Fulham head coach Marco Silva was disappointed with the defensive errors that handed Aston Villa a return to winning ways at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Portuguese boss felt his side were well below their usual level of performance and showed their Champions’ League chasing opponents far too much respect before Rodrigo Muniz breathed life back into the contest after the hour mark.
Silva told his post-match press conference:
“It wasn’t our best performance, particularly in the first half. The first goal was huge. It gave them confidence and impacted the game, it meant they could control the game in a different way. We knew what we were capable of doing and our plan for the game; unfortunately, a goal can change everything.
In the first half, we were not at our [usual] level, but there were not many chances for them either. At the beginning of the second half, we had some dangerous moments. We tried to control the game and play more narrowly in our defensive half.
We were punished for the second goal. It was really sloppy the way we defended that moment, it was like a punch for ourselves, but after the reaction from the 2-1 [goal] we were like a completely different team. From that moment, only Fulham were on the pitch. We pushed them back, it was our obligation to equalise the game. We had chances but we missed them.”
Terrible goals to concede.
I totally get why Silva chose to start with an unchanged team after the Bournemouth win and Decordova Reid scoring BUT, after that abysmal first half performance from Decordova Reid, I was shocked to see him start the second half, where, for 15 further minutes, he pretended to be a right winger.
With two GENUINE right wingers sat on the bench, it was beyond comprehension.
The dynamics of the game changed completely once Wilson was introduced and the attacking momentum increased even more when Traore was introduced.
I have nothing against Decordova Reid but, at best, he’s a Championship player. He 100% is NOT a Premiership winger and why Silva continually chooses to favour him is bizarre.
Villa are riding high but, after Muniz scored (still trying to work out how he managed from that angle), we played them off the park and were worth, at the very least, a point.
Mystified by Tim Ream being subbed. A clear sign that Bassey is now the preferred left sided central defender, but Ream has been playing well and our problem is on the right side where Diop continues to be a liability.
Now we lose Palhinha for two games. That card came with 5 minutes to go, just when I thought he was home dry but, now it has happened, when he returns, I can breathe easier every time he goes diving in.
Perreira and BDR same old same old. Now we have options can we please move forward from these guys. No strength, no pace, no drive, no aggression.
The difference when Iwobi and Traore came on was like night and day.
Completely agree with the comments. Pereira and BDR were completely anonymous and not for the first tume. Surely we have to start with Iwobi instead of Pereira and then we are spoilt with three great wingers, Willian, Wilson and Traore. Bassey looked fantastic when he came on and Diop is a liability. What is the status with Tosin? On ability, he and Bassey together is our best central defensive pairing.
I agree Bassey and Tosin are our best defenders and why Bassey and Iwobi didn’t start from the beginning I don’t understand , Wilson is better than BDR and it’s time to drop Periera,
Totally agree with previous comments. Loyalty to a winning team is understandable but each game should be approached according to the opposition. Villa played with a small, speedy front line and we started with Diop the slowest defender in the squad. Robinson has many brilliant qualities but is prone to bad lapses. Personally I would love to see him pushed into midfield where we see week after week his pace terrifying defenders. DCR and Pereira seem to be undroppable in Marco’s eyes