How can Marco Silva make Fulham more effective against a low block

Saturday offered another display in a match whereby Fulham were unable to unlock a low block, something we’ve seen against many other opponents including Southampton this season. This has been an issue throughout the season and one we need to solve should we look to push up the table in the future.

The wingers

When playing against a team that has three centre-backs and two wing-backs, Marco Silva has often opted for similar wingers and similar line-ups in comparison to playing against four at the back, trusting the system. Although it should fill the fans with confidence that the manager has an effective system that he trusts, it is important to consider tweaks that could be made in order to effectively attack a different system.

Silva may be able to look at wingers including Ryan Sessegnon and Adama Traore; these wingers play on the side of their strongest foot, thereby attacking the wide areas with a direct nature and filling those holes that are created as wing-backs typically play further forward. Marco Silva often opts for wingers that play on the opposing side to their strongest foot, however, removing some of that direct nature within an attack.

Although Sessegnon and Traore may not present the same quality as Willian and Alex Iwobi, their direct nature may present different attributes that may break down the system and draw the centre-backs away from their position, creating space for Rodrigo Muniz to attack.

The strikers

In another, and a potentially very rare system change, these matches may present the opportunity to play Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz at the same time, occupying the centre-backs more centrally. The quality of Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi presented a monumental task for mostly Rodrigo Muniz to tackle himself and giving him help may help to break down the opposing system.

Should we opt for one striker against three centre-backs, then the attacking midfielder is expected to help to put pressure on the opposition defence, but this is unlikely to be as effective as they play further back and have additional responsibilities.

Conclusion

These tactical changes against low block and five defenders are very unlike Silva and so probably unlikely. But they do offer food for thought about utilising different players attributes in order to break down different systems, which is what Silva may be pondering following Saturday’s game and as we come closer to the end of the season.