The Whites were punished in a 4-2 defeat at Derby County, which saw them slip out of the play-offs.
Fulham’s Neeskens Kebano in action with QPR’s Massimo Luongo
As the full time whistle blew at Pride Park and Fulham trudged off the pitch following a 4-2 defeat to Derby County, it became incredibly apparent as to why the Whites had fallen out the top six just days after entering it – their defence.
Derby ruthlessly exposed every glaring hole in Fulham’s back line, and but for a penalty miss by David Nugent – who himself scored a hattrick – the deficit could have been a lot worse for the Whites.
While Slavisa Jokanovic’s Fulham have played a superb brand of football at times this season, this isn’t the first time the Whites have been cut open in the Championship.
Bristol City beat them 4-0 earlier on in the campaign, while Wolverhampton Wanderers very recently put three past Jokanovic’s side – and going by last night’s action, perhaps teams are clocking onto this.
Fulham’s Scott Malone looks dejected at the end
With tough games to come against Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town, Brentford and then, crucially on the final day of the season, sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham can’t allow themselves to be so exposed like they were against Derby.
If they are, then the club will stay in the Championship next season, and there will be no play-offs – it’s that simple. It would be little surprise if defending was top of the list of things to do in training this week for Jokanovic’s side.
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