Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa thought Fulham were unfortunate to leave Craven Cottage empty handed against Crystal Palace, but acknowledged that improvements are needed at both ends of the pitch.
The Whites had 25 chances to our opponents' 10, but we twice surrendered a lead on our way to a 2-3 loss, with each of their goals coming from the left-wingback.
“I think we lost a game that we didn't deserve to lose,” he told the press afterwards. “I think we were the better team on the pitch, but at the end, in football, you need to take your chances, and they did better than us.
“We conceded very easy goals. Crystal Palace didn't need to do so many things to score three goals. For us, we have to do so many things if we want to score a goal.
Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline versus Crystal Palace
“We need to control the second balls, and some situations that we are very wide and very open. So, in this area, we need to improve for sure.
“They are easy situations to control, to control that goal that we concede, so it's not something that I am very worried [about], for sure. It was similar to some of Chelsea's goals, and we need to learn so quick, because when you concede a goal, the game could change.
“I think we were brave with the ball, we press so well, so high, we controlled the game, but if you are winning 2-1 at home, you cannot concede some counter-attacks and some situations that when you are winning, you cannot concede.”
The result means Fulham are still searching for our first points of the campaign, and even though the fixture list does not look kindly on us in the immediate future, Arbeloa remains confident the tide will turn.
“It’s three games, three losses, so it's difficult,” he admitted. “And now you are thinking that we have to go to Anfield, Manchester United coming to Craven Cottage, so you can see two very difficult games.
“Also, in the Carabao, we have to go to face West Ham United, so not easy, but we knew that this month was to be a very tough month, but I told my players this month will not define our entire season.
“I think they are working so hard. They are playing, like today, giving everything that they have, and with this mentality and with this character, I am sure that victories will come.”
A major positive from Saturday’s game was another virtuoso display from Josh King, who opened the scoring and made the second.
All of this was in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, so when asked if he believes the midfielder has a promising future at international level, Arbeloa replied: “Yeah, for sure, for sure. I told you in the first game against Chelsea – brilliant, massive player.
“Very good player, really young, but with a lot of talent, with a lot of personality, ambition. He has everything, so I am very happy for him because he is so important for us. He is scoring goals, he is very determined, so yes, I am very happy for him.