Marco Silva bemoaned Fulham’s shambolic first-half display as the White succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this evening.
The game was over as a contest by the end of the first half as Forest flew into a three-goal lead with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White giving the home side an insurmountable 3-0 advantage by the break. Silva’s disenchantment with Fulham’s feeble display was summed up when he made a triple substitution after just 33 minutes.
“I wanted to see a reaction. I want to be clear it was not the fault of the players who came off. In that moment if I could have changed more, I would have. I do not want to highlight those three players, it was not their fault. At that moment I wanted to keep more of the ball & with Tom Cairney and Willian they are able to do that. I wanted to create some one v ones on the right-hand side and Adama is able to do that.”
The Fulham head coach revealed the gravity of his half-time team talk:
“We had a serious conversation at half time. We wanted to show a completely different performance and we scored an early goal which was important for us. In terms of a reaction we also had one off the crossbar, one of the post. We had some other chances as well. They had one or two moments as well but scoring that second goal for us could have meant everything.
The reaction was there in the second half but that doesn’t matter because the performance in the first half leaves us with nothing to be pleased with. Normally we are a team that creates chances. Even though we were not at our best level we kept creating chances. Football is not just about creating chances, we have to be solid.”
Jeez! What’s it like supporting this lot? From the sublime performance against Spurs to the sloppy efforts at Sheffield before we got it together and salvaged a point, I certainly hoped that we had managed to get rid of the gremlins for this game but, typically, we played like a team of no hopers and got taken to the cleaners by a team that is struggling to survive.
I applaud Marco Silva’s amazingly early changes because something drastic needed to be done but, unfortunately, it was arguably our best player, who remained on the pitch, that had, probably, his worst ever game for us. That was Joao Palhinha who totally failed to get a grip in midfield and allowed Gibbs White the freedom to inflict more damage.
Thankfully, we managed to salvage some pride and could have even scraped another comeback draw but this inconsistency is what’s keeping us in the lower half of the table.
I am in two minds about Willian who, once again, refuses to commit his future to Fulham. I don’t think Traore is the answer but, at least, he goes forward-unlike Wilson who goes backwards and, occasionally, on a good day, sideways.
Lukic has been given a decent run but, apart from the Tottenham game, just doesn’t really inspire.
Iwobi plays decently -on the right. But forget it when he has to play on the opposite flank.
IMO we need a captain in the thick of things -driving the team on -not the goalkeeper.
Palhinha will come out, next game, looking to make amends, I know. So we just need to see a reaction from everybody else because Newcastle are there for the taking.
Agree with everything Charles says. For me I had a sneeking feeling this display was coming. To make the next step we need serial winners, players mentally at it. Players totally determined to be the absolute best they can be. For me….we had quite a few players happy to celebrate the progress of the last few weeks and our 39pts.
So glad Marco stamped his authority on that 1st half performance with the subs, although absolutely agree there were worse performances than the 3 that came off. If we’re going to take the next step we’re going to need to lose nicey nicey Fulham. Going to have to get a bit mentally tougher. It’s the same ball and pitch away from home. Obviously you expect a difference in results away from home but not like we have. Time to man up. I hope a few like Tosin aren’t coasting to the transfer window.
I blame a lot of this on Silva away from home you can’t start with full backs playing like wingers and holding players not defending and wingers not coming back. Must win your battles first, he’s not leaning his lessons does it v all the lower clubs that’s why our away records so bad got to be solid like you are for top teams
Where’s Kevin Mac when you need him? Embarrassing to say the least. This team is showing it’s age and has to be one of the most lifeless, pathetic performances in recent years.
The team looked unfit and Forest’s pace ripped us apart.
No one would believe that we beat this Forest team so easily a few months ago and they could have easily returned the same score on us.
It’s all very well for Silva to make substitutions early on, thereby admitting he messed up, but it his job to pick, motivate and ensure the team is up for the challenge.
Finally, Leno is not a captain , not even a good keeper,when standing on the penalty spot, caught cold, watching Wood’s shot go past him, so sort that one out Silva.
Woeful. Agree with the 3 other comments. Really naive. You need to earn the right to play and for half an hour we didn’t. Tete constantly caught upfield and unable to get back. Midfield non existant, centre backs pulled all over the place. Brave substitutions but the players didn’t need changing. The system was wrong as was the attitude.
Awful the players and coaches for second match looked pathetic. Is it the Motspur Park plan to not turn up for a first half and then try to recover in the second half -it does not work Marco.Get the lazy idiots out of the club.
As for Marcos pre match comment that Fulham are better now than when we beat them 5-0 a few months ago is he ok.I
I think all the players are mentally on the beach and not bothered.
COYW
I totally agree with all the above comments we were bloody useless and Leno never even moved for one of their goals he stood flat footed and just watched it go past him. We need TK to get at least 5 new players and get rid of some of the ones who are just not good enough.
How we were squirming behind the goal in that first half, absolutely pathetic and embarrassing and to top it all off we all got soaked after the game. Silva needs to give some of these players a clump round the ear and telling them Saturday is a game to make amends.