MICAH RICHARDS believes Fulham will struggle this season after the club banned players from using SNAPCHAT.
Richards left Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer stunned as he predicted that the social media platform could be the downfall of Marco Silva’s side in the new campaign.
Fulham stars regularly provided behind-the-scenes Snaps of their journey to last term’s 11th place Premier League finish.
Fans were left loving the brilliant banter between their Craven Cottage icons.
The regular Snapchat posts also gave a glimpse into the players’ lives at the London club’s training ground and stadium.
But Alex Iwobi revealed in July that he and his Fulham team-mates had been banned from further Snapchat posts by a member of staff.
He told followers: “For those that are wondering why I haven’t been snapping BTS (behind-the-scenes) in the changing room, one person in the media team has been saying I haven’t been catching the right stuff.
“So, there’s no more BTS. They also said I might get fined if I continue to do so, they’re trying to ban snap in our changing room.
“That’s why I ain’t been snapping BTS, it’s a shame, I know you guys enjoy seeing what my team-mates are like behind the scenes. But, I have to respect the rules.”
Now, former Man City title winner Richards reckons that Fulham’s Snapchat clampdown could come back to bite the club.
Silva’s side have only made one signing in back-up goalie Benjamin Lecomte, while two attackers have departed in Willian and Carlos Vinicius.
But Richards believes the inability to post on social media will have a worse effect on morale than the lack of new arrivals.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards’ fellow presenter Shearer first said: “I don’t see Fulham doing as well as they did last year.
“I’ve got them sixth-bottom, I think they’ll have too much to have them in a relegation battle but just below last season.”
Richards then noted: “I agree. And their media person has stopped them using Snapchat, where you used to get all the insight, the videos and stuff. Great for chemistry.”
This left Shearer amused as he responded: “Excuse me, what the f**k has that got to do with the prediction, by the way?!”
Richards continued: “Everything, I’m telling you. You can’t do the videos no more, you go in there, it’s going to be silent, there’s going to be no banter flying, so it could affect them.
“So I’m going to say they’re going to be just below what they did last season.”
Shearer gasped: “No Snapchat, so they’re going to be just below last season! That’s the reason.”
Host Lineker then summed up the conversation by adding: “Too much c**pchat, not enough Snapchat.”
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