From the Press Box: Wilson a doubt as Fulham look to banish losing streak
Get the lowdown from Marco Silva's pre-Newcastle press conference.
The first of six Marco Silva pre- and post-match press conferences in the space of nine days took place at Motspur Park yesterday afternoon, with yet more bad news on the injury front.
Harry Wilson, labelled as a doubt for tomorrow’s trip to the North East. Silva stated that the Welshman didn’t train on Wednesday or Thursday, after picking up a knock on international duty.
Wilson still managed to play 82 minutes against Arsenal, but it’ll be touch and go whether he will make the match-day squad at St. James Park.
Silva: “Some good news, some not so good. Kenny was already involved in the last game, he has a good week, will be in contention. Joa - will be out. Jedi, out. Lukic in contention. Chukwueze and Muniz out. Wilson is a doubt, let’s see. Didn’t train last two days.”
We heard the word “doubt” ahead of last week’s defeat to Arsenal concerning both Kenny Tete and Raul Jimenez. Raul started the game, while Tete was an un-used sub. So perhaps we may see Wilson at least included in the 20-man squad tomorrow. Silva also stated the injury to Wilson isn’t too serious.
“He got a knock with the national team. A small issue, he made the effort to play versus Arsenal. Let’s see if he’s going to be ready or not. Yesterday - he was not in conditions (to train) - today, he didn’t train. Let’s see how he reacts tomorrow.”
“Nothing really serious, but let’s see how he feels tomorrow, then we will take a decision on him.”
Fulham could do with Wilson travelling, with Samuel Chukwueze still out. Silva admitted that Rodrigo Muniz may even be ready to return before the Nigerian, who had impressed in his cameos in recent games.
Joachim Andersen’s hamstring will keep him out of the game against Eddie Howe’s side, but again, Silva told us it wasn’t a serious injury.
Of course, Antonee Robinson is still out too. His recovery from surgery in the summer is taking longer than expected, with a couple of set-backs.
There was some good news, though. Sasa Lukic will most likely be in contention on Tyneside. Lukic missed the Arsenal game, and the majority of Bournemouth away after being subbed off early on. He is on four yellow cards, though. In a game where the midfield battle is going to be incredibly physical, it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m tweeting: 56’ Lukic is booked. #FFC - He would therefore miss the crucial home game against Wolves next weekend.
Silva was coy around the questioning of the possibility of playing Alex Iwobi in the middle of the park, as the number eight. It’s a possibility that some Fulham fans had debated this week - which was ;argely based off the assumption that Lukic would still be out injured.
“The fans have the right to think what they want. The fans have the right to have their opinions.
“I’m the coach. I have to decide. But, they want Iwobi in the middle, to take Josh King or Emile out. Or they want to take Sander out for Alex Iwobi. I don’t know where it comes from. I’m here, not to answer for that question.”
Later on, he was asked about the midfield battle:
“We need to reach the same level of intensity (as them) to play in the way we want to play. To control them, to create - whether it’s going to be Sander, Lukic, Harrison, TC, or Josh or Emile. Or, like you said before, with Alex.”
There was plenty more quotes to come from 22:30 this evening, a whopping 30 tweets. Or you can read them all in full on my Patreon later tonight.
Three defeats in a row, going up against a side who had convincingly beaten Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
Sandro Tonali is a doubt due to illness, but Newcastle have other exceptional options in midfield. Joelinton, Jacob Ramsey, Bruno Guimarães and Joe Willock to name a few yikes. Lewis Miley too, who scored against us two seasons ago.
I wonder if Kenny Tete will get the nod ahead of the reliable Timothy Castagne. Last season, Castagne got the runaround from Anthony Gordon. However, he came out strong in the second half, as Fulham turned the game on it’s head in February. One of my favourite memories from last season.
A Fulham win tomorrow would be a huge, huge boost for Fulham, who are yet to win away from home. It’s a three-game week, and an opportunity to advance into a Carabao Cup quarter-finals. But, the league is the focus this weekend. A repeat of last season will go down a treat and delight Silva, and the sold out away end in the Gods of St. James’ Park.
Time to catch my flight to Newcastle, I’ve never flown to an away game before (apart from pre-season), so another new experience for me in the best job in the world. See you all up there - come on you Whites!