Speaking to the press after Wednesday night’s 4-1 victory over Birmingham, Marco Silva was delighted with the way his squad bounced back from the defeat at Blackpool.
“It was a great win, a very good answer after the bad result last Saturday,” he said. “We were brave, since the first minutes of the game, we created chances within the plan that we had and what we prepared for during the game. We won the game clearly, a good set piece for the first one. After we scored the second, we had more and more chances as well.
“We knew that we must be brave against them, the way they play, set pieces they are really strong in that moment. The long throws into the box as well. When we play in our way, scoring four goals away from home again, with more chances to score, it’s a good sign for us and a good win.”
Aleksandar Mitrović bagged a brace, and the boss praised the Serb’s contribution to the team performance.
“I know Mitrović, I think all of us know, he’s an important player for us,” he admitted. “Not just because he scores goals, the way we want to play, the way we use him to link our game. He is a really important player for us.
“He scored from the penalty in the first half, the second goal he scored is very important, almost 85 minutes in, to show to me that he is really involved in the team, not just to score goals, but pressing the opponents and doing his work without the ball.”
Harry Wilson returned to the side after missing the trip to Blackpool and capped a lively performance with a goal. Speaking on the Welshman’s display, Silva admitted he was keen to sign him.
“It is because of this we signed him,” he confessed. “I came, and I asked our board to sign him, he was the first player we spoke about. He is showing his quality, he is enjoying playing for us. He is happy, a very good boy, a very good professional.”
Nathaniel Chalobah made his first appearance in a Fulham shirt. Silva heaped praise on a stellar debut for the former Watford man.
“He will be really important for us. He is a player I know very well, he signed with Watford when I was at that Club. We had a chance to have Chalobah with us as a free player. Having a player with his quality, what he can add to our squad, it was a fantastic moment for us to sign him.
“He knew many of his teammates, he looks happy in our football club. He is not in the conditions to play 60 minutes in the pace and intensity I want, but he must play the 90! He finished the game really tired. He will be a player that will improve more and more. I am really pleased and happy to have him with us.”
The comprehensive win sees Fulham return to the top of the Championship table and the Head Coach is clearly pleased with the spirit his group of players are showing.
“As a team we are creating something really strong between us, our dressing room as well, everyone is involved, the players that were here, the players that came in, some players trained today this morning in the training ground.
“Everyone is involved, it will be a big marathon for us, it will be a big fight to the end. Together we can be successful at the end of the season.”
