Scott Parker will tell you that the League Cup isn’t very high on his list of priorities – as evidenced by the ten changes for tonight’s trip to Hounslow – but an embarrassing defeat at the hands of their local rivals only served to heighten the sense of crisis engulfing Fulham. Brentford extracted a modicum of revenge for their Championship play-off final defeat at Wembley 58 days ago but the most worrying element of another frail capitulation for Parker would have been the lethargy of his second string.
Barring a fifteen minute period when Ademola Lookman’s arrival from the bench enlivened a ponderous performance, Fulham were horribly flat – a damning indictment of a side presumably selected to put pressure on Parker’s previously under par first teamers. Neeskens Kebano curled a free-kick against the top of David Raya’s near post, but the most dangerous of Fulham’s attacking moments came via the Spanish goalkeeper’s interventions. Raya, famously beaten by Joe Bryan’s Wembley free-kick, was fortunate to escape punishment for fouling Kebano after he attempted to clear the danger by the corner flag and then miskicked a clearance straight to Jean Michael Seri but Anthony Knockaert’s snapshot from the right angle of the penalty area flashed into the side netting.
The French winger’s next contribution was to play Seri into trouble with a hospital pass on the halfway line. Marcus Forss, who had handled in the box moments earlier to rule out an opening goal, showed far more desire to win the ball and Brentford quickly exploited oceans of space on the right wing. Iranian international Saman Ghoddos drove into the penalty area and cut out Maxime Le Marchand and Michael Hector with a cut back that Forss thumped past a helpless Rodak.
Parker sent on Lookman, signed on loan from RB Leipzig yesterday, and the ex-Everton winger briefly gave Fulham some dynamism in the final third. He immediately linked up impressively with Stefan Johansen down the left and pulled back a cross for Kebano, who was denied by a splendid save from Raya. Ola Aina, who looked rusty on his first Fulham appearance, sent a speculative shot wide before Lookman darted clear down the left flank and picked out Seri in the centre, only for the Ivorian to spoon a glorious chance over from ten yards out.
That miss proved pivotal. Brentford, peripheral in the second period until that point, doubled their lead three minutes later from a simple set play. Fulham’s defending was shambolic. Ethan Pinnock flicked a free-kick across the area and Said Benrahma, making his first start of the season after failing to agree a move away over the summer, strolled towards the loose ball to stroke home a simple finish. The Algerian winger’s second was altogether more magical as he fired an unerring finish into the far corner from 25 yards after embarrassing Hector with an outrageous Cryuff turn, but it still looked far too easy.
Parker had sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic in an attempt to present more of a formidable forward threat, but it was Brentford who looked more likely to add further goals. Rodak made a magnificent save to deny Emiliando Marcondes a fourth as time ticked by, but the hosts had long since done enough to reach the last eight for the first time in their history. It was hardly the sort of warm-up Parker would have envisaged for Sunday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is increasingly looking like a crunch fixture. With no new centre halves on the horizon, even picking up a first Premier League point of the campaign looks a tall order – and, regardless of how unfair it seems, the pressure will be mounting on the Fulham boss. That magical night at Wembley feels a long way away now.
BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Raya; Fosu, Thompson, Pinnock, Sorensen; DaSilva (Norgaard 69), Marcondes, Jensen; Benrahma (Stevens 80), Ghoddos (Canos 68), Forss. Subs (not used): Daniels, Jansson, Stevens, Toney.
BOOKED: Fosu, Jensen.
GOALS: Forss (37), Benrahma (62, 78).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Aina (Odoi 69), Robinson, Hector, Le Marchand; Johansen, Seri; Knockaert (Mitrovic 69), Kebano, Onomah (Lookman 45); Kamara. Subs (not used): Fabri, Bryan, Francois, Cairney.
BOOKED: Kamara, Johansen.
REFEREE: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).
What’s going on whole team looks flat . On the way where playing what’s the point of spending on CB. That won’t save us, we’re worst than last season. Not even giving anyone a game know fight looks like they don’t care. Save your money Mr Khan to get us out of Championship next season. When the fans maybe paying to watch
Embarrassing again…. Khan said we would kill to be a yo yo club…. But the fans ain’t happy with that… Sort it out Fulham ffs
Absolute Crap,
Cant believe any promoted team can be so bad. Will we get more than 10 points this year, at present I can’t see it.
At least this was basically the reserves…but….dear oh dear. The defending is shocking. Their best player doesnt even have his run tracked on a set piece!!! This is u12 Sunday League nonsense. If Parker turns this ship around and keeps us up it will be one of the biggest managerial achievements of all time. We are about to throw money at some desperate, unproven, foreign players that will make no real difference. Totally agree with save your money. Just buy talent that will be happy to play in the Championship. Anything else, at this stage, is probably a waste. I actually feel sorry for Parker.
