‘We believe in ourselves’

Marco Silva says Fulham’s hugely impressive start to life back in the Premier League against Liverpool his given them renewed belief in their ability to make an impression this time around, writes Yann Tear.

The two previous promotions ended in instant relegations, but the way the Whites performed in Saturday’s thrilling 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage means they travel to Wolves this weekend with a spring in their step.

“We believe in ourselves. We trust ourselves and our process, and our philosophy as well,” said the Fulham boss.

“The way we started against a top team was good – a team that played the Champions League final last season and won two trophies. We matched them, that is the main thing for us.

“You have to show on the pitch that you are there and ready and you have to keep going.” Silva continued:

“This week is a different game. It will be a different story. What I can say is that we will do the same work as we did during the week [before Liverpool]. We prepare for the game in the same way.

“It will not be anything different. We have to learn from some of the things that happened – like the way we conceded the two goals. We know there are things to improve.

“We want to be there, to match Wolves.” Silva said he did not feel the need to give two-goal hero Aleksandar Mitrovic any special words to coax the sort of display from him which suggests he can be more than just a Championship bully.

“In six weeks, I haven’t spoken once with Mitrovic,” he said.

“Our focus is all about our plans, our philosophies, what we should do in each moment of the game.

“Last season, the results were a consequence of our performance. No one here has full focus just on scoring goals or not conceding goals. It’s about the collective things we do.”

Picture by Capital Football UK: Marco Silva