be positive about the future and the rest of the season. I think we are one of the best sides who plays really good football and I think we have a very good chance of reaching the top six.

“If we can continue to attack like we do, we have a very good chance.”

Ayite admits he’s surprised at how quickly he has settled in , with the language barrier  the hardest hurdle to clear.

The Togo international, 28, signed a three-year deal in the summer and, by the time that expires, he is determined to have sampled the life.

“I am making progress with my English every day,” he said. “It isn’t easy. There are certain codes which you understand on the pitch and I still prefer to do interviews in French at the moment, so I can explain properly.

“I came here to experience this great thing (English football) and I am so happy I have been so warmly welcomed by the fans since I arrived.

“I am equally as happy that I have been able to give something back to them.

“My goal is to take the team back to the Premier League.

“It’s where I want to play and it’s where Fulham want to play.”

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