From the press box: Silva in high spirits ahead of game 200
Jack Kelly has all the chatter from Marco Silva's latest press conference
It’s 200 not out for Silva. What a milestone. The Fulham boss spoke to the media ahead of Fulham’s short trip to Tottenham on Saturday.
Recapping on last week, Silva said: “Was a very good result for us, and well deserved. Solid, dominant, very good one. Nice to see most of the players reach a good a good level. You have to react well (from Everton) to reach the standards. Results always speak louder.”
Now Fulham need to do something they’ve yet to do this season - win away from home. Whether they get that monkey off their back on Saturday, or at Turf Moor next month, it’s something that everyone will feel needs to comes sooner rather than later.
Just one point picked up on the road, which was on the opening day in the closing seconds. Since then, Fulham have shown glimmers of promise away from home, but that’s now five away defeats on the trot.
So, a trip to Spurs off the back of a win for Fulham last time out. Against a side that has conceded nine goals in is last two games - including a mauling the North London derby. I’m certainly looking at this one licking my lips.
Spurs have an awful home record, much like Fulham’s away record. The only win for Thomas Frank’s was on the opening day. Fulham could add to their woes, but will need to be at their best to come away with al three points.
The last time Fulham beat a ‘top six’ side away from home was in March - a penalty shoot-out win against Manchester United. In the league, it was the famous 1-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day last year.
Fulham are unbeaten against Spurs in their last three games. Former Spurs man Ryan Sessegnon was on the scoresheet at the Cottage against Ange Postecoglou’s side last season. Silva was full of praise for the left-back in his presser.
Silva: “I am loving the moment he is living right now. He’s just 25, he’s been in this business a long time. At 16 playing so well, then Spurs spending what they spent on him, but after he had injuries and setbacks. You could imagine what was going through his mind.
“I am very pleased for him. Now he’s back to the same Sess, with some different things. He’s a better defender now, to play in a back four, to face different wingers. He was used to playing as a winger or in three (five) at the back.
“He deserves the good moments too, he’s worked hard and he’s playing so, so well. He’s always adapting, off the ball he’s solid again. He’s a lovely boy who loves the football club. I really like him as a player and person.”
Sessegnon has progressed incredibly impressively in the last year or so. Particularly in these recent few months. Fulham rely so much on Antonee Robinson’s output, and with him sidelined, Sess has stepped up and some. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw him pop up with a goal on Saturday.
I think Fulham fans are optimistic ahead of this weekend. Samuel Chukwueze certainly was the name on most fans’ lips following last week’s win. There are some calls for Smith Rowe to start too, after an impressive stint off the bench against the Black Cats.
Silva is convinced we’ll see the best of ESR, with consistency being the key to unlock his full potential.
“He’s working very, very hard. We all know that is their obligation to work, to be in the right shape, to be ready for what the team needs from them. But he’s working, he’s pushing very hard to be ready for what the team needs from him.
“It was the reason why we bought him, and I don’t have any doubts yet that he has this quality. To show that he is in a better shape than the others, in a better position than the guys he’s competing with, to play with the confidence.
“If Emile is speaking with you, he’s going to answer in the same way than myself, 100% sure. He’s missing just the consistency, really, because when he’s at his best level, he performs at the level that a player like Emile should perform.”
Silva speaks about the big 200 in Friday’s embargoed section. The quotes of which can be found on my Patreon and X pages from 22:30.
So, congratulations to Marco. Let’s hope we can have many more games, wins and memories in the future. Spurs’ press box is one of my favourites with an incredibly hospitable feel to it. I’m very much looking forward to the game - and of course the food offerings.
Enjoy the game, make some noise and back the boys in black and gold. COYW!