Fulham head coach was far from surprised that his side found it difficult to stop Manchester City from strutting their stuff on a sunkissed Craven Cottage this afternoon – but he was disappointed with some of his side’s defending.
The Whites were beaten 4-0 in their final home game of the season – after conceding a brace to defender Josko Gvardiol, with Phil Foden scoring the crucial second during a period of Fulham pressure just before the hour mark. Substitute Julian Alvarez sent Bernd Leno the wrong way from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after Issa Diop had been sent off.
Silva told his post-match press conference:
“It was a tough game as we expected. Like for all the teams who have played against this City side at their best, it’s always really tough. We started the game really well, with a plan to mix up the position of Bobby De Cordova-Reid a bit. From our point of view, [we had] some good transitions in that period. As always, goals play a big part in football matches, and this afternoon is a good example of that, the way we conceded almost all four goals. Of course, credit for City and all that stuff, but we have to do much better for almost all the four goals.
The first was a simple combination from Gvardiol in that situation – the pass and goal we have to defend much better, we have to be more aggressive. And the second as well. Okay, a little bit lucky after a good tackle from João.
The second goal killed the game. [It came] probably during our best period. We had a good chance with Rodrigo Muniz from an Adama Traore cross before the second goal. They scored, and the third and the fourth more or less the same situation. We conceded a soft set-piece goal and an unnecessary penalty when we have been really, really solid in defensive set-pieces so far this season. Conceding goals like that against a top side like City, of course makes it much more difficult for us, and this is what’s happened in the game.”
We all know the gap in class. Every City player is bigger, stronger, quicker and more skilful than their Fulham equivalent. So there’s no shame in the result for me. That said, given the gulf in class, if your strategy is to pass your way through City from the back then you deserve to lose because tactically for me that was awful. We simply had no chance of playing through them. Yes we were always going to struggle but at least give yourself a chance. Use some pace and try and turn them by running the channels, give yourself an outlet. Give yourself a chance of getting up the pitch. How were we ever going to score trying to play all the way through them from Leno with no strength or pace in the side. Use Traore to turn them, get the ball in the box early and hope for an error etc. What else do we have with our squad? Trying to out pass City is just stupid.
The changes started to work early in the second half with Traore until we lost our way after the second goal.
BDR yet again as captain defies belief. He shouldn’t be in the side let alone captain. What leadership can he provide to the likes of Palhinia, Leno, Willian, Perreira?
Sorry Marco, I love what you do for Fulham, but, that team, set up like that had zero chance. We had virtually no chance anyway. But that approach? Really?? We need another way of playing occasionally.
If we play like we did today and the past few matches, next season we will be relegated for sure. As Dave said, BDR as captain is a joke, he offers nothing . Give Calvin Bassey the armband, presumably he will be with us next year, unlike Reid.
Silva has his work cut out for next term and maybe he should look at himself and perhaps change his formation, especially if we have this bunch of geriatrics playing.
Dave, you said it all, mate!
Martin, you further emphasised what Dave had said.
When I look at other managers in the Premiership, I think we are really blessed to have Marco as our manager but he definitely has a bias towards certain players who will always let him down.
But he really needs to look at a change in our system because his preference for playing two wide players and a lone striker only works if you have quality wide players-and we don’t.
Sure, on any given day, we can run teams ragged but, too often, the opposite is the case.
I also think that we are in danger of ruining Muniz by continuing to expect him to battle alone upfront and take serious punishment. He is, by no means, the finished article but he’s the best we’ve got and needs support.
And we need a bloody captain!
Martin’s suggestion of Calvin Bassey, for his commitment at least, is not a bad one but I think, from what I have seen of him, off the field, he likes to be one of the lads and doesn’t take things too seriously so, maybe, an older, more experienced head is needed.
For some strange reason, Marco Silva doesn’t seem to set great store in having a captain on the field-judging by his recent choices.
On recent showings, I’m not looking forward to us finishing with a victory against Luton and, even if we do, big bloody deal!
We were bloody awful we need 2 better wingers another striker to play alongside Muniz another centre back and another midfielder and I too can’t understand why BDR is even in the team let alone Captain he is a joke.