‘We are not doing anything really different’ – Marco Silva explains Fulham’s remarkable return to form

Following Fulham’s 5-0 win against West Ham, Marco Silva explained the tactical changes that have seen his side move into the top half of the Premier League table.

The victory against their London rivals was the Whites’ second five-goal win of the week after they dismantled Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, and it extended a good run of form to three wins from four matches.

Fulham have scored 16 goals in that run having previously found the net at a rate of less than a goal a game at the start of this season.

The Fulham head coach insists nothing drastic has brought about the turnaround though.

“We are not doing anything really different,” said Silva. “Of course we have adjusted and changed some things.

“The trust in the players was always there, the process is not something new from the last four games.

“Tom Cairney is having a huge impact since I brought him into the team, and we adjusted something when I decided to change the position of Andreas [Pereira].

“Cairney always adds that extra quality for us in terms of build-up, it’s a big plus.

“The players are starting to get connections between them. Andreas is starting to connect better with Raul [Jimenez] and Alex [Iwobi]. The new players needed time.

“We almost didn’t have a pre-season so the team took time to learn how to win in the best competition in the world.”

Perhaps the most startling aspect of Fulham’s good form has been Jimenez’s improved goalscoring record.

Having failed to find the net in 33 Premier League appearances, the Mexican now has four goals in his last five games.

The former Wolves striker opened the scoring against West Ham with a bullet header from a Joao Palhinha cross – his first headed goal since the fractured skull he suffered in December 2020.

“Confidence builds confidence,” explained Silva. “The best example is Raul. Since he scored against Aston Villa it has lifted his confidence.

“The first four or five league games this season he was giving much more to the team than we were giving him in terms of providing chances, after he lost a bit of confidence.

“It is part of the game when you have gone so long without a Premier League goal.”