While Sheffield United are looking to end a run of three successive defeats – in which they’ve shipped 12 goals – Marco Silva insists Fulham will be equally as motivated to provide a reaction on Saturday.
A below-par opening 45 minutes against Chelsea on Monday ended up costing us dearly, and our Head Coach is looking for more consistency throughout games going forward.
“For sure, they want to react from the last ones, but we want the same, we want to react from the last match against Chelsea and we want to fight really hard for the three points, and we want to play better than the last one,” Silva said.
“We cannot repeat that first half. Second half was completely different against Chelsea but we have to really start different and be more consistent during the 90 minutes instead of just reacting second half, which is what we want to see tomorrow on the pitch.
“It’s always tough against Sheffield United, we know how they come here always with the two strikers, in any moment of the game ready to try to punish you.
“They have the capacity, even if you press them high, to go more direct for one of the target men, and after to explore in behind. They prepare well for second balls and they are always a threat in set-pieces as well.
“We have to be really focused on the game and, of course, put the game in the areas that we are strong, and to play in our way.”
The Blades made unwanted headlines last month when they were beaten 8-0 at home by Newcastle United, but Silva knows it would be foolish to underestimate our opponents.
“We will have to work really hard to win the game,” he stated. “That’s the way that we have to think, is the way that our fans have to approach the game as well, and our players.
“We have to really respect Sheffield United, they want to really get a good result to achieve what they want from the match, and we want the same.
“At the end, it’s going to be another Premier League game for us and we have to really concentrate on the game, focus on our role in the plan that we have for the match, to win the football match.
“Of course, if you ask me about the result, I would like to win with a clean sheet if I can, that is the main thing for us, because it's important for us to be solid as a team, and compact.
“And, of course, at the same time we have to work really hard to create chances to win the football match and to score goals.”
