Am I the only one who didn't think it was that bad?

[Brawn]

It's difficult to know where to start, and this by no means attempting to make excuses here, but I seriously think the reaction to today's performance is very extreme. To hit the post three times and not go on to win is a case of bad luck going forward. Our defence was atrocious but we certainly deserved to get something out of the game and I thought we were the better team (other than in our own third). The change to 3-5-2 from Scotty really got us back in the game, and more than that Knockaert and Cavaleiro as wing backs was certainly a creative experiment which seemed to work. Mitrovic had one of those days where he really came into the game as he went on.

I think Scott reminds me of the Cookie or Kit days - very "meh". Changing him now won't change anything, really. My view on the whole Parker situation is it depends on what we want from the club. And frankly, football in general needs some more long-term planning. Why change the manager every five minutes? Because he's not perfect? And were you seriously expecting him to be Guardiola by now, less than a year in management? Rome wasn't built in a day. The time to discuss Parker is the end of the season if we lose in the play-offs.

If you think we're the best side in the league, that's delusional nonsense. At the back, or at DM, we are not good enough. I would have Blackett, Moore, and Miazga over Odoi and Ream. The opposition are allowed to play well, and Reading did. Their defenders did well and ours didn't. That's the difference between the two sides today. Our attack deserved to get more out of the game, our defenders were awful (Joe Bryan was given a 5.5 rating by WhoScored, which is dreadful). Simple as. You can't blame Parker for a combination of bad luck and individually bad defending.

[ron]

Having a defence that is not good enough, and not being clinical enough to turn massive possession into getting the ball between those posts instead of hitting them are all pointers to the fact that it really was bad.

I suggested sometime ago that it seemed that possession had become an end in itself at the club. Nothing has changed in that respect.

[SuffolkWhite]

Watched it on Fulham tv, and I felt they were fortunate with there first goal against the run of play. Second goal demostrated our poor defence. But to hit the woodwork 3 times and play generally better than them and lose is what it is, unfortunate.

[Sting of the North]

Having a defence that is not good enough, and not being clinical enough to turn massive possession into getting the ball between those posts instead of hitting them are all pointers to the fact that it really was bad.

I suggested sometime ago that it seemed that possession had become an end in itself at the club. Nothing has changed in that respect.

Disagree wholeheartedly. Especially lately it doesn't seem at all like possession is an end in itself. We created enough to win this game twice.

[ron]

Having a defence that is not good enough, and not being clinical enough to turn massive possession into getting the ball between those posts instead of hitting them are all pointers to the fact that it really was bad.

I suggested sometime ago that it seemed that possession had become an end in itself at the club. Nothing has changed in that respect.

Disagree wholeheartedly. Especially lately it doesn't seem at all like possession is an end in itself. We created enough to win this game twice.

.......but managed to lose it once.....

[davew]

Having a defence that is not good enough, and not being clinical enough to turn massive possession into getting the ball between those posts instead of hitting them are all pointers to the fact that it really was bad.

I suggested sometime ago that it seemed that possession had become an end in itself at the club. Nothing has changed in that respect.

Disagree wholeheartedly. Especially lately it doesn't seem at all like possession is an end in itself. We created enough to win this game twice.

I would have settled for us scoring twice!

[Luka]

When a shot hits the woodwork without any help from the opposition its a miss, a shot off target and its not unlucky.
When a keeper has a worldly, that's not one side being unlucky, thats a keeper having a great game.
We have a strong group of players, some players are better than others but it's still a strong group.
A good manager should be able to work these players into a cohesive, creative and galvanised division leading team.

[Woolly Mammoth]

It's difficult to know where to start, and this by no means attempting to make excuses here, but I seriously think the reaction to today's performance is very extreme. To hit the post three times and not go on to win is a case of bad luck going forward. Our defence was atrocious but we certainly deserved to get something out of the game and I thought we were the better team (other than in our own third). The change to 3-5-2 from Scotty really got us back in the game, and more than that Knockaert and Cavaleiro as wing backs was certainly a creative experiment which seemed to work. Mitrovic had one of those days where he really came into the game as he went on.

I think Scott reminds me of the Cookie or Kit days - very "meh". Changing him now won't change anything, really. My view on the whole Parker situation is it depends on what we want from the club. And frankly, football in general needs some more long-term planning. Why change the manager every five minutes? Because he's not perfect? And were you seriously expecting him to be Guardiola by now, less than a year in management? Rome wasn't built in a day. The time to discuss Parker is the end of the season if we lose in the play-offs.

If you think we're the best side in the league, that's delusional nonsense. At the back, or at DM, we are not good enough. I would have Blackett, Moore, and Miazga over Odoi and Ream. The opposition are allowed to play well, and Reading did. Their defenders did well and ours didn't. That's the difference between the two sides today. Our attack deserved to get more out of the game, our defenders were awful (Joe Bryan was given a 5.5 rating by WhoScored, which is dreadful). Simple as. You can't blame Parker for a combination of bad luck and individually bad defending.

