A fuming Ray Lewington hit out at his sub-standard defence after watching the Whites lose ground in their push for the play-offs in a 2-1 defeat by Huddersfield Town at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Fulham manager was particularly perturbed by his side’s collapse from a winning position after they had made a bright start in this crucial contest. Chances were at a premium in a cagey first hour, but the Whites went in front when winger Clive Walker made no mistake from the penalty spot midway through the second half after Michael Cole had been brought down in the box.
But Fulham’s lead lasted only three minutes. Outstanding centre back Ken O’Doherty drew the Terriers level before striker Mike Cecere scored what proved to be the winner from Huddersfield’s very next attack after the home defence endured what Lewington described afterwards as ‘a minute of madness’. The Fulham boss revealed that he would be scouring the transfer market for an experienced defender after this damaging defeat.
Lewington admitted: “We lack anybody with true leadership in the back four who is prepared to open his mouth and make decisions – and until we get that person, we will always make mistakes. Having been given a penalty, we never seized the opportunity and we are never likely to do so at the moment. We have to get someone else into the club and quickly.”
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Thomas, Elkins, Marshall, Scott, Barnett, Wilson (Skinner 61), Walker, Cole (Gordon 76), Davies.
BOOKED: Scott, Wilson.
GOAL: Walker (pen 63).
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Hardwick; Trevitt, Hutchings, May, O’Doherty, Mitchell, O’Regan, Winter, Cecere, Maskell, Withe (Byrne 77).
GOALS: O’Doherty (66), Cecere (68).
ATTENDANCE: 4,081.
