From the press box: Marco says players understand derby importance

Jack Kelly reacts to Marco Silva's latest presser.

I’m currently sat in the pub, in 26-degree weather in mid-September. Not a bad Friday. And another Fulham Friday for me. It’s Marco Silva’s presser followed by Fulham U21s at Motspur Park. The dynamic duo.

We have the small matter of another West London derby tomorrow night, with Fulham hosting the Bees under the lights, live on Sky Sports. A huge game. Boosted by a last-minute winner on Saturday, and having signed the best player in the world in Kevin, I feel very excited about this one.

Silva gave us good news, in no news, when it came to team news. When asked specifically about Alex Iwobi, Silva said: “Iwobi trained this morning, no serious problem. Let's see his reaction”, after Iwobi had posted an image on his socials with a rather large ice pack strapped to his ankle.

Marco added the boys need no reminding about what’s at stake on Saturday.

“The players understand. Most of our players know. 90% know what it means, because we didn't change (the squad) much. They know the motivation. It's going to be easy for the new players to understand. Everybody knows what to expect from the game.”

The presser covered other key topics. one being Kevin, another being Silva’s contract situation. He reiterated that he doesn’t want talk of his contract to be a distraction.

“I don't want it to be a distraction. I'm fully focused since I joined. We had some conversations last season, we are always speaking.

"Everyone knows I'm excited. I love my job, I love the football club. Every day, for me is the best day in the world. I'm full of ambition and motivation to improve the club.

"The right timing will come for these conversations for sure. Until then, until the moment that we have something to announce or not, it's never going to be a distraction. We have much more important things to talk about than my situation."

The focus, from my standpoint, is very much about all things on the pitch. Kevin dominated the post-match chatter in the Golden Lion last Saturday, and Fulham fans have been banging on about him all week (with good reason!). We have reached a full-on CLAMOUR for the Brazilian to start.

Silva acknowledged the excitement that Kevin has brought to the fanbase. Nothing would please me more than to see Kevin tear the Brentford defence apart. Will he make his first start for Fulham tomorrow night? We will see.

I put a few questions across to Marco Silva in the written section. Those quotes are available to read on my Patreon and X account from 22:30 this evening.

Silva also spoke of his pride when it came to Fulham’s defensive record so far this season. No goal conceded from open play yet, which he acknowledged too. The urge for me shout “Touch wood!” was definitely there, but I held myself back, of course.

I’m having a sort of fan/journalist match-day experience tomorrow for the big one. Liverpool v Everton in the Golden Lion at 12:30, while chatting to Fulham fans (if any turn up that early!). I’d love to get some pre-match thoughts from the Fulham faithful. Then, I’ll head over to the Cottage for around 17:30 to watch Manchester United vs Enzo Maresca’s side, and prepare for kick-off.

I’m looking forward to it. Some more late drama? Hmm, I’d rather have the game wrapped up by the time the clock ticks over to 90, but you never know what a derby is going to throw up.

Like I said on the Jack and Joe Show, a Kevin hat-trick and I’m in Le-Fez. Straight from work. Come on Fulham!