Fulham caretaker-manager Kit Symons was proud of his side’s performance against Blackburn Rovers yesterday, despite a seventh loss of the season.
The 1-0 home defeat inflicted by Jordan Rhodes’ goal left the Cottagers stranded at the bottom of the Championship, with one point from eight matches.
It was an improved showing though following the sacking of Felix Magath, and they did play more than half the game with 10 men following centre-back Shaun Hutchinson’s red card for a full-blooded challenge on Lee Williamson.
Symons said: “I said to the players I was proud of their performance.
“We had to change the shape a few times to get back in into it, it didn’t quite work, but I couldn’t ask for more.”
The game was typical of a side scrapping at the bottom, with few chances for either team.
Bryan Ruiz was handed his first start of the season, but struggled to get into the game and missed Fulham’s best chance.
The game changed in Blackburn’s favour, following Hutchinson’s moment of madness when, after a clumsy touch, the former Motherwell man dived in and caught Williamson to earn a straight red.
The severity of the tackle was not lost on Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer, who said: “Fortunately for us and for Lee, he has got lucky. There’s no break.”
The game was settled when former Manchester United midfielder Corry Evans’s shot fell to Rhodes, who tucked away the chance with ease.
Despite the loss, Symons was quick to point towards the positives.
He said: “Football is ultimately geared around results, but with performances and application like that, results will come.”
He reserved particular praise for captain Scott Parker.
“It was a real captain’s performance and he was inspirational at times,” he added.
Fulham have a rest from league football in midweek as they take on Doncaster in the League Cup on Tuesday, before travelling to Brighton in the league on Saturday.
Image courtesy of Fulham FC via YouTube, with thanks
