Talking Tactics: Silva searching for formula to get Fulham firing

Fulham's attack has yet to start firing on all cylinders.

Only four Premier League teams had scored fewer goals than the Cottagers — and it is not hard to work out why.

Marco Silva's side are struggling to adapt to the loss of talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic, who departed for Al-Hilal in the summer.

As the West Londoners prepare for a tough test at Tottenham tonight, we consider which of their strikers can solve the team's goalscoring issues.

Toiling Jimenez

Fulham failed to secure a big-budget replacement for Mitrovic in the previous transfer window but they did sign Wolves frontman Raul Jimenez for just £5.5million.

Though the 32-year-old had struggled to find his best form since suffering an horrific head injury back in 2020, there were hopes that a change of scene might reinvigorate his career.

Unfortunately, Jimenez has failed to find the net in seven Premier League matches this season, meaning he has not scored a top-flight goal since March 2022.

However, an xG of 1.26 suggests the striker may have been somewhat unfortunate, while he continues to score for Mexico on a regular basis.

A degree of patience may therefore see Fulham's No7 finally step up to the plate, as Silva has alluded to.

Speaking last month, he said: "He [Jimenez] is improving, he understands better what we want.

"He is playing because he is doing something right. He always gives his maximum, every single day."

Competition with Carlos

Fellow forward Carlos Vinicius has been pushing hard for a starting berth all season and he finally featured ahead of Jimenez as Fulham beat Sheffield United on Matchday 8.

The 28-year-old did not score in that game but has now struck twice this term, after registering against Luton and in the Carabao Cup third round victory over Norwich.

At 6ft 3in, he undoubtedly provides a significant physical presence in the final third, despite some doubts over his all-round skill set.

And Silva is clearly enjoying the competition for Fulham's central striking role.

Reflecting on September's 1-0 win against Luton, he said: "It was nice to see Carlos score and it was a very good week for him and he deserved the chance to come on.

"It is nice to see him being decisive in the game for us and competition between them [the strikers] is always important for us."

Wildcard option

Though he is not a traditional centre forward, there is a clamour for Bobby De Cordova-Reid to feature up front by some sections of the Fulham faithful.

After all, the 30-year-old has a higher Premier League xG than every other player at Craven Cottage (2.44) and is arguably the most confident finisher in Silva's squad.

He is also coming off the back of a successful international break, after finding the net for Jamaica against Grenada.

With a team-leading 11 shots to his name this term — and having scored against the Blades in Fulham's last outing — the versatile attacker may represent his side's best chance of securing a result against Spurs this evening.