Marco Silva spoke about the challenge of competing against Newcastle United.
An aggressive, physical unit, the Toon finished fifth last year in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup. Yet, Fulham beat them 3-1 at home and 2-1 away, so they will fancy their chances.
If a victory is going to come their way, Silva knows that this history means very little. The Cottagers have seen fine margins go against them many times this season, so they must fight for every detail.
“It’s always very difficult place, but itis one of the most um beautiful play places to play football and to enjoy a football match 100%. It is a lovely place to enjoy a football match and a great challenge.
“They are going to test ourselves their team, their tactical behaviour. This is place where you feel that you are going to be tested by the fans as well because I really believe that they play a big part on the way they play. They are brave, aggressive and their fanbase and that stadium plays a big part on it.
“We need to stick with our plan and don’t change because the environment plays a a big part. That is the reason why you feel better at home than away. We have to focus on what’s happening in the pitch, take decisions every moment of the game and try to avoid as much as you can all that pressure.
“We have enough maturity and experience in our team um and we have to enjoy this type of moments even if they test you at your best level. You have to enjoy it if you are a football player, if you are a manager and we as a team we have to enjoy this type of challenge.
“Last season we were able to change completely the recent record of our club against Newcastle away. Last season we made the double with them and it was a great game for us there. The way we were losing the game and you turn it around from ourselves um and we are going to try to do the same to win the football match.
“They had a midweek game, but they did it very well. Great win for them the way they achieve it in a competition like Champions League. But Saturday is going to be a different one and we want to get back in a good in a good ways in terms of results and so this is another opportunity for us.”
