Fulham manager Marco Silva has blamed his side’s growing injury list for their recent slump in form after they narrowly avoided an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League One strugglers Wycombe Wanderers.
The Premier League side needed a penalty shootout to progress after being held 1–1 in normal time, with former Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow scoring early for Wycombe before Josh King equalised in the second half. Goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte was the hero, saving three penalties to send the Cottagers through to the quarter-finals.
Silva admits performance “not good enough”
Speaking after the game, Silva told Sky Sports that while his team ultimately got the job done, the display fell far short of expectations.
“Of course, we knew our obligation was to be in the next round even though it’s not a word that should be in football because we know surprises happen in this competition if your approach is not serious enough. We didn’t play with the intensity we should have in the first half but we did after that, and we created seven or eight clear chances.” — Marco Silva, via Sky Sports
Silva said his side lacked sharpness early on but praised their response after the break, insisting the current struggles are linked to the club’s lengthy injury list rather than attitude or effort.
He added:
“We know the picture in our club, in our dressing room. We know the future is going to be better when we have players back, but we have to fight for this moment altogether. We aim high in these competitions. The team has been very competitive in all the cup games. With more players available, we will be much stronger.” — Marco Silva
Key absentees mounting for Fulham
Fulham went into the midweek tie missing several first-team regulars, including Rodrigo Muniz, Joachim Andersen, Harry Wilson, and Emile Smith Rowe. To make matters worse, striker Raúl Jiménez was forced off in the second half after suffering a knock.
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo Muniz | Hamstring | Out |
| Joachim Andersen | Calf | Out |
| Harry Wilson | Groin | Out |
| Emile Smith Rowe | Ankle | Out |
| Raúl Jiménez | Knock (assessment ongoing) | Doubtful |
source: club medical report – 28 October 2025
The absence of key attackers and senior defenders has forced Silva to rely on rotation players and youngsters, a situation he admitted has disrupted Fulham’s rhythm.
Fulham’s form a growing concern
The shootout win ended a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, but Silva acknowledged that confidence remains fragile.
“We were serious, but when you come off some bad results, you have to be positive and confident, but you feel something around and the first minutes of the game showed that. [Wycombe’s goal] was their only shot on target, and it was a goal we should’ve defended better.” — Marco Silva
Fulham currently sit just above the Premier League relegation zone and face Wolves next — a fixture that Silva described as “massive” in rebuilding momentum.
Silva’s message to fans
Silva closed his post-match interview with a rallying call to Fulham supporters, urging them to help turn Craven Cottage into a fortress again.
“The players have to be positive, we have to play well to boost confidence. The fans need to make the Cottage a fortress on Saturday.” — Marco Silva
The Fulham boss is hopeful that progress in the Carabao Cup will provide a much-needed lift ahead of a crucial run of league fixtures.
Our View
In our view, Fulham’s escape at Wycombe highlights the fine margins of their current situation. Silva’s side remain well-drilled but are clearly suffering from fatigue and a lack of attacking options. Without key players like Wilson and Muniz, their creativity and cutting edge have evaporated.
Still, Silva deserves credit for keeping the team competitive amid an injury crisis. The cup win might not have been pretty, but it could mark the psychological reset Fulham need before returning to league action.
Key Insights
- Fulham beat Wycombe on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the Carabao Cup.
- Marco Silva says injuries are the main cause of recent poor form.
- Lecomte saved three penalties to send Fulham into the quarter-finals.
- Several key players — including Muniz, Wilson, and Andersen — remain sidelined.
- Silva urges fans to back the team ahead of Wolves’ visit this weekend.
What’s Next
Fulham host Wolves in the Premier League on 1 November 2025. Victory would provide a crucial boost before a tough run of fixtures. For Silva, the hope is that his depleted squad can channel the spirit from their narrow cup escape into a turnaround in league form.
👉 Can Fulham use their Carabao Cup escape to kickstart their Premier League revival?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *