From the Press Box: Iwobi back in contention for final away day
JK provides an update after Marco Silva's press conference
Two more games to go. The season is almost at it’s end. Some say the season died last weekend when we lost to Bournemouth, but Joe Sansom has talked me through all the permutations needed for Fulham to squeeze into a European position on the final day, but the chance is low, so no more mentioning of the E word in this piece.
This was the penultimate pre-match press conference of the season - but will it be of the Silva era? There were probably more contract based questions posed to the manager than usual, but it’s understandable given the situation.
It wasn’t the first question of course. Team news should always come first. We know Joachim Andersen will miss the game, but what about duo Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon?
"Alex is back in contention, he's been working with us this week. Andersen is out (suspended) - Sess is out too. Big boost to have Alex back”, said Silva.
Having Iwobi back will add another option to the Fulham midfield, or the left-hand side. The Nigerian hasn’t featured since the goalless draw to the bus stop.
Silva has been linked to Benfica this week, with Jose Mourinho rumoured to be re-joining Real Madrid at the end of the season. But when the questions were put to the Portuguese regarding returning to his home country, he was clear in his response.
“Let’s be clear about it because I think it is important to clarify that I didn’t have any offer from Benfica, I didn’t have any conversation with Benfica and it is important right now to tell the truth about that situation,” he said.
Fans are eager to know whether Silva will commit and sign a new deal which has reportedly been on the table for some time. Silva confirmed he still has not come to a decision.
“Of course we are preparing for the next season with the football club,” he said. “We have been having meetings and of course the final decision will come and when it will come we are going to know from myself and from the football club but everything is being prepared from us.
“I don’t know when the decision will come, I don’t know. It is a decision that we have to take, of course myself I have to take but when it is coming I cannot tell you, I don’t know. Let’s see, now we are focused on the Wolves game and after that we will see what is going to happen.”
So, I’ll take a leaf out of Marco’s book and focus on the Wolves game too.
They’ve had a disastrous season. Relegated and fan unrest pretty much from when the first ball was kicked. They’ve turned to former Luton and Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, who was unable to get them out of the perilous situation they were in when he took over.
The club hosted a fans’ forum this week - a chance for fans to voice their opinions to three senior members of the club. I listened to it in full, and squirmed in my seat with the brutal honesty and hard-hitting question the fans voiced during the 90 minute broadcast.
It made me think - I know we’re not entirely happy with Fulham’s recent run of form, but it could be a whole lot worse. There was a lot of admission that mistakes had been made, and trying to jee up optimism for their upcoming Championship campaign. Some fans ignored the buzz words and laid into the board and manager a little more. It was an uncomfortable listen, but interesting at the same time.
The home faithful will want a reaction after a dismal display at Brighton last week, while the Fulham fans will want three points in their final opportunity to follow Fulham away before the end of the season.
It’s important Fulham go and get the three points to boost morale ahead of the final game against Newcastle. I hope we can see some Fulham goals - we haven’t had many of them lately.
Safe travels to all going up to Molineux on Sunday.
COYW