From the press box: Silva eyes silverware ahead of quarter-final
Jack Kelly updates us from Marco Silva's pre-match presser
This has been quite the week as a journalist covering Fulham FC. December is always chaotic, but with the amount of games and miles I’m travelling, and will travel this week, I’m seeing more train guards, ticket inspectors and more of Marco Silva lately than my family!
After the defeat to Palace, I took myself away from the Fulham space for three days to spend some time in Edinburgh with my girlfriend - that was a much needed break after a defeat that triggered a wave of abuse hurled towards me and my Fulham-supporting brothers from my older brother and cousin, who both support the pride of south London - the famous Palace boys.
The Burnley game was fantastic, a great win on the road. But, train cancellations forced me to abandon the post-match press conference to catch the next train back to Manchester, otherwise, it would have been a two-hour wait for the next service. I still managed to complete my work, hungover on Sunday morning in my brother’s flat in Manchester. So, it all worked out - and we had a crucial three points in our back pockets.
So, onto the next one. A Carabao Cup quarter-final at St. James’ Park. The cup holders, but a side who have just come off one of the most soul destroying defeats you could possibly imagine - a narrow defeat to bitter rivals Sunderland, in a game where Newcastle were massively under-par and lost former Fulham man Dan Burn to injury.
The press conference was moved from 15:00 to 13:30 on Sunday evening, putting my attendance into severe doubt. In fact, I just could not get there on time from Manchester. But, sometimes life finds a way. With my train home cancelled (shock), it gave me the opportunity to jump on an earlier one, giving me enough time to spawn from Manchester to Motspur Park before Silva takes his seat. I hadn’t even been back home from Turf Moor yet!
So, it all worked out - I arrived with time to spare, so shall we finally get into what was said?
Silva confirmed that both Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon would still be missing. The situation with Sess is one that Fulham are approaching with caution, but Jedi’s timely return has helped Fulham dodge a crisis at left-back.
“We have to be careful with [Sess],” Silva said.
“He’s already running on the pitch and moving with the ball. He’s not going to be long I believe. Probably some weeks.
“I cannot give you a timescale because we need to see how he’s going to react again this week. After that he’ll probably do another exam and then we will be sure.”
JKA is now back in contention after missing Saturday’s win through illness.
In Fulham’s last three seasons, they’ve been one round away from a trip to Wembley. A win on Wednesday would make it four campaigns in a row. Silva was asked about winning a trophy, something everyone associated with the club is desperate for.
Silva: “Nothing is impossible in football, but we have to be realistic. For clubs like us, the cup is the best way. We want to go again, after our recent cup runs. We go with full ambition. Silverware is on our minds, for this historic club.
“We have been trying to create this mentality inside the club. Because we did achieve it for the first time ever - the semi-finals two years ago in this competition.
“Such a historic club that doesn’t have a title in this type of competition. Of course, it’s something that if you can achieve, you can imagine how the fans are going to feel and it can give a really good statement to the supporters.”
So, after a marathon trip up to Newcastle. Fulham’s next six fixtures will all be in London. Lovely. But then, in mid-January, we face a run of away games against Leeds, Manchester United, Manchester City, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
Tomorrow is massive, a chance to make a real statement like we did against Everton two years ago. Let’s hope Fulham can knock out the holders and progress. I can’t wait for it! COYW!