Although a lot of second string players made up the Fulham team, it was really difficult to watch this. Against a Championship team, Parker set us up first half to play with zero attacking intent apart from a Kebano free kick that hit the woodwork. Knockaert was awful. Second half, however, with Lookman replacing Onomah-who had seemed to be ploughing through mud – so slow and ponderous was he-we started to show real attacking intent, finally.
The keeper made a brilliant stop from Kebano and Seri missed an absolute sitter. Unfortunately, with Knockaert unable to put a foot right and suffering an even worse time than in the first 45 minutes, the tempo did not last and, slowly but surely, our porous defence allowed Brentford to seal the victory.
I don’t like Seri’s too casual approach anyway but to play him in a cup tie against our local rivals was a recipe for disaster. Please do a deal with Galatasary as soon as possible and get rid of him.
We had our first glimpse of Aina but, unfortunately, judging him on tonight’s performance, he “aina “gonna cut it.
Robinson offered us signs that he is a decent signing but, with Joe Bryan ahead of him, that doesn’t really help us right now.
Lookman looks to have great skill and plays with intent but it appears that he will be stuck out wide rather than as a support to Mitrovic.
Hector was having his best game for a while-up until around the 60th minute.
Le Marchand -dear God!
As for the rest of the “squad” they emphasised that we have little quality in depth and certainly not for the Premiership battles ahead.
Definitely, things are not looking good right now. I hope and pray that T.Khan is close to bringing some true quality to re-galvanise the squad and give us a chance of survival
What a load of crap we must have more high and wide shots than any other team the players should spend all their time trying to hit the net as they couldn’t hit a cows ass with a banjo, as for the defenders I would refuse to pay them, the blame has to be laid on Tony Khan he should never have been given it in the first place he wouldn’t know a good player if he saw one he is a bloody joke and a bad one at that.
The real culprit , Tony Khan , is still amazingly, attracting defenders on TIFF tonight !!!
Brentfords second XI.
Too good for fulham
When was the last time Knockaert actually put a shot on target? Also can’t believe how useless Hector was. Lookman has to start on Sunday.
Should sell knockaert to Cardiff and seri too and I’d be happy. Ream and odi shipped 81 goals last time how could we even think we could stay up with that I love ream and odi but enough is enough MLM is not up to the job either bad signings last time cost us babel had to be the best signing in a very poor season. I think after last time we have to be favourites to go down unless the players pull their fingers out and step up…. Let’s face it they are all paid alot of money to represent the club they all should be ashamed and how comes each time we do well its followed by a bad season.
Keep Parker he deserves his chance but my be way out of his capabilities unfortunately…. But I’m not happy being a yo yo club how about everyone I’d settle for one place above the relegation places this season I’d love mid table
Andy, the most optimistic bookies have us still as 1/3 (odds on) to go down. Some bookies give us just a 20% chance of avoiding relegation. If we get out of this mess it will be an amazing effort. Our squad is stacked full of very good to average Championship players and at most 3 or 4 Premier League quality players. TK has not given Scott a real chance in my view. If Scott keeps us up he’ll be a Fulham legend for life. I hope all the bookies are wrong. If we’re going to have a chance then some major surgery on the squad is needed in the next few days.
Dave, your so right and totally agree with you.
Thing is like you I’ve been at the cottage on a Tuesday night playing Scarborough losing 3-1 and getting spanked at Leyton orient 5-0 in the autoglass trophy.
The younger generation of Fulham fans don’t remember how bad we used to be.
We need at least two centre backs and a proper striker to help mitro out up front becuase all its going to take is a injury suspension then who replaces him.
We are getting found out because like a lot of players they are to good for the championship but not good enough for the Premier league.
I just don’t want to go down without a fight this season.
I miss the types of players that would die for the shirt morgan Angus Blake cusack Moore and many more.
We could do with finding a gem like saha or Davis or malbranque.
I’ve been a Fulham supporter for 37 years I’ve seen some crap but also seen great days at the club we are Londons oldest club and we should be talking about giving it ago and not worrying about signing players.
Yes covid ain’t helped but look at man utd OK one of the worlds biggest clubs are struggling with the new style scouting of players and price but I think Tony Khan has shot us in the foot already by stating we won’t make the same mistakes which what standard of player these days can you bring quilaty in for 4-5 million.
And how will it all work out when the manager don’t want certain players.
But I’m always gonna remain hopeful because I love the club my first love is Fulham and I’d rather be in the championship with a chance of winning games then getting beat each week. But that’s the point we got to the Premier league stayed for years and was classed as a decent team but a few bad choices in manager and players and it ruins your chances very fine lines between winning in the Premier league and losing.
Bookies have payed out already and we are by far favourites to go down but we are a small London club thats proved people wrong for years.
I used to get the mick taken as all friends are either man utd arsenal Chelsea and spurs fans but I always said I don’t care I love my club so regardless how bad or good we do I’m always in love with my club.
And I agree 3-4 premiership class and it would be a amazing effort we will just have to have faith untill the fat lady sings