Marco Silva admitted Fulham struggled to build momentum against Crystal Palace as their London derby at Craven Cottage finished all square this afternoon.
The Fulham head coach conceded that a point apiece was a fair outcome – despite his obvious disappointment at the concession of a stunning equaliser to Eagles substitute Jeffrey Schlupp. Silva told his post-match press conference:
“Of course, we are not happy with the result but at the same time we have to say that it’s a fair result, in my opinion. Our first half was not at the level that we normally play at home. I know that it’s a cliché, but we saw two completely different halves.
First half, Palace were better, the way they started, they were more aggressive on and off the ball than us. We were not calm enough to build our attacks like we would normally do. The moment that Bernd got a small injury was important for us to give some feedback for the players in that moment, and we started to react. I think last 10 minutes of the first half were much better, and the second half was completely different.
It was a tough game against a side that is in a good moment, but second half we scored a nice goal. The way we won that ball high on the pitch, good combination out wide on the right hand side, and great assist from Timo to Rodri. Even so, we tried to keep the same intensity in the game to try to find a way to score the second goal. We had a very good chance with Bobby, scoring that chance should have killed the game.
Unfortunately we didn’t, and [it was] a great strike from Schlupp, but we should have prevented much better that moment to not allow the ball in that area of the pitch. Unfortunately, we didn’t block that moment and they scored an amazing goal.”
Just amazed that Silva opted for Decordova Reid yet again despite his abysmal performance last week. This time he played him on the right wing-which doesn’t say much for the two right wingers that had to sit on the bench. Yet again, he was next to useless. Two shots in the first half that had to be seen to be believed; one near the D of the box that actually started to curl back on itself and a second that went everywhere, high and wide, but definitely nowhere near the goal. In the 2nd half, of course, he blazed that one good opportunity over.
Surely, enough is enough? I have nothing against the guy but he’s just not Premiership quality and it’s like starting with a man short.
By playing him, right OR left, it completely disrupts the balance of the team. Robinson, for example, can’t make his usual charges forward because he has zero support.
So, finally, Tosin has decided that he’s off. I think he will be sorry because, apart from his aerial ability, he is not as good as he thinks he is and his distribution leaves a lot to be desired. But, personally, I only want to see players who WANT to be at Fulham wearing the shirt.
All in all, after a torrid first 30 minutes when Palace totally dominated, I think a draw was a deserved result.
Muniz took some heavy stick, especially from Andersen, but never complained, never rolled around in agony, like some, and I was delighted to see him score.
The Palace equaliser was unbelievably good so no complaints.
I 100% agree with every word from Charles. Please no more BDR. If we want to use him as a cheap utility player to boost squad numbers then fine. A premier league forward he is not. As soon as I saw the team sheet my heart sank. A man down is exactly how I see it.
I’m afraid Marco may be a genius but that first half is down to that team selection. It’s not that our attitude was bad it was we had no way of getting out. HR, Perreira and BDR just got bullied. You can’t carry 3 players with no strength or pace. With no pace in the side Palace’s back 4 was at times holding a line in our own half and they just suffocated us. We didn’t have the strength to play through that. Our goal didn’t really change the balance of play. Things really changed once Willian came on and BDR came off. To play in the Prem as an attacking player you need strength to hold the ball up or pace or ability on the ball to keep it. Ideally you need more than 1 of those. BDR is a loyal servant but the reality is he has none of those attributes.
Someone in a different thread said Diop had a poor game. Just to mention for first game back I thought he did pretty well. We obviously need another top CB with Tosin going but heh Tosin was always going to chase the money as a free agent so I don’t think you can really blame him.
I think Marco was to blame for making the 3 late substitute’s with only 5 minutes left, we were doing well and would have seen out the game for 3points he can’t say that we had tired legs as all the players should be fit enough to play 90 plus minutes or the training needs to be improved, those subs should have been brought on a lot earlier or not at all they need time to adjust to the game it was stupid and costly.
A horrific first Half. lucky not be 3 down Why we do not give Traore a start with his pace is inexplicable. BDR is not as poor as many think he always gives 100% as is good for the Substitutes Bench Perriera was anonymous for most of the match personally I prefer Lukic to Harrisi=on Reed, On the plus side Muniz, Bassey , Palhinha and Casagne had good matches. Iwobi seems to have struggled in past couple of matches
Surely Stansfield would offer more than Bobby Reid. He has speed, not afraid to to mix it up and he knows how to score. I’m sure with that chance BDR had Jay would have at least worked the keeper. I don’t think Silva has any faith in youth players, unlike other teams who use their academy players. As we are safe , in a position of league security, we could use this opportunity to change it a bit with a young player or two.
Regarding the match, I thought Attwell was shit as usual and Andersen should have been carded long before he actually was.
Totally agree with Martin re Jay Stansfield. Surely he deserves his chance next season? But he’s not a winger. God knows, Birmingham have played him in enough weird positions. He would be perfect playing alongside Muniz but that would require a complete change of playing philosophy from Marco Silva and the sacrificing of one wide player. Can’t see that happening.
But there’s one thing we REALLY need and that’s a captain; somebody who really takes control on the pitch and drives the team on; a LEADER!
We haven’t had one since the playing days of Scott Parker.
Tom Cairney-love him as a player but he’s not a driving force. Tim Ream, probably the best of a poor bunch, this season, but too nice and quiet.
For some strange reason, Marco Silva has decided to split the skipper duties between players that have zero on-field influence. I’m assuming that’s because they make up the “senior” tranche of players in the dressing room but that’s just unprofessional IMO.
Bernd Leno, as a goalkeeper, has minimal impact on the pitch. Selecting Bobby Decordova Reid and Harrison Reed as captains is just plain daft. How can players be expected to respect being told what to do by teammates who spend most of the season on the bench?
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that John Terry was a great captain for Chelsea. I listened to him being interviewed recently and how he took control of every new player that Chelsea bought insisting that they train and play to a certain level. He led by example, putting it all on the line on the pitch.
We need that badly.
Agreed Charles, our last proper captain was Danny Murphy.
Hi Dan you’ve been quiet all week, are you OK?