Fulham manager Marco Silva knows Fulham must be prepared to match AFC Bournemouth’s ‘physicality’ when we meet at Vitality Stadium on Friday night.
The Cherries are unbeaten since their first game of the season, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, and when asked what he expects from them, Silva replied: “Very physical.
“And when I say physical side, not talking about the size of the team, [but] physical the way they approach, physical the way they challenge every single moment of the game.
“Strong, direct game, and the way they prepare and challenge second balls, they are really on it, and from that moment they are able to build their attacking moments with their speed and pace.
“I think it’s one of their characteristics, definitely. It’s a team that plays always face to face with any team, and they are always challenging games between us and them.”
Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in this fixture last season, and is enjoying a fruitful campaign again with four goals and two assists in his six matches so far.
But while Silva appreciates the forward’s qualities, he knows Bournemouth are much more than a one-man team.
“It's not just him,” he said. “If you look at the solutions they have in the frontline, it’s not just him. Of course, he's in a good moment. Last season was very good for him as well.
“He's a good example when I mentioned the physicality of the side. But I think they are much more than just Semenyo.
“They have good players all around the pitch and on the bench, and of course we have to be aware of them as a team, and not just one player.”