Marco Silva knows there is room for improvement, after Fulham drew 0-0 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
On an absolutely sweltering afternoon at Molineux, both team struggled to be at their fluid best, and were forced to share the points.
“It was a tough game for us, like we expected against a good side,” Silva said. “A team that we knew were playing their first Premier League match at home, we knew what type of atmosphere we would play against here, one that would push them further for sure.
“They wanted to win the game as it was their first game, playing against a team that was promoted as well, that was always their obligation.
“First half, our first press was not at the level it should be. They started to command the game as we failed a little bit with our first press.
“Their midfielders played without pressure the first 25 minutes and started to play inside our block, something we didn’t want.
“But they didn’t create many clear chances, maybe one each half or two in the second half.
“We controlled the game well more or less, but on the ball we have to do much better.”
He continued: “We have the capacity to do better. Of course it was a tough afternoon for both teams as it was very, very hot, [but] we were not dynamic enough with the ball.
“We want to use the ball quicker to utilise the spaces that we want to explore, and that was the thing that I took from the game, that we can clearly improve.
“But we showed very good organisation for the most part of the game, the togetherness, playing for each other, fighting for each other.
“In the last moments of the game we showed maturity as well, which was important.
“Clean sheet is always important to have as well, and we have to go again.”
Fulham had a chance to secure all three points in the latter stages when awarded a penalty, but Aleksandar Mitrović saw his effort saved.
That did nothing to dampen Silva’s faith in his number nine, though.
“Mitro knows that the next penalty will be there, the next penalty he will take, and the next penalty he will score,” he stated. “That is part of the game.
“Last week he had one and he scored, this afternoon he could be the moment for us to win the game, but okay, it’s part of our job.
“It’s part of Mitro’s job as well and we have to keep working with him. I will not miss, for sure, because I do not take penalties, but it’s part of the life of a football player.
“Next time he will score.”
