Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has admitted he’s still trying to get used to the new position he’s playing under Marco Silva.
Bassey was speaking to Capital Football after a gutting 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.
Calvin Bassey was starting his fourth match on the bounce after his summer move from Ajax.
Marco Silva hasn’t had to deal with too many injuries this season, but centre-back has become a problem area recently.
Tosin Adarabioyo hasn’t been fit enough to play all season, while Issa Diop picked up an injury in the build-up to Sheffield United’s goal last month.
It has meant that Calvin Bassey and Tim Ream are Fulham’s only fit senior players in this position.
Silva did hand Luc de Fougerolles a debut in the Carabao Cup last week to give Ream a break and he performed admirably.
But, Bassey has admitted that it’s taking him time to get used to playing on the right-hand side of a centre-back partnership.
The Nigerian international typically plays as either a left-back or a left-side centre-half.
His lack of experience in this role has told on several occasions already.
Fulham defender Bassey admits he’s improving in new position
Asked about his new role in the squad, Bassey said: “The Premier League’s one of the best leagues and when you make a mistake – like two mistakes in the Tottenham game, it’s two goals.
“But I just get better each time and I’m just happy that the manager still trusts me.
“I’m just trying to improve and get better each game. I just back myself really to give my best. It’s good here.
“The boys are top. As I’ve said before, it’s like a family, and we try to keep the family together.
“Of course, it’s different [in my new position]. With each game, I think it’s getting better you know – picking which passes to make, when to make them.
“Obviously when I’m opening up on my dominant side, it’s a bit less natural, so it’s about picking the times when to open up when to play the short one or go a bit longer.”
It’s encouraging for Fulham that Bassey thinks he’s already getting more used to his new position.
He was culpable for the goals conceded against Tottenham and did look slightly uncomfortable letting the ball run across onto his right foot.
However, he also wasn’t blessed with options on either occasion he gave the ball away.
Against Manchester United, Bassey played much better, reading the game really well and looking so comfortable in possession.
He did still give the ball away a few times trying to play out from the back, but on the whole, was provided more support by Timothy Castagne and Alex Iwobi.
Tosin and Diop will be getting closer to full fitness, but Bassey will almost certainly have another tough task to deal with at Villa Park on Sunday.