Fulham manager Marco Silva has taken the positives from his side's Carabao Cup exit, insisting the team showed their true identity despite falling to defeat at Newcastle United.
Silva's Reaction to a Tough Defeat
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Silva acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture at St. James' Park. He stated his team reacted well to the challenge and were very competitive throughout the contest. The Portuguese coach emphasised that his players fought until the last minutes, a characteristic he clearly values highly.
Analysing the Performance
While proud of the effort, Silva provided a balanced analysis of the performance. He pointed out that the first half was better than the second for his side, and admitted the final result was tough to take. The loss means Fulham's journey in the Carabao Cup is over for this season, a disappointment for the club.
Building Blocks for Consistency
Looking beyond the result, the manager focused on the foundations being laid. He highlighted positive individual performances and, most importantly, the display of the team's footballing identity. Silva's key message was one of striving for improvement, stating the clear objective is to be more consistent throughout the entire game in future fixtures.
The reaction provides insight into Silva's mindset as he builds his project at Craven Cottage, using cup setbacks as learning experiences for the Premier League campaign.