Marco Silva explained that he does not expect games to be easy at this stage of the season as Fulham face both Arsenal and Bournemouth in consecutive clashes.
Marco Silva said he does not expect matches to be easy at this stage of the season as Fulham prepare to take on high-flying Arsenal and Bournemouth.
The Cottagers have put themselves back into the conversation to qualify for the European places for the first time since 2012 after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Ryan Sessegnon's first-half strike was enough to see them past Villa and into 10th place, with their first goal since March 21 in the process, to draw level on points with eighth-placed Chelsea.
Now, they must look ahead to fixtures against Arsenal, who sit top of the league and are locked into a desperately tight title challenge with Manchester City and Bournemouth, who have not lost in the Premier League since January 3.
Silva made it clear that he does not expect any easy games, no matter who you play, at this stage of the season and encouraged his players to take the challenge head on.
He told TNT Sports: “It is what it is, if you are here now, we do not expect easy games in this moment.
“Of course, we are going to be away against title contenders, it is what it is and after a massive game against Bournemouth again in this place [Craven Cottage] that we are very, very strong and you feel really at home and the fans, they have to play their part.
“Next week is going to be a big one for us against a top side and right now it is not the moment for us to fear, to be scared.
“Respect them, definitely, you have to respect all the teams you play against but to go there and to fight for the three points.”
One of Fulham’s big issues this season has been their lack of ability to win matches away from home.
Overall, they sit 17th in the away Premier League table, with just four wins from their 17 matches away from Craven Cottage.
Facing an Arsenal side who have lost just twice all season at the Emirates is hardly going to be an easy place to start.
But, with the Cottagers ranked sixth at home, picking up 32 points compared to their 16 on the road and winning 10 of their 17 home matches, Silva is hopeful his side can keep up that momentum.
They face Bournemouth who are solid home and away, with 16 draws and only seven defeats, fewer than everyone bar Arsenal and Manchester City.
Fulham also travel to Wolves, who have only won three times at home all season, before welcoming Newcastle, who are also dire away from home.
Fulham you feel will need to address their away form (they have not scored away from home since February 22) and beat Wolves but their home form is what Silva wants to draw on.
He said: “This season we have been slightly different, because if you look back, we have been very balanced home and away, even goals scored and conceded.
“This season is completely different because away from home, on the road, we have not been so strong like we normally are.
“But this place [Craven Cottage] is making the difference, we have another two games here, let’s hope we can keep the run at home but the two away games, they are going to have a big impact on the end of the season too.”