Fulham manager Marco Silva has insisted that his team, especially the defensive line led by Calvin Bassey, must move the ball quicker during build-up play, following their disappointing 2–1 defeat to Crystal Palace over the weekend.
Silva, visibly frustrated after the match, pointed out that Fulham’s slow progression from the back repeatedly allowed Palace to reorganize defensively and disrupt their attacking rhythm.
“We need to move the ball quicker from defence into midfield. When we build slowly, it affects the entire attacking phase,” he said.
The Portuguese coach explained that Bassey, as one of the leaders in the defensive structure, plays a key role in initiating transitions, but emphasized the need for sharper execution.
“Calvin and the rest of the defence must recognise moments to speed up the play. It helps us reach the attacking third in better positions,” Silva added.
Fulham struggled to break Palace’s pressure throughout the game, a problem Silva said stemmed from a lack of fluidity and poor timing in their circulation of the ball.
“Our game wasn’t fluid enough. We were too slow, too predictable, and that made it easier for Palace to defend,” he said.
Silva also expressed disappointment in the outcome, stressing that Fulham cannot afford to drop points in matches where they expect more from themselves.
“These are fixtures we should not be losing. We created good situations but lacked consistency and resilience at key moments,” he warned.
Despite the setback, Silva insisted the defeat must serve as a learning moment, especially for a team still trying to establish rhythm and identity this season.
“We have to improve our reaction under pressure and show more personality. The standards must be higher,” he emphasised.
The Fulham boss remains confident the squad has the quality to respond, but he expects immediate adjustments in training.
“We know where we must improve. The corrections will be made. The players understand the demands,” he concluded.
Silva’s message was clear: Fulham must be faster, braver, and more precise , starting from the back, if they want to avoid similar frustrations going forward.
