The former Wimbledon midfielder inherited a side at the tail end of last season which was in real danger of slipping into the relegation zone.

Under previous boss Chris Coleman the Cottagers had developed an unwanted habit of shipping goals, starting on the opening day when they found themselves 4-0 down at Manchester United before 20 minutes were on the clock.

But Sanchez believes his side's 2-1 victory over Bolton last night, which saw them first fall behind to a soft Heidar Helguson goal and then repel intense late pressure, was a firm indication that the class of 2007-08 will be no pushovers.

He said: "You couldn't ask for a bigger bounce back than from the goal we conceded, so hopefully that is an indication of what we can do this season and where we are.

"We are a resilient team. We conceded 60 goals last year and often we were very much in the game until the second goal went against us and it ended in a three or four-goal collapse.

"It was important that didn't happen in this game, that after conceding a goal we didn't end up two or three-nil down. The resilience is good and we held out at the end.

"We were under a lot of pressure at the end and you would have hated to concede late on and end up with one point out of the game. So our ability to hold out will stand us in good stead when we are in similar situations throughout the season.

"I thought the back four and the goalkeeper, who were obviously supported by the midfield, were excellent. They broke up a lot of attacks with a good line - it was good defensive play.

"The fans certainly enjoyed it. People like to see an organised team that knows what it is doing."

The Craven Cottage faithful certainly enjoyed David Healy's second goal in as many games following his summer switch from Leeds, having scored at Arsenal on the opening day. Healy swivelled to stroke home a fine equaliser and three minutes later Alexey Smertin fired in a heavily-deflected winner.

Sanchez had been only too happy to elevate Healy to the Premier League having seen him score the goals that allowed the Northern Ireland side he managed until recently to down the likes of England and Spain. Other managers had hesitated however despite Healy's 29 goals in 56 internationals.

He said: "Perhaps people had an idea that David was a prima donna but anyone who saw him in the two games can see his work-rate for the team is top notch as well, and always has been."

The defeat left Bolton boss Sammy Lee still searching for lift off in his first full season as Sam Allardyce's successor with the Trotters one of three sides who have played twice and lost both.

The former Liverpool midfielder admitted the second half display of Fulham goalkeeper Tony Warner, whose clanger had gifted former Fulham striker Helguson an early opener, had been a huge factor in his side's frustration.

He said: "I have known him for many years and is a terrific goalkeeper and a terrific lad. I knew what he was capable of and he did his job.

"Our goal was an error but you couldn't criticise the lad because the conditions were awful, especially for goalkeepers. And you have to give credit for our lad for being aware."

REF'S REPORT - Lee Probert did not have much to do as both sets of players were well-disciplined throughout despite the awful conditions. Booked El-Hadji Diouf for dissent and Paul Konchesky for a late tackle.

FUSSY FACTOR - Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen must have been a relieved man when Brian McBride appeared to nick the ball away from him legally at the end of the first half - and the official blew for a foul.