Marco Silva believes Fulham’s record signing Emile Smith Rowe will shine once he has put a series of injuries behind him after the England international put the Whites on their way to a comfortable victory at Leicester City this afternoon.
The former Arsenal midfielder has endured a patchy start to his Craven Cottage career since his summer switch, struggling for form and fitness in west London. Smith Rowe stooped to head in the opening goal as the Whites bounced back from their first defeat in ten games at West Ham in midweek to ease past the struggling Foxes in the Midlands this afternoon.
Silva told his post-match press conference at the King Power Stadium:
“He’s a very, very important player for us. Unfortunately for him and us, he had a difficult December month which broke the momentum and confidence he was playing with. He had a small issue in his hamstring. He’s a player who’s had injuries in the past that have completely broken his momentum. Of course, it starts to create some doubts in his mind.
We were able to rest him and manage him in the best we could, and it’s really important to have him back again. He’s going to arrive at his best again.”
Hope he’s right!
Yeah echo that comment if he’s ok now he needs to step up big time
He definitely needs to improve his all round game we have been carrying him too long.
He’s got to improve this season, think it will be gradual after such a long time out at Arsenal. With know more injuries and a full pre season. Fill the best will come next season
Scoring obviously meant a lot to him, he was patently both relieved and emotional. That implies that he cares and the goal will do wonders for his confidence and form for the rest of the season. At his best he is a very good player. With this attitude I’m sure he’ll get there. The goal apart, I thought his involvement was much improved and he’s now got something to build on.
watch him on the ball, wonderful distribution and control.
Much rather ESR playing behind a striker than Pereira. ESR miles better. We look way more balanced. Sander Berge had a great game.
ESR much improved. Had freedom to influence the game. Great to see a corner land on Rauls head. Berger and Lukic ran the midlle of the park allowing ESR to venture forward.
Defence again looked suspect, would have been punished by quality players. Great to see Adama on the scoresheet with a really good finish. Lets hope we are saving our best for Man U and Newcastle. COYW
With Berg and Lukic my man of the match ESR has more freedom he is good on the ball but cannot tackle. You cannot play ESR and Pereira in the same team
Yeah, agree with you all. Not to get carried away, lots of positives from this game. Hope Lukic can just tone it down a bit without his effectiveness suffering. Wouldn’t want him to get another ban.
Agree with David C . Lukic has certainly replaced Paulihna even with the bookings
ESR has a lot of catching up to do, espeacially considering his buying price tag. Lukic has been a revelation, one of the best performers in each match. The next match at home vs United should show if we really mean business. Right now they are totally beatable, we cannot lose points at home and expect a European qualification.