Marco Silva said his Fulham side must be ‘more ruthless’ after they were denied all three points against AFC Bournemouth by Dango Ouatarra’s late equaliser.
Fulham lead twice through headers from Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez but had to settle for a point after defensive errors by Joachim Andersen and Issa Diop.
The Portuguese head coach told his post-match press conference that he was very frustrated after seeing two points slip away in the final stages.
“Yes, definitely. A really tough one to take in a difficult game. We expected a really difficult game, three days after our last game, which was the same for them as well. The first half was difficult for us and we were not able to have the possession that we like to have normally. It was a set piece that made the difference for us, a great one as well, a great ball from Andreas.
The second half was our best half. After we made it 2-1, we started to control the game really well. The impact of Tom Cairney was big and he made a big impact on the game. It felt like it was much closer to 3-1 than 2-2 but when the game gets towards the end, we have to be more ruthless.
Big fight from the players again, great commitment, great attitude and I hope that we can learn from this type of moment because we have to be more ruthless in certain moments. It’s another situation for us to learn from but there are many positives from the game we can take.”
Silva feels that Fulham can be proud of their performances during the first half of the campaign – but there’s a nagging doubt that the Whites should have secured even more points.
“Performance wise, we deserve more points, definitely. I really believe that the way we’ve been playing, we deserve more points. Overall, the unbeaten run in the last seven games, the way we’ve played against top sides and the way we’ve responded with some key players out, we have to be satisfied with the season so far, but there is a feeling that we should have taken more points.”
Having watched Marco’s apoplexy each time Pereira mis-hit a pass or squandered possession in the first half, I am surprised, to say the least, that he should praise him in his post match comments.
Okay, it was a good corner that allowed Jiminez to give us the lead BUT the stats don’t lie and he has taken the most corners of any Premiership player this season (62) and managed to find a Fulham player just once. The other occasion that we scored was off an opposing player’s convenient backside.
So, one successful corner out of sixty two. Pretty damning but overshadowed by the statistic that shows he has been subbed more times, this season, than any other player. In fact, he has been subbed in EVERY game he has started.
How much more proof is needed that, as Anne Robinson, would say: he IS our weakest link?
I agree that AP’s passing and dead balls are too often off target, but I take nothing away from his work rate. I feel that TC should start matches because we always look far better and more in control after he comes on. Once Berge is back, I think he returns to the starting line-up instead of either of them. For me, alongside Lukic, Berge is first choice, then TC then AP.
Our problem seems to be not against the ‘big boys’, but the bottom half sides we ought to be beating quite easily. To date we haven’t spanked anyone in the same way as the two 5-0s against Forest and WH last season. Top 4 sides play into our game plan since they actually attack. You can’t counter-attack if you are not being attacked – as the Southampton game showed. We just do not seem to have the wit to unpick sides who sit deep and appear content not to conceded, which is what ESR should be doing on a regular basis to justify his fee. AP is a luxury player. OK his work rate may be good but his dead ball end production rate is dire, which is why the corner for the goal yesterday was ‘exceptional’!
Completely disagree. I. AP has been a key player this season, although I would like to see who else can take set pieces.
I really hope the rumour of him leaving for Brazil is just that a Rumour.
I also think that AP gets the brunt of all critism undeservedly. He actually had a good game, nothing particularly awful.
Great first half of the season especially as everyone agrees we deserve to have more points. 8th in the Premier League….so proud of the team
Happy New Year