What our Wolves victory tells us about this Fulham side

Disciplined; clinical; masters of the dark arts. That’s what I want from an away performance. A dogged display resulting in three points. With all that said, points aren’t the only thing Marco’s men can take away from the Black Country. Here are some longer-term ‘Tuesday Night Takeaways.’

We possess an elite strike force

Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez have combined for 18 goals this season, an outstanding return for late February. The Brazilian’s all-round game on Tuesday showed us Fulham fans the attributes Muniz is adding to his game. Rodrigo was going toe to toe with all three imposing Wolves centre-halves, but his pace and movement to get Fulham’s winner is something that should put top-flight sides on notice.

Pace and power alongside a technical proficiency to make the ball stick as the focal point to the Whites’ attacks, it’s easy to see how the mentorship of Jiminez has affected Rodrigo’s game. Muniz has the attributes needed to go to the top, and the added elements we saw two nights ago just reinforce that.

I’d guarantee that Fulham will activate the year extension to Jimenez’s contract. Raul is the perfect senior pro to mentor and compete with Rodrigo Muniz. Don’t spend massive money on a position we are already adept at; go to Europe and get the wide creation and goal-scoring touch Fulham are screaming out for from out wide.

Back in the goals? Back on the wing?

What a moment. A first Fulham league start in almost six years was crowned by a composed finish inside the opening minute. But don’t let Ryan Sessegnon’s goal make you forget how impressive the Motspur Park prodigy’s all-round performance was on Tuesday.

Ryan was the only man on Fulham’s left-hand side, and Sess took up the mantle handily, being a constant thorn in Wolves’ side, slotting in numerous dangerous balls into the box, one of which Rodrigo Muniz probably should have buried, whilst also containing Nelson Semedo and Jean Richer Bellegarde defensively.

Sessegnon’s freedom to get forward on Tuesday reminded the Fulham faithful that Ryan’s best position is further up the left side, particularly a left wing role. With Marco Silva faced with a quasi-injury crisis on the wing, surely the prospect of one of our own being the primary wing option off the bench is a sensible suggestion, especially when you consider his ability to pin back opposing wingers with his tireless defensive acumen?

Has Pereira turned it round?

After being under the microscope after months of lacklustre performances. Since Andreas Pereira has been dropped from the starting XI, his three consecutive substitute appearances, alongside his start on Tuesday, have shown Andy P at his best once again.

Energetic and direct, while playing defence-splitting passes, even if Emile Smith Rowe is fit for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford, Andreas has done more than enough to start at his old stomping ground, and as one of his fiercest critics, that’s quite the achievement and a credit to him. Pereira maintaining the levels he has reached recently and in earlier periods in his FFC career would be instrumental in Fulham’s potential European push, as the creative spark Silva’s side is desperate for.

Rotated side? No problem

Fulham resting players for cup competition? It feels like 2010 all over again. Being able to make five changes, almost half your entire side, for a Premier League fixture and coming away with three points is a testament to the man management Marco has to keep all members of his squad onside and hungry to impress in Fulham colours.

I’d argue that, despite a mass of injuries in recent weeks, Silva still has 20 players that are truly Premier League standard at his disposal. Something that will prove instrumental in Fulham’s push down the stretch of this season, especially with progression in the cups, and, God willing, even more important in a European run next season.

Jorge Cuenca should be singled out for much praise, as once again, in his second English top-flight start, his first away at Anfield, the Spaniard stood out. Cuenca doesn’t fit the typical stereotype of a continental centre-back. Comfortable in possession and a colossus out of it, Jorge has it all to be a regular starter at a Premier League side, and if Calvin Bassey seeks a move away, it could be on the banks of the Thames.

Alongside Cuenca, Issa Diop continued his outstanding season, with a terrific display as part of a back three, bringing Fulham’s total of starting quality centre backs to four! As mentioned previously, Ryan ran the left side for 75 minutes, and I thought Willian put in another classy cameo, oozing quality at the ripe old age of 36. Willian was never going to be the long-term answer to the Cottagers’ lack of cutting edge, but the Brazilian adds an undoubted amount of class and experience that will be invaluable in a big few months for Fulham, especially if the Whites progress on Sunday evening.