Marco Silva is determined to give the Fulham fans ‘what they deserve’ by beating Brentford in Monday night’s local derby.
The Fulham head coach was full of praise for his opposite number, Thomas Frank, and the job that the Dane has done in establishing the Bees as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League but Silva admitted he is motivated by winning local bragging rights as the Whites famously did against Chelsea two years ago.
Silva told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon that he won’t be underestimating Fulham’s local rivals:
“[Brentford are] a very good side. I think they have been consistent the last few seasons, the way they have been playing many years with most of the same players, the same manager, showing the consistency that this league demands.
A London derby, local derby, is always more special, probably more intense, and it’s always a tough game. Away or at home against them, it’s always a tough game, like it’s always the same for them to play against us. We want to give the great feeling to our fans, that is to win a local derby. We know what we are going to face, we know that it’s a little bit more special to the fans, and what we want to give really is what they deserve from the Monday Night Football.”
The Portuguese head coach expects an open game at Craven Cottage.
“It’s true that they have been scoring many goals, but at the same time conceding, too – slightly different to what we have been seeing the past few seasons. They are always a threat in the attack line – Lewis-Potter in a good moment, and of course Wissa and Mbeumo, and the player that is going to play behind the three up front. Normally it’s a player that can punish and can be a threat as well. They have good players in the attack line, always solid, and most of the time playing with four central defenders in the back four as well. Strong in the set-pieces, too.”
He was effusive with his praise for Frank’s achievements since he moved to Griffin Park in 2018.
“[He’s done a] top, top, top job. Brilliant job, from the Championship, what he’s been doing in that football club, the way he’s been able always to add different things. They try to still be consistent as a team, but you can see [they’re] a little bit more open, scoring more goals than the previous seasons.
You can compare the same story to us as well, losing important players, selling important players, [but] being able to rebuild again. There are similar things between both sides in that aspect, to sometimes sell their best players and to go again, to try to rebuild, to try to put some young players and fresh players inside.
But yes, it’s been a great, great job from him. He’s a top person, he’s always really nice to play against and to share some ideas before and after the match. I have to be really complimentary about him as well, because as a person, top, and I think his job speaks for itself.”
