Tim Ream can’t wait for the start of the new Championship season – and says the Fulham squad have been reenergised by the approach of new manager Marco Silva.

The experienced American centre back – fresh from winning the CONCACAF Nations’ League with the USA over the summer – told FulhamFCTV this afternoon that he has really enjoyed the early days working under Silva at Motspur Park.

“It’s been fantastic. All of the guys have been really receptive to his ideas, his thoughts, his way of playing. I think guys are excited and everyone’s been showing it in training. It’s been intense, but there are days that we’ve scaled it back a little bit and really worked on ideas and patterns, defensive shape and a lot of the small things, basic things and building blocks. His communication is everything. He walks around and talks to guys individually – has been top notch.

“I think the biggest thing is just to play with a smile on your face. He wants us to enjoy our football, but he also wants us to focus. It’s okay to have a smile, have a laugh, joke afraid a bit – and I think he keeps things a little bit loose, keeps it light but when the whistle blows and we’re doing certain possessions or certain drills, guys are focused in and intense.”

Ream, 33, knows exactly what to expect from the Championship – having been promoted twice with Fulham previously – and believes the squad has what it takes to clinch an immediate return to the top flight.

“The Championship’s a grind. It’s 46 games, plus your Cup games. Seven or eight guys will be going away for internationals – so it is more travel and more games. It’s difficult. It is an experienced squad at this level and we know what it takes to get out of it. Some of us have done it multiple times, some of us have done it once. The majority of this group has done it once already and we expect to be right at the very top again this year.”