The Tanner Report: Fulham 1 Huddersfield 2

Is there cause for concern after Fulham’s third defeat at home?

I read a post in one of the more incisive Fulham websites [www.hammy.com] that in 1982-83 season we had a 6 point lead over Leicester at this stage of the season but it was the Foxes who gained promotion.

Huddersfield came to the Cottage with an unbeaten run too – of 15 games.

They deserved their victory though Fulham could complain about the referee, Tony Harrington – as indeed coach Marco Silva did.

The  Terriers took the lead when Tom Cairney failed to clear, Danny Ward nipped in and Marek Rodak might have done better with his shot which went between his legs.

The lead increased when the referee awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Sorba Thomas by Rodak.

He went for the ball back first and Sorba Thomas fell over him.

I felt the penalty was harsh and that if they had VAR in the championship it would have been chalked off.

Bobby Decordova-Reid trapped a wayward shot (Fulham’s long distance shooting was from the start erratic) and placed the ball high into the net.

The key moment was when the ball clearly hit the hand of a Huddersfield defender but no penalty was awarded.

I do not subscribe to the view that the ref was biased against Fulham but he made two bad calls.

Fulham dominated possession but Huddersfield defended redoubtably especially Matty Pearson and keeper Lee Nicholls.

I can see changes made for Wednesday’s visit of Peterborough.

Jean Michel Seri, now back from the African Cup of Nations, may replace Tom Cairney, Kenny Tete Neco Williams, Harrison Reed for Nat Chalaboah and possibly Gazzaniga for Rodak.

Tactically Fulham played too many short corners – a daft ploy when you have the calibre of head masters like Alex Mitrovic and Tosin waiting in the box, both of whom have scored from direct corners.

To answer my original question, I believe we have enough points and superior goal difference to achieve promotion automatically. However, we cannot be complacent.