Fulham 0-1 Wolves
It was fast, frantic, but ultimately fruitless – just like the two defeats that went before them.
Fulham need to wise up quickly or even the patience of the manager and owner will wear thin as they fast headed south, permanently.
Sure, this is mostly a young side on a learning curve. But the one-pace football, admirably in fifth gear, is easy to read for savvy outfits like Wolves.
When the ball moved forward everything was admirable until the last 20 yards and then got swallowed by a gold shirt with relish.
It was 53 minutes before sub Moussa Dembele tested the keeper with a low drive from outside the box – Fulham’s first effort on target.
A testing cross had Fulham keeper Jesse Joronen in a flap straight after, and with three Wolves lining up for an easy header, Matt Doherty contrived to head over an easy chance.
Ross McCormack, recalled to the starting line-up, came closest with a fierce drive that shaved the bar.
Sean Kavagnah’s first taste of the big time was soured by a yellow card after seven minutes for a foul on Rajiv van La Parra.
Bizarrely, Mark Fotheringham’s debut was marred the same way a minute later when he clattered into the back of Bakary Sako.
Keeper Jesse Joronen got a vital finger to a through ball to take it off the toe off van La Parra – but it was a momentary reprieve.
A clever corner routine involving a dummy allowed the ball to run to an unmarked Sako who lashed left-footed and low past Joronen from 12 yards.
Fulham lived dangerously from a clutch of Wolves corners aimed for the imposing Danny Baath at the far post, but the second half was a bit more end to end without further moving the bright new graphics on the electronic scoreboards.
Midfielder Pat Roberts lived up to his billing as one for the future, and the teenager finally got a start. But 30-year-old Fotheringham? Last stops Ross and Notts County? He was subbed in the second half after 50 minutes, and maybe there is better to come.
When Cameron Burgess upended Nouha Diko in the box with a minute left, it was the scene of a mass exodus by home fans. They missed a brilliant stop from the spot by Joronen, but it was a mere consolation.
Guessing the next Felix Magath line-up has become the game of choice in the Stevenage Road stand right now.
Guessing the style of play is easier.
4-4-2: Joronen; Hoogland, Bodurov, Burgess, Kavagnah (Williams); Roberts, Parker, Fotheringham (Dembele 50), Stafylidis; Woodrow (Rodallega 81), McCormack, subs not used: Bettinelli, Eisfeld, Hutchinson, Voser
