Fulham manager Marco Silva expects the topsy-turvy nature of the battle for European football to continue right until the end of the season.
Fulham dropped three places in the Premier League last weekend, with Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton all picking up positive results, while we were narrowly defeated at Aston Villa.
With three games to play, Silva knows that there are still plenty of potential twists and turns to come, with European football and a club-record Premier League points total still to fight for.
“15 days ago, we won against Southampton and our position in the table was a very good one,” Silva said. “Because the league is so competitive, we lost a game and the table looks much more difficult. The other teams are fighting hard as well, but one or two results changes the table completely again.
“I want our players to be excited and to play with the enthusiasm that this moment of the season demands and deserves. We have to be the first ones to control our emotions, but we have to have the enthusiasm to keep training hard every single day and to prepare ourselves as best as we can.
Marco Silva walks alongside Calvin Bassey in the tunnel at Villa Park
“To break the points record is something that is very important to us. We are not going to hide. Now we want to fight very, very hard to achieve the things that are there for us to achieve. When matchday comes, we have to perform at our best for the shirt. There are many things to fight for.”
“Nine points to play for – and this [v Everton] is another three points for us to fight for.”
Silva also touched on recent media speculation linking him with a move away from the Cottage. When asked on his future, the boss said: “About speculation, I will not go in that direction. I am completely focused on the club.
“Of course, there are always rumours, but what I can say to you right now is that my future is at Fulham Football Club next season.”