From the Press Box: Wilson in contention as Fulham plan fight back

Jack Kelly gives us an honest reflection from Silva's press conference.

This week has been tough - really tough. The fallout from the Cup defeat last Sunday was filled with negativity and bad feeling. I finished my work after the game, no issues there. But I left the ground and a wave of sadness and frustration hit me.

Often in my job after a defeat, the time from the full-time whistle to when Silva walks into his post-match press conference allows me enough time to digest and come to terms with what’s happened. Usually, I feel okay on the way home and switch off and focus on other things in my life.

Sunday hit me like a delayed reaction, to the point where I took myself away from social media for a bit of time, I just wanted to be left alone. I switched off completely.

I’ve been very reflective this week. Writing on Patreon about our season as a whole, what’s next and analysing the fans’ opinion to try and get a gauge on where their heads are at.

Today’s press conference certainly lifted me off the canvas a little. Time is a great healer, but I needed some motivation to get my act together. Silva came out with some punchy lines after some inquisitive questions from Sky’s reporter.

Starting with the teams news - Harry Wilson is probably in contention for Forest. He’s missed the last two games with an ankle knock.

Silva: “Yes, Harry Wilson is going to be, probably, in contention for the game,l.

“As you know, we have another session before the game, and we have to assess one or two players. We still have some doubts if they are going to be ready or not, or fully fit for the game, but Harry Wilson looks as if he is going to be ready.”

Raul Jimenez tragically lost his father this week. Marco Silva said that he has the club’s full support as this difficult time.

“Sad news, really sad news for him. [It is a] moment for us to support him. He was in the session this morning.

“He knows, really, that everything he needs from ourselves, myself personally, from teammates, from the staff and from the football club, he’s going to get all the support that he needs in this moment, and we are completely with him.

“On behalf of the football club, I send all the condolences for him and his family.”

The reaction on Sunday was one of discontent. Silva was asked about it this afternoon. He was honest and understanding in how the fans felt.

“The fans reaction - I am not concerned about their faith because everything we have done in this football club is clear and the ambition is there.

"We cannot expect claps after losing to Southampton. Boos is the minimum. They were not happy and that is why I stayed longer on the pitch and that was a moment for us to be seen. I think we deserved the boos. If I was in the stand, I would do the same.

"I understand all the frustrations. I know that the narrative is going to be about the changes. I said about the players we played in our front line, all the millions we spent & we don't win that game? Wow. I understand the reaction, what was said on social media. I don't look at social media.

“I don't forget what the expectations were five years ago, four years ago, three, two. I don't forget, I can go even deeper, I can go 10 years or 15 years ago when I was not here. I love the expectations, I love them. Because I put them there myself.

"If at the beginning of the season I say 'it's just about not getting relegated, to remain in PL again' everyone is going to be happy because we are in the middle of the table, still fighting for Europe. But no, I put the ambition and expectation there because it's the way I like to manage the football club.

“If you lose a game, you have to expect the frustration from the fans. I repeat again, if I'm there in the stands, I'm probably going to react in the same way. Simple as that.

“The last two games are an example of if you're not at the top of your game, you're going to be in trouble. You can talk about mentality, but as you said, every-time we have had some downs, we have bounced back.

"We didn't react vs West Ham after a great result against Spurs. We didn't react vs Southampton. Now I expect us to stand up. We have to try and be better vs Forest, it's an important game."

I came away from the presser in a better mood and starting to look forward to the weekend’s game. The aim is to still be fighting for something as we enter the run in. We’re still in the race for Europe, but have to just focus on ourselves to pick up enough points to challenge.

The quarter-final loss to Crystal Palace last season dented Fulham’s season to the point where they picked up three wins from the last nine Premier League games, losing the other six. We did break the points record, but Fulham failed in their mission to qualify for Europe.

Now Fulham are out of the cup, again with nine Premier League games remaining, nobody wants a repeat of the fall off in form from last season. That’s why it’s essential Fulham win on Sunday, bring back the good feelings and keep the hunt for European football.

It all starts on Sunday. Then a home game against Burnley before the final international break of the season. Fulham do have the ability to bounce back, they’ve shown it plenty of times this season. Let’s hope we can do it at the City Ground against a Nottingham Forest side fighting for their lives at the bottom.

Safe travels to those going up on Sunday. COYW!