Marco Silva spoke about the qualities of the next opposition for Fulham, Sunderland.
The Black Cats clinched promotion with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the playoff final, and they have gone from strength to strength under Regis Le Bris. Before the international break, they became only the third club to take points off Premier League leaders Arsenal in a 2-2 draw.
The side sit in fourth spot in the table, and they continue to try to upset the odds. Silva will want a reaction from a 2-0 loss to Everton a fortnight ago, but he knows that it will not be easy to achieve.
“It’s about the quality they’ve been showing. [Sunderland] have done brilliantly the last few seasons to come from lower divisions up to the Premier League. I think back to the Semi-Finals of the Play-Offs last season, a late goal from a set-piece. If you look at this season, they’ve scored many late goals and set-pieces. One of the good things when you get promoted is you come up in a good mood.
“The mood, environment and good vibes are always there, and in football, good vibes and mood aren’t always decisive, but sometimes it can be that difference at the end of the match.
“They have quality, individual quality, with the money they’ve spent, but the reality is, clubs in the past have spent heavily in the market as well and haven’t been able to achieve. It’s a mix of everything; individual quality, a great job from the Manager, players with lots of experience. They deserve the position they’re in right now and it’s going to be a very good test for us.
“We know we are capable of doing much better than the last game and we have to prove our quality tomorrow at Craven Cottage.”
