It's time to start planning - but there's no need to push Silva out yet
All is not well in SW6, but what's going on and what does it mean for our boss?
As we enter another international break, Fulham sit 15th in the table. One point away from the relegation zone and six points away from 10th place. It is hard to underestimate how different this season has started, when compared to last season. Fulham were ninth and looked ready to compete.
This year, Fulham have been performing fairly well, but results have been disappointing to say the least. The Everton game showed that, eventually, results do impact performance and mentality.
Now, there is reported discontent in the boardroom, with pressure mounting on Marco Silva, despite any credit you would assume he still has in the bank. I’m going to be honest: on current form I do not think that the board and Marco will be able to agree to a renewal. Whether or not that means he lasts the season remains to be seen.
On the pitch, it is very easy to see a fundamental lack in rhythm. A once familiar starting line up has now changed. Silva is facing a challenge in the Premier League that he has not faced with Fulham before. The club is looking down the table and not up.
Still, there have been a few highlights. Josh King looks like a world-class player in the making. Kenny Tete is looking worth his contract renewal. Harry Wilson is playing well in front of goal. But there are some problems in the team that Silva has not grasped and dealt with in equal measure.
An absent Jedi
Ryan Sessegnon is undoubtedly a fan favourite; he has been a shining light in front of goal this season. But the lack of defensive solidity on the left is a worry. Antonee Robinson’s knee injury remains a cause for major concern. If Silva is committed to playing Kevin high and wide, Sess has to drop offensive duties in tight games. But annoyingly for Silva, this is not Sess’s natural game. In those defensive duels, Robinson’s tenacity and ball progression is missed. When he got forward he made the recovery run look easy. Sess is not graced with that pace.
The midfield mix
Last season, Emile Smith Rowe was a big reason for Fulham’s creative success. Josh King possess more off-the-ball ability, but Emile had the end product. ESR developed a strong understanding with Alex Iwobi and made a formidable left-sided triangle with aforementioned Robinson. That triangle is no more. We’re now asking Sess to do it all on his own with Iwobi being prepared for a more central role. Kevin is still getting to grips with the demands of the Premier League.
Central struggles
In the middle Lukic and Berge have yet to get going this term. A pair that are used to sitting back and allowing a number 10 to thrive, are now being asked to do more than just (i) sit deep, (ii) progress the ball and (iii) douse the fires.
Neither seems capable of the extra responsibilities. We have arguably got a screw loose in the engine room when one of these two is off their game. When both aren’t on their game, we lose the engine room altogether. Everton’s midfield three found that out this weekend.
An AP void
Fulham’s decision to sell Andreas Pereira was one the club took without much fuss. He had his moments but, after a declining performance last season, he was rightfully sold. The lack of a replacement is the loss that Fulham are now realising. Josh King is a brilliant footballer and will play for England one day. However, Andreas pressed high and made things happen.
He took risks and he played with high tempo. He forced connections between midfield and attack. King slows it all down. That speed of thought will come with experience, he is yet to take risks like Andreas used to. Plus, Andreas could still do a job in the number eight position. Whereas King won’t be asked to do that just yet.
This culmination shows Silva has been rather shafted. With his contract running out, he has been given less notice of players arriving, he has had less time to assess how new players will fit in, and he’s got selection headaches combined with the need for a new primary focus: survival.
SUB
As I say, I do not think the board will renew Marco’s contract. He looks to be losing his way. Adama Traore up front. Persisting with an underperforming Bassey. Asking for wingers instead of a central midfielder. His unwilligness to utilise a third striker in the squad. Failing to trust record signings Emile and Kevin. It all shows a lack of clear thinking. Everything has gone right for Fulham under Marco. When things go wrong, is he still the man to turn to?
Many Fulham fans will point to his successes, and explain how much he has done for the club. I don’t deny his achievements, but to stand by and defend him for obvious errors in judgment is an exercise in the same favouritism he irrationally retains for players who underperform, yet remain in the starting line-up.
We have to take the rose tinted glasses off. Are there other options to take Fulham to the next level? The Carabao Cup is a big opportunity for Marco to place himself firmly in the running for the Fulham job next season. Yet, if Fulham fall out of that competition, Silva risks looking at a season where the overall expectation is to avoid relegation.
This is not Marco’s usual expectation. Adjusting to a more defensively solid team is not what he has recruited for this summer. Fulham now look more top heavy than ever, and Fulham could be asked more questions defensively at the wrong time.
Don’t pull trigger - yet
Of course the likes of Gareth Southgate, Liam Rosenior and even Eric Ten Haag could be looked at in the future. Making a list of names and filing it away for safe keeping in the middle of this bad run is not a bad idea. But Marco should not be given the boot unless absolutely necessary. He has earned a grace period. He should still be trusted to turn it all around.
After all, when he was introduced to us all for the first time in the Premier League at Hull, he was dealing with a team all-but relegated. Somehow Silva inspired brilliant performances, and made the team look much more competitive. It earned him another managerial role.
The squad Silva has assembled at Fulham is far better than the one at Hull. Silva is known for improving squads. I don’t doubt that he’ll find the formula. But if he finds the formula that merely saves Fulham from relegation, it doesn’t guarantee that he’ll stay in post. A comfortable position in mid-table, and getting to the final of the Carabao Cup, should be enough for Silva to know he won’t be packing his bags. Sadly at this moment, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll get us to that level.
Fulham should start creating that shortlist just in case things don’t turn around. We might see the end of a wonderful journey if Marco cannot use his powers of improvement for his own good.