From the press box: Fulham to assess Wilson ahead of Hammers clash
Jack Kelly was back on the Fulham beat as Marco Silva previewed West Ham v Fulham with the media.
From mince pies and mulled wine to Motspur Park. Christmas Day came and went and by 9am on Boxing Day, I was back at Fulham’s training ground ahead of Marco Silva’s early morning press conference!
Off the high of the win versus Nottingham Forest, or the visit of Father Christmas - or both - I had a spring in my step as I walked into reception. In fact, I had arrived at MP at the same time as the Fulham boss, who was getting out of his car as I walked across to the presser room. We said hello and asked each other how our Christmases were. Quite surreal - both of us I’m sure wishing we were probably still in bed!
But Marco and myself have something in common. We love our jobs. So it was business as usual today.
The only pressing issue ahead of our clash with West Ham tomorrow was about the fitness of Harry Wilson. FPL fans around the world were ready to tune into my X updates, as apparently he is one of the most used players in recent weeks because of the Welshman’s superb form.
Here’s what Silva had to say: “Wilson - it looked more serious than it is right now. It was a big knock on the knee. It's still painful, & we will assess him. Muniz and Sess are out. I'm hopeful about Wilson, games come thick and fast - let's hope we can have him available."
Another option on the right-hand side is Adama Traore, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Hammers in January. Without Wilson, Adama is Fulham’s only other realistic option in that position. I’m sure Silva will be keen to have Harry involved tomorrow.
Apart from that, there’s not a whole lot to report. Some questions were asked from Premier League Productions regarding players stepping in for the three out at AFCON.
Silva also mentioned how the pressure may be more on the hosts tomorrow than his side. It’s a huge, huge game for West Ham. Defeat to Fulham tomorrow could see them get cut adrift if results go against them.
Fulham’s win on Monday has extended the gap from 18th to a healthy 10 points. If that turns into 13 points tomorrow, well you could say that Fulham will going to be safe this season. That would be some turnaround, after the defeat to Palace left Fulham only four points above the drop zone at the beginning of the month.
But, Fulham have got to do the business tomorrow. At a ground where we stuttered last season, conceding three poor goals in a 3-2 defeat. Graham Potter’s first home game in charge in east London. Now, it’s Nuno in charge - and Silva will be eyeing a third Premier League win in a row against his fellow Portuguese colleague.
I put a couple of transfer-related questions to Silva in the embargoed section. Those quotes will be accessible on my X and Patreon accounts from 22:30 tonight.
Boxing Day without Fulham playing does feel a tad strange, but we’ll be at the London Stadium tomorrow to see Fulham hopefully bring some more festive cheer!
COYW!