Tim Hoogland refuses to believe it was all doom-and-gloom in the 2-1 defeat at Ipswich on Saturday.

In fact, the rampaging German defender was a positive force on opening day as he converted to wing back when Whites had the ball while causing problems down the Ipswich left.

However, he believes Fulham lost their way after surrendering a cheap goal as Shaun Hutchinson was done for pace to allow Daryl Murphy to fire home inside debutant keeper Jesse Joronen’s near post.

Worse was to follow when sub David McGoldrick crashed home early in the second half, but the last 10 minutes was all Fulham once Hoogland chanced his luck and got rewarded via a deflection off Tommy Smith’s leg for 2-1.

Keeping up: Scott Parker shadows Ipswich's Jay Tabb (L)

But the Tractor Boys held out, although Hoogland insists the shape of things to come will produce results.

“We made two or three chances and we should have had a draw,” he said.

“After the first goal, we went a bit nervous, and lost our way. We played long balls like Ipswich and this is not the kind of football we wan’t to play.

“When we play the ball well between our rows, fast, it is hard to get the ball from us, and this is the type of football we have to play for 90 minutes.

“You could see in the last 10 minutes we had energy and spirit and the right preparation over the last six weeks, and I’m sure we will see it in the next games as well.”