From the Press Box: Sess out, but perhaps the Return of the Jedi?

Jack Kelly updates us after Marco Silva's latest presser.

Burnley away; Turf Moor. A place where Fulham have not won since 1951. The last time I travelled up to Burnley, we lost 2-1 thanks to two own goals. It wasn’t pleasant.

Fulham go into this crucial clash off the back of two home defeats on the spin. It was time for another press conference.

Sky Sports and Premier League productions kicked things off for the broadcast section, and in the embargoed written section - it was just me. Knowing the narrative of what the fans wanted me to ask Marco Silva, it does bring an element of pressure and responsibility on my shoulders. But it also brings an opportunity too.

We started with some mixed news right off the bat. Ryan Sessegnon is out of the game - the logic being a sense of precaution given his recent injury record with the added factor of multiple games in a short space of time. Sess has been key for Fulham this season, so it’s a sensible approach to ease him back in.

Antonee Robinson is getting closer to a return to action, which is superb news. His attacking output has been so, so key in the way Fulham have built up, played and created in the last four years, and to have him on the cusp on a return will be music to Fulham fans’ ears.

Silva: “He’s training with the team, last week was a good week for him. This week he has been with the team, another session tomorrow, let’s see how he reacts after a ‘complete week’ - I’m here to find solutions.

”Now it’s a matter of time when we are going to decide for him to be in contention or not.”

This is very welcome news. At a time where Fulham will lose their Nigerian trio to AFCON, having Robinson back in the fold will bring some much needed cover to a position that’s under strain.

Jorge Cuenca will most likely take up the position of LCB against Newcastle and beyond, with Sess still out, two options of Robinson and Timothy Castagne will give Silva less of a headache when it comes to left-back.

Of course, this is also the last game for Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze for some time too. They will be missed and leave a hole in the squad. Kevin can occupy the left wing position, whilst Sasa Lukic is capable of playing alongside Sander Berge, although that partnership hasn’t been as fruitful in recent times compared to last season.

This is all about sticking together and grinding though now. Not only do Fulham lose three players, but they also still find themselves in a precarious position in the league standings. A win tomorrow will take Fulham further away from danger, and their next three league games are against sides who are below them in the table.

That being said, they will also be scrapping for points. Fulham have played well in recent weeks, and should have more points from those performances. But, now it’s about results. A 0-1 gritty, horrible win in Lancashire tomorrow will suffice, in my opinion. In fact, it will have me doing cartwheels all the way back to Manchester, where I’ll be staying this weekend.

Silva mentioned the margins a lot in his press conference. The quotes sent me back to 2021, gushing over every word Scott Parker said pre- and post-match when we couldn’t attend games. Oh, how I would love Fulham to win by those fine margins at Turf Moor, and lift that 74-year hoodoo.

Please watch out for more quotes from Silva tonight from 22:30, where he answers my questions. It really was a pleasure to speak with him. Follow me on X and subscribe to my Patreon for all the content.

Now it’s time to have an early night ahead of a busy weekend and week ahead. Lots of travelling, and important things to play for. UTF!