Four things that must happen now it looks like Marco Silva is staying
With reports claiming that the Whites are offering Silva a new three-year deal, it's time to start looking forward again.
A deal is on the table. Whether or not it’s accepted is another issue, but for now, we know that the club is happy to continue its relationship with our Portuguese gaffer.
Marco will want some assurances, and the club will expect things from the boss at the same time if this marriage is to return to full health. Here are some issues that will need to be ironed out once we’re all on the same page again.
1. Sign a striker in January
It’s been a mess, hasn’t it?
Raul Jimenez is being flogged like a horse; 90 minutes after 90 minutes despite his advancing years, and now he’s trotting out for Mexico in meaningless friendlies.
His contributions to this Fulham side go beyond merely notching up goals, but that (rather crucial) side of his game is suffering - and it’s not hard to see why.
With Rodrigo Muniz ruled out until at least February, and Marco unwilling to blood the on-loan Jonah Kusi-Asari, we need a tried and tested alternative up top - and fast.
2. Put the summer in the rearview mirror
Yes, we broke our transfer record, but I’m yet to see a compelling counter argument to the summer’s transfer business being a failure.
It’s clearly rattled Marco too. The boss famously slammed us as “too passive” in our dealings - and that surly attitude has crept into his pre-match pressers, too.
But we’re now wrapping up in fleeces and popping the gloves on with the nights drawing in - so it’s time to put the summer behind us and look ahead to a potentially season-defining run to the new year - through the crucial “festive period”.
Four of our next seven games are at home - where we’ve picked up 10 of our 11 points. We’ve got to be like squirrels gathering nuts, ‘cause things are only going to get harder.
3. Prepare for AFCON
Nigeria might not be going to the World Cup, but they’re most certainly heading to Morocco for this tournament.
That means we’ll be severely depleted at a vital time, with Naija White trio Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwuezi all departing.
When I’ve been looking ahead to this, I always think about January, but the tournament starts on 21 December, meaning we’ll be without these three key players for as many as seven games - starting with Nottingham Forest at the Cottage on 22 December.
We have alternatives on the wings, but how adept we’ll be at replacing Iwobi depends on where Marco deploys him in the coming weeks. Bassey is a slightly more straightforward issue, with Jorge Cuenca impressing whenever called upon.
How Marco navigates these waters during an already tricky period will be a huge test.
4. Restore the feeling
We’re agitated. We’re frustrated. And these are weird feelings as we’ve not experienced them for a while.
It started in the summer, with fans sitting either side of the fence when it came to our activity. And it continued when results started to get away from us.
Recently, I’ve seen a lot of outlets writing variations on “Marco Silva has had Fulham punching above its weight since their return to the Premier League”. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but he has been the figurehead of a hugely rewarding period of stability, of which we’re all grateful. But we know what he and this group are capable of - and it’s more than this.
With his future nearly settled and our thoughts and ambitions as a club becoming a lot clearer as a result, it’s time to restore the feeling around the club - and we have a huge role to play in that.
Pen hasn’t been put to paper yet, but that shouldn’t stop us cracking on, starting on Saturday in what is an absolute whopper against Sunderland. COYW.