Olly assesses a frustrating afternoon at Craven Cottage

Marek Rodak: I’m giving him no blame for the penalty, the referee got that all wrong in my opinion, Sorba Thomas knew exactly what he was doing as he tipped the ball out of play before clattering into Rodak. His low score comes instead from Huddersfield’s opener, which, despite being struck with power from close range, I believe he should’ve done better as it squirmed through his body. Unfortunately, this is becoming a little too common. Whilst I think he’s a great keeper and our best option, I don’t think a game or two on the sidelines would do any harm and may help him recover some form. 4

Neco Williams: I was impressed with Neco on a number of occasions today, he worked tirelessly down the right hand side and did superbly to make an inch perfect slide tackle when it looked as though he’d been done for pace as Huddersfield threatened to break through on goal in the second half. He also made it 3 assists in his first 3 Championship games for Fulham, although it has to be said that this one was far from intentional. Areas for improvement are one on one defensively where he is often taken on too easily. His decision making going forwards was also questionable at times with a couple of wild shots today and some poor crosses into the keepers arms, it will be interesting to see if he retains the right back spot over Kenny Tete now he has returned. 6

Tosin Adarabioyo: Tosin made a few great tackles and interceptions throughout the game to prevent Huddersfield being more dangerous than they could’ve been but he was caught flat footed and looked too casual for Huddersfield’s opener, reacting too slowly to the situation. He was then beaten too easily down the left hand side in a situation which led to the penalty. 5

Tim Ream: Ream had a few heart in mouth moments today which wasn’t appreciated by the fans. A couple of poor passes put us on the back foot and he can count himself lucky that Huddersfield didn’t capitalise. 5

Antonee Robinson: It’s been a struggle to watch Robinson at times and yesterday was no different, he often does the hard work in getting past players with his speed very well but then can’t find the simple passes or crosses and it often results in us losing possession with him way out of position, luckily he’s generally quick enough to recover. His final product really needs some improvement and quickly, there’s a good player in there but simple mistakes need to be cut out. Looking at the build up to the opening goal, the initial attack came from a simple ball which Robinson failed to deal with as it floated over his head to Thomas, for me he has to be alert to the situation and drop back allowing him to win the header or at least be touch tight to Thomas. 4

Nathaniel Chalobah: I felt Chalobah made a promising start and showed his strength to keep possession as well as win it back but some sloppy passes and a lack of forward drive meant he wasn’t quite the catalyst that we need in there. He also contributed to the penalty decision as he dangled a leg aimlessly at the ball, directing it into Sorba Thomas’ path on the edge of the six yard box. I’m confident we’ll see Reed or Seri step back into that position on Wednesday. 4

Tom Cairney: Today wasn’t Cairney’s day and there’s no coincidence that on his off day the rest of the team also struggled. He’s been instrumental in the fluidity of this side and is constantly pulling the strings. Today though a couple of those strings seemed to be broken. He just couldn’t quite make things happen, a perfect example being in the first half where he picked the ball up in a position where we’ve so often seen him curl it into the top corner, he had space and time too. However, he chose to try and slip Carvalho through and his pass resulted in nothing but a Huddersfield goal kick. It wasn’t long until he picked the ball up in the same position again, this time he opted to shoot but placed it high and wide. He was also partly responsible for the Huddersfield opener as he stuck out his leg and failed to get the ball under control, instead directing it straight into the path of Danny Ward. 5

Fabio Carvalho: Carvalho so nearly added another assist and perhaps he should’ve done. At 0-0 he had a simple square ball to play to Mitrovic for a tap in, instead the ball was placed just too far in front of the striker, I think Carvalho should’ve done better here and judging by his reaction, he would agree. Overall he helped to make things happen again though, his low effort to the left of Nicholls almost brought us level and he continued to work well in congested areas of the pitch. 6

Harry Wilson: For large parts of the game Wilson was ineffective and he struggled to get into dangerous positions and make anything happen. He hasn’t been in form of late but hopefully with Cavaleiro now fit again and replacing him after 75 minutes he’ll step it up again starting on Wednesday night. 5

Bobby Decordova-Reid: My man of the match, not least because of the goal. I felt he worked hard and helped to open up the play from wide as well as dropping central and slightly deeper at times when Cairney was replaced. In particular he played a one-two with Wilson before spraying a beautiful through ball out wide to Neco whose cross so nearly found Mitrovic’s feet. The goal came from a misplaced shot from Neco Williams and was very well controlled by Decirdova-Reid before he calmly placed the ball beyond Nicholls. 7

Aleksandar Mitrovic: Things just wouldn’t go his way today. He was involved in some good build up play and made himself difficult to deal with but he just couldn’t quite get on the end of two balls across the six yard box which we’ve so often seen him tuck away this season. Mitrovic’s only notable effort was a great header which looked destined for the bottom corner before Nicholls denied him with a top drawer save. This was even more remarkable considering just moments earlier he was on the floor “injured” and receiving treatment, some shoddy play-acting and unfortunately the only person fooled was the ref. It didn’t stop him from going down 5 minutes later as well. 6

Substitutes:

Harrison Reed: Reed looked much more assured in the CDM role than Chalobah had done and we looked better with him on the pitch, I wouldn’t mind a midfield trio of him, Seri and Carvalho on Wednesday night as Cairney looked in need of a rest. 6

Neeskens Kebano: It was the first time Kebano wasn’t named in the starting XI since September and although Decordova-Reid did very well today, it did seem as though something was missing. As soon as Kebano came on we were having much more success getting balls in from the left hand side. This isn’t to say Decordova-Reid should be dropped and Marco Silva will definitely be having a few selection headaches. 6

Ivan Cavaleiro: Cavaleiro gave a good account of himself on his return to the first team following six months out injured. He whipped in a dangerous cross soon after coming on and if Boa-Morte and Silva can work the same magic on him that they have with Kebano then he can become a good option off the bench. 6