Fulham boss Scott Parker will not be surprised by Leeds United's season and never called Whites robots

Parker alluded to United's "scripted movements" and how he prepared to combat them following his side's 2-1 victory at home to Leeds last December which saw the Cottagers move up to third in the Championship table in pursuit of top two United and West Brom.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa then said that to describe his players as akin to machines would "underestimate them" and despite wobbles from both the Baggies and Whites, Leeds and West Brom went on to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League with Fulham having to settle for finishing fourth.

The Cottagers then ensured they would join both Championship winners United and runners-up West Brom in the Premier League when sealing promotion through the play-offs after overcoming Cardiff City in the semi-finals and Brentford in the final.

Just two games into the new top flight campaign, the Whites and Cottagers will again lock horns at Elland Road this weekend with Saturday's 3pm kick-off arriving less than three months after Bielsa's side saw off visiting Fulham 3-1 at the end of June in a key game in the automatic promotion race.

Parker's side suffered a 3-0 loss at home to Arsenal in their first fixture back in the Premier League before Leeds excelled in a 4-3 loss at defending champions Liverpool but Parker says his side cannot wait to again take on United in their own back yard.

"It wasn't a surprise for me at all," said Parker, asked if he was surprised how close United's contest at Liverpool was when speaking at his pre-match press conference and as quoted by football.london.

"I watched large parts of Leeds last year. They're a team we looked at a lot.

"They're a physical, well-drilled team.

"I'm not going to be surprised when they carry on doing that throughout the year.

"The team has been settled for some time under the management and understand what is expected of them.

"Is it a concern, no not really? It's a challenge we're relishing and looking forward to."

Parker added: "We played them twice already, one we've won and one we've lost on both occasions we tried to win the game and that won't change this time.

"We're familiar because of last year and we've played recently. That can only help. They've improved the squad during the summer and already a team that had quality has strengthened as well.

"They're a very good team and a team that has been together for two and half years. They understand their roles and physically very powerful side.

"It didn't surprise me what we saw at Anfield. I suspect that will be the case for large parts of this year."

Asked about referring to United's players as being robotic, Parker said: "I think I said that after the home game, I'm not sure I used the word robotic.

"It was probably, it was a compliment to Leeds.

"I'm sure Marcelo didn't have an issue with it, it was probably what everyone wanted to build up.

"It was more that it's a team that are well-drilled, well-structured and it was more along them lines.

"It's a tough side we're playing against and we all know that - we see that when they played against Liverpool.

"Every team, every manager, every player that goes up against a Leeds team fully understand what they're up against because that's the way they're coached."

Fulham followed Saturday's defeat at home to Arsenal with Wednesday night's 1-0 win at Ipswich Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup in which striker Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged the only goal of the game.

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Thank you Laura Collins