The Tanner Report: Fulham 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Fulham’s frustrations continue with a disappointing defeat – our third in the run in to a Midlands team (Derby and Coventry  being the other two) and so, with 2 games to go, we still need a point to be crowned champions.

Forest deserved their win as they were the side with the greater commitment.

Like Derby and Coventry they brought huge numbers of fans to the Cottage who gave vociferous support.

At one point Bournemouth, the only side that can overtake Fulham, were 3 down and Fulham only needed to better their result but the equaliser never came.

The Forest goal came from a shocking mix up between Tim Ream and Marek Rodak with Zinckernagel of Forest nipping between the two to score.

Fabio Carvalho had an immediate opportunity to equalise but Forest keeper Samba (the best I have seen in this division) saved well.

Alex Mitrovic should have added to his 40 goals but spent too much of the game complaining to and about the referee Stroud.

Only Jean Michel Seri could look back at the first half and be pleased with his performance.

In the second half we played better but over-elaborated in the box whilst Marek had to redeem for his error by making some important saves.

I was surprised that Kebano was not picked as he is a genuine winger with pace and in our last promotion season at this stage scored from free kicks which yesterday went begging.

Bitterly disappointed, I console myself that we should get that precious point in either of our last two games against Luton and Sheffield United and, unlike the last two promotions achieved in the play offs, we will have valuable extra time for recruitment.

Given the Cottage is a three-sided stadium with the new stand unfinished, it is perhaps unsurprising that Fulham have lost 5 games there.

Maximum credit should go to Marco Silva and not Scott Parker, who maintains it was his team for keeping Fulham at the top playing fluid passing football all season.