Marco Silva admitted that Fulham’s dodgy defending meant he was unable to savour an entertaining FA Cup tie with Sunderland.
The Whites looked like being on the end of an upset after Jack Clarke punished Issa Diop’s error to give the Black Cats an early lead and it took a moment of magic from captain Tom Cairney to rescue a replay for the Premier League outfit.
The Fulham head coach told his post-match press conference:
“It was an intense game, a typical FA Cup match. We were more dominant, to be honest that was our obligation, but I believe the game was too broken, for me as a manager, to enjoy. We conceded a cheap goal, gave a goal to them. We created a scenario where we were being more dominant, pushing them back, and showing the quality to break their organisation and create some chances.
Overall in the game, I think we have created enough chances to score more goals. But in the other side, I think we gave many, many moments for them as well. In some moments we gave the ball away so easily, and in some duels, some challenges, we have to be much more aggressive to not let them create the spaces. We lost some important challenges, and that was the part of the game that I really didn’t like. I think the space between our backline and our midfielders was too big in some moments.
That space there between the lines, we gave many times for the shots for the striker to connect, when [Amad] Diallo received behind our two midfielders, and in that situation they created some moments, more than just moments on the counter-attack. They have that quality in those areas, but it’s something that we clearly have to improve on and do much better.
We were not able to win and to go through this evening, so what we couldn’t do this afternoon, we have to do in 10 days. We had the chance in 90 minutes to do it. We didn’t, and now we have to in 10 or 15 days”.
Silva spot on with his comments.Vg game yesterday for the neutral. Sunderland youngsters quick and skilful. Given our chances created overall we should have won. However we clarified some lessons we already know ;
Harry too one dimensional / one footed to play at the level we now expect. So predictable afraid. Credit him getting into positions tho. Only useful off the bench
Tosin. Appalling performance on the left side (has ben vg on the right all season) can’t kick with his left foot, mis passes, panics and takes 2/3 touches to get it on his right hence slows it all down. Not his fault just a square peg in a round hole. We are going to need to spend serious money to replace Ream.
Vinny not up to it. Kurwaza decent back up only. Solomon vg , Cairney invaluable to us. Onwards
I totally agree with Silva’s comments about our defence. Sunderland constantly launched attacked down our left hand side. I still have doubts about Kurzawa’s defensive qualities. The Tosin /Diop partnership at the centre of defence is a disaster. Vinicius offered nothing and we require another back up for Mitro Harry Wilson unfortunately seems to have lost it. On the plus note Cairney was magnificent. Solomon really impressed me and Pereira covered every blade of grass. Willan made a difference when he came on as a substitute
We were very frail in defence especially on the left hand side. The Diop/-Toshin partnership does not work and I question Kurzawa when players run at him. Up front Viniciius is a waste of space. At the moment Wilson is not worth more than a place on the bench. Solomon looks a great prospect he is quick and direct. A great addition to the squad, Cairney was imperious. Tete had another good match. Rodak is a first class back up. However it does show how shallow is our squad
Diop was awful so too were Vinicius Tosin Wilson, Cairney saved us from losing the match and deserves to start more often we need a few more players in this window our backup players aren’t good enough.