Fulham coach Marco Silva gave an honest assessment of Fulham’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, a quintessential game of two halves. Andreas Pereira had put the Whites 1-0 up in a dominant first-half, but two goals after the break saw the Cherries snatch all three points.
Marco Silva said: “The way we started the game and we controlled all of the first half, we were clearly the better team on the pitch. Very good first half, I think we just had a lack of killer instinct to make things much more difficult for them. I think that was one of the reasons we were not winning by more than 1-0 at half-time. Second half was completely different and difficult to understand. We prepared the players and we knew that the reaction from them would come. We took too much time to start to play football again. First 15 minutes, every time we won the ball, we gave it away. At this level, when this happens, the other team get the momentum.”
The gaffer said that while his side won’t dwell on the result, they’ll learn from it as they look ahead.
Marco Silva said: “We have to analyse why the things happened because we cannot have two faces like we showed this afternoon. Of course, you know that you are playing in the Premier League and other teams, they react, they have quality as well and they are fighting, like us, for the points. But we cannot be the one team like we were in the first half and and then second half a completely different team. We have so many good things to play for. Ten games left to fight for and to show improvements every single week, this is the main thing for us. Of course, after will come the position in the table, but we have to fight for the points and to show the quality, bravery and courage to play football like we showed in the first half.”
Carlos Vinicius replaced the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic up top, and played a part in Andreas’ opening goal.
Marco Silva said: “(He had a) good first half, like most of our players. Some good moments, the goal is a good example. The way he linked the play and created that situation down our left-hand side. Second half, it was a bit more difficult for him. When you don’t provide for your striker and the ball comes direct every time, it’s more easy for the defenders to get it.”
Fulham will now have a week of preparation ahead of their next test, a home clash with West Ham.
Marco Silva said: “We have to focus on what we should improve. As always, we are here to improve the players, to make the Club better and to prepare not just for the next game but for the future of the Club as well.”