I agree with most of what you say.
It is delusional to think that we have a great squad, we have not since the season started at Oakwell, plenty of signs and warnings that the defence needs strengthening with reinforcements. The defenders under Parker are the same players that experienced managers like Jokanovic and Raneiri could not coach into a better unit or individuals. Our squad has to be strengthened in the Window because it is not as good as some people think. Now that injuries and illness is kicking in, it is now even more than urgent to address this now as the recruitment unit has had plenty of time, assuming that they are not in a coma, and are actually aware of our predicament.

[filham]

A good post Brawn and I agree with what you say, fortune was not with us today. However we really should have scored more than one goal, Reading did with a lot les of the play and at the end of the match it is goals that count.

[Penfold]

I thought we started off OK. Their first goal definitely against the run of play. But oh so easy. After that, I thought it was really poor until they sat back after their second goal.

Not bad luck (despite the usual cack ref) but a lack of reaction to going behind (a fair few players looked at the ground hands on hips when we conceded). Time out for a couple of weeks.

[Facts Not Fiction]

Our defence isn't bad. It's being badly run. There's a difference.

Give good coaching to the back 4 today, it will work.

[joef]

It's difficult to know where to start, and this by no means attempting to make excuses here b, but I seriously think the reaction to today's performance is very extreme. To hit the post three times and not go on to win is a case of bad luck going forward. Our defence was atrocious but we certainly deserved to get something out of the game and I thought we were the better team (other than in our own third). The change to 3-5-2 from Scotty really got us back in the game, and more than that Knockaert and Cavaleiro as wing backs was certainly a creative experiment which seemed to work. Mitrovic had one of those days where he really came into the game as he went on.

I think Scott reminds me of the Cookie or Kit days - very "meh". Changing him now won't change anything, really. My view on the whole Parker situation is it depends on what we want from the club. And frankly, football in general needs some more long-term planning. Why change the manager every five minutes? Because he's not perfect? And were you seriously expecting him to be Guardiola by now, less than a year in management? Rome wasn't built in a day. The time to discuss Parker is the end of the season if we lose in the play-offs.

If you think we're the best side in the league, that's delusional nonsense. At the back, or at DM, we are not good enough. I would have Blackett, Moore, and Miazga over Odoi and Ream. The opposition are allowed to play well, and Reading did. Their defenders did well and ours didn't. That's the difference between the two sides today. Our attack deserved to get more out of the game, our defenders were awful (Joe Bryan was given a 5.5 rating by WhoScored, which is dreadful). Simple as. You can't blame Parker for a combination of bad luck and individually bad defending.

I agree with most of what you say.
It is delusional to think that we have a great squad, we have not since the season started at Oakwell, plenty of signs and warnings that the defence needs strengthening with reinforcements. The defenders under Parker are the same players that experienced managers like Jokanovic and Raneiri could not coach into a better unit or individuals. Our squad has to be strengthened in the Window because it is not as good as some people think. Now that injuries and illness is kicking in, it is now even more than urgent to address this now as the recruitment unit has had plenty of time, assuming that they are not in a coma, and are actually aware of our predicament.

' The defenders under Parker are the same players that experienced managers like Jokanovic and Raneiri could not coach into a better unit or individuals'... I think this is it in a nutshell. They are all OK players but their confidence in each other is shot. They have been a terrible defence for over a year now and they have to be changed. We need new players in these roles. Sad because I like each one individually but as a unit they are broken.

[@jolslover]

Our back 4 is better than Readings on paper .. Liam Moore being the only member of their back 4 that would get in our starting 11 - Readings keeper was class though and is probably the best in the league

[itombomb]

It was a better performance than some of our recent defeats, but defending was still horrible again.

And maybe it would be an idea not to have a gameplan with a large focus on Widthh and crossing when we have no one who can cross!

[Baszab]

Agree with OP - thought we played well and very unlucky not to score when hitting the woodwork 
Their first goal completely against the run of play
Individual mistakes at the back again
Crossing very poor today
Losing Reed Onomah and Cairney decimated the midfield
AK bit quiet - seems under  instructions not to shoot but always to play an easy ball

[Milo]

Good thread - agree with a lot of the points.

[Penfold]

Our back 4 is better than Readings on paper .. Liam Moore being the only member of their back 4 that would get in our starting 11 - Readings keeper was class though and is probably the best in the league

Problem is, it's played on a pitch, not on paper.

[ffc73]

In answer to the opening question, probably not.

IMO, not good enough & will be surprised if we make the playoffs. If we do, cannot see us winning the semi let alone the final

[AnOldBrownie]

In answer to the opening question, probably not.

IMO, not good enough & will be surprised if we make the playoffs. If we do, cannot see us winning the semi let alone the final

With a healthy starting 11 why can't you see Fulham beating any of the top 6 over two legs?  Inconsistent I get...but over two legs talent shines through.

Sent from my CMR-W19 using Tapatalk

[Sgt Fulham]

Unfortunately "not that bad" doesnt get you anywhere in this league. Reading at home needs to be 3 points. I know any team can beat any team in this league but we seem to make a habit of it. Stoke, Luton, Reading, Barnsley...

Parker out.