Fulham club captain Tom Cairney has shared what manager Marco Silva said at half-time during their 3-1 win over Sheffield United yesterday.
Cairney was speaking to the club’s official website after playing a key role in one of Fulham’s goals.
It was a frustrating first half for those of us at Craven Cottage yesterday as Fulham produced a markedly improved performance on Monday’s defeat to Chelsea.
Marco Silva made three changes to the side, bringing in Alex Iwobi, Carlos Vinicius and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
The Jamaican international eventually opened the scoring in the second half but not before a testing spell in front of goal for the hosts.
Fulham created plenty of chances but each was spurned, with Willian the only player to string the palms of Wes Foderingham in goal.
Cairney has now shared what Silva told the Fulham team at half-time as they looked to avoid squandering a fantastic opportunity to earn three points.
The message clearly worked as De Cordova-Reid was joined on the score sheet by Willian and a Foderingham own goal that Cairney may struggle to claim.
Cairney shares Silva half-time message
Asked what the Portuguese coach said to the squad, Cairney said: “He kept saying you’re doing the right things, keep plugging away and don’t worry about the goals because if you do the right things the goals will come.
“That was his main message really to stay dynamic, stay forward-thinking and I think we did that, to be honest.”
Cairney made a very quick impact on the match when he replaced Andreas Pereira following Sheffield United’s equaliser.
Some good work from fellow substitute Calvin Bassey to win the ball high up the pitch meant the 32-year-old suddenly had time to shoot from 25 yards.
As he struck the ball with his normally spectacular left foot, he slipped with the ball looping up into the air, catching Foderingham off guard.
The ball cannoned off the crossbar onto the back of the Sheffield United goalkeeper before nestling in the back of the net.
Cairney can technically add it to his very short list of right-footed goals after striking the ball against his slipping standing foot.
The message of encouragement delivered by Silva at half-time worked for Cairney and his teammates.
The international break now gives the squad two days to prepare before facing high-flying Tottenham in North London, who will be seeking revenge for their Carabao Cup exit.