Fulham manager Scott Parker rued another night that fell flat as his side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brentford on Thursday evening.
“It was a disappointing night,” Parker conceded. “We probably didn’t deserve anything out of the game, Brentford played well.”
“I thought first half it was a bit nip and tuck really, we had a couple of half-chances but finishing-wise we didn’t do too well, and they get their nose in front.”
The second half started brightly for Fulham after the introduction of Ademola Lookman who looked sharp. But it was Brentford who struck as the game was finely balanced on a knife-edge.
“I did feel at the start of the second half we played very well,” Parker said. “We had a couple of good chances, I felt like we were really in the ascendency and a goal needed to come, and then the first time they (Brentford) get a set-play the ball goes in the box and it’s 2-0.
“From there we were trying to chase the game a little bit. Obviously, the boy (Said Benrahma) shows a bit of quality with the goal as well.
“It was the fine margins of a football match tonight and we were on the wrong side of them.
With a tricky trip to Wolves on Sunday followed by an international break, there is no let-up for Parker in the schedule, which he explains.
“It’s been tough. We’ve not had much time since the (Play-Off) Final to be fair. Time has been scarce.
“But this is the predicament that we’re in. It is what it is, we need to understand that and quickly try and get as much work in as we can.
“Games are coming thick and fast but it’s all part and parcel of it. We can’t moan, we can’t whinge. That’s the hand we’ve been dealt, and we need to work out ways to improve.
“It’s a challenge. We’re in a transition phase at this moment which I always knew was going to be difficult, but the challenge is there for us all and it’s one I’m embracing, and the team are going to embrace as well – we’ll be okay.”