Sport

West London derby hammering part of a recurring theme for concerned Fulham boss Symons

Fulham 1-4 Brentford

Kit Symons admits he can’t put his finger on why Fulham are in such poor form after their heavy defeat to Brentford in the West London derby.

The loss was the Cottagers’ fourth in five games and only a surprise 2-0 victory over promotion-chasing Derby has kept them away from the relegation zone in that time.

However, Symons believes his side are playing well and can’t work out why they keep losing.

He said: “It’s a little bit of a recurring theme which is very frustrating, playing some good football, creating some good chances, being on top in games but then not making it count.

“When you get those situations in football you need to make it count and you need to get a goal.

“A lot of the time we seem to be chasing at the moment. It’s similar to the Leeds game, we played some good football and created some really great chances.”

The Cottagers were brought down by four great Brentford goals, Stuart Dallas opening proceedings with two stunning long-range efforts.

Ross McCormack pulled one back from the spot after new signing James Husband was brought down.

However, Brentford rallied back and a curling free kick from Alan Judge and a volley from Jota late on wrapped up a big win for the Bees.

Symons was impressed with the promotion-chasing visitors but felt the scoreline is a harsh reflection on his team’s performance.

He said: “Ultimately people just look at the scoreline at the end of the game, and 4-1 looks like a hammering but the actual fact of the matter is that it wasn’t.

“We were well in it but obviously didn’t get anything out of it.

“They’re a good side, Brentford, they’re playing very well, so we knew it was going to be a tough game but in both halves we had chances and we could very well, and probably should, have got something out of it but again we didn’t so it makes it very frustrating.”

Millwall’s 2-1 win over Charlton meant it was a particularly bad Friday for Fulham as they sunk further into the relegation battle.

They are still 20th but are now only seven points clear with six games left, so the games at home to fellow strugglers Wigan and Rotherham later this month will be crucial.

Symons is all to aware of the situation and the importance of the oncoming fixtures.

He said: “With Millwall winning it’s kept it very much open, still very much alive, we know we’ve got to go and do the job ourselves.

“I don’t want to sit around and rely on other people, I want us to go and get what we need.”

Related Articles