The mood of Cottagers supporters seems to be approaching mutinous - manager Kit Symons needs a positive result at the Valley on Sunday
On Tuesday night, as Fulham threw away every last shred of positivity and cohesion gained from their 4-0 thumping of QPR by tamely surrendering 0-3 to Wolves, a moment of clarity struck.
An oft-used football phrase popped into this writer’s head: Jekyll and Hyde.
And never had it seemed more apt.
Fulham had 51 per cent possession against QPR, 38 per cent against Wolves.
Seven shots on target on Friday, three on Tuesday. Four goals scored to three against.
After nine games in the Championship, they have three wins, two draws and four losses.
Almost as fluctuating as a team can get. No wonder they’re 13/2 to be relegated.
Manager Kit Symons argued after the game that midfielder Tom Cairney’s 35th-minute red card for a dangerous two-footed tackle changed the game.
But any fan there that night, Fulham or otherwise, could tell from the first whistle that his players looked bereft of desire or inspiration.
Much of the blame for that seems to be blowing back towards the manager.
Why can a team with talented players only appear motivated for the biggest games?
A mumbled post-match interview packed with clichés and excuses – “that’s sometimes how it goes”; “you’ve got to take it on the chin”; “we go again” – offers some idea of where the lack of consistent drive and passion from the players comes from.
Hence the wildly varying performances – and the mood among fans seems to be approaching mutinous very quickly once again.
What next for Fulham?
Well, luckily for Symons, another London derby looms as they travel the 15 miles east to the Valley to face Charlton Athletic.
With any luck, the self-motivation that derbies provide for players will go some way towards creating a Jekyll rather than Hyde performance.
Guy Luzon’s Addicks side sit three places below Fulham in the table, having surrendered a 1-0 away lead at Cardiff last time out, only to lose 2-1.
They’re winless in five, but then again Wolves were winless in three before Tuesday.
The question then becomes, who will show the greater desire?
Fulham could rise as high as ninth with a win or be leapfrogged by Charlton with a loss.
Both sides have had Jekyll and Hyde syndrome this season. Can either show off their best side and turn things around?
It will be tight, and the odds reflect that.
