Frank and Silva give post-match reaction to Gtech clash that felt like going through the motions
Thomas Frank described Saturday's dull west London derby against Fulham as "marginally better" than last week's "boring" 1-0 defeat at Everton. But it was not saying much.
The Bees boss was honest enough to admit the game suffered through lack of quality and significance, even if the players showed plenty of willing. It looked destined to finish 0-0 long before the end.
"I think it was still clear, even if it was a not a 3-3, free-flowing, massive chances for both teams game, that it still meant a lot to the players," he said. "You could see that, because it was a local derby and you could see what it means for the fans.
"We just didn't have the cutting edge at both ends - for both teams offensively. After the problems we had conceding too many goals, I'm actually fairly happy with the defensive side of things. We gave away one big chance, I think, to Raul Jimenez on a transition, but besides that nothing much.
"It was the third-last game of the season and we lost a bit of energy because there was nothing to play for. I think it was a day when the front three didn't hit the heights but not only them, also others and sometimes that happens."
Ivan Toney's goalless run extends to 10 games after the blank. Asked if he thought his star striker was concerned by his apparent loss of form ahead of the Euro squad announcement, Frank said: "I haven't asked him about it, but I guess he's not overly happy, knowing Ivan.
"We had a spell where we didn't hit the highest level and I think everyone needs the team to click. It's not only down to the one player. He missed one or two games with injury. It happens sometimes. He'll come back, he's a good player."
Kristoffer Ajer went off after taking a bang on the nose. Mathias Jensen had a minor knock and was left out so as not to aggravate it, but would have played 'had it been a Champions League final' according to Frank.
Marco Silva also had little to get enthused about in his post-match assessment, although his feeling was that his side did most to win it.
"I think the team that created more chances, even if there were not many, was Fulham Football Cub," said the Fulham boss. "When you have the chances we created, you expect to win the match but unfortunately for us, the one thing that we can regret is the conclusions of the attacks.
"So many times when you arrive in dangerous areas [you want ] to be more clinical, to be more ruthless there with more calmness too, but even then I think we created enough to win the game.
"We controlled a tough attacking side with Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo and I think we kept them quiet. Our defensive organisation at set pieces we controlled really well. They are a physical side we controlled really well."
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