Fulham's 'repaired' defence a fallacy

Grey clouds dominated the scenery around Craven Cottage but Fulham's performance was the weather equivalent of a torrential rainstorm that began while walking without an umbrella.

It was low quality throughout, with the only goal of the match a prime example of why this would not enter the Premier League's Hall of Fame. With a penalty already missed, Henri Camara – the most impressive player – used his pace to force a comical error from the two Fulham defenders in front of him. His shot was powerful enough to hand Wigan a second consecutive win, their first away from home.

As a pessimistic Fulham fan, or in simpler terms, a Fulham fan, those that have praised the apparently reborn defence have not managed to pull the wool over these eyes. Ian Pearce has been the shining light, though. His fitness levels have been enhanced greatly over the close season, and that has been rewarded with a one-year contract extension.

But he and captain Zat Knight were torn to shreds in central defence by a team who were far more stimulated. Wigan utilised their height advantage and finer strength to expose Fulham's great deficiencies. The duo could not deal with Camara's extraordinary pace or Emile Heskey's elevation, nor the balls that were sprayed to each flank, allowing the wingers to run infield and cause consistent problems.

Liam Rosenior, in Chris Coleman's eyes, is playing well enough to keep Moritz Volz out of the right-back position but his passing was once again far from commendable in a relatively ineffective afternoon. Meanwhile Franck Queudrue was the main man at fault for the late winner: his poor attempted clearance was the gateway for a deserved victory.

Steed Malbranque scored the winner in last season's corresponding fixture, and his guile was missed terribly during a performance that lacked any inspiration. Luis Boa Morte's return – though only as a late substitute – scarcely altered the game, and it was only after the goal that the home side indicated why they were the original favourites for this clash.

Suddenly there was a frantic attempt to snatch a leveller, with Chris Kirkland forced into his only save of note.

The most common trait of Fulham's season to date is a slow start and the incredibly irritating obstinacy from the players that sees them only raise the tempo when the situation is dire – and this was the cause of their third defeat since August. Charges of inconsistency were accurately levelled throughout the preceding campaign, and although it is too early to say that it will be a feature this season, the symptoms were on exhibition to all.

There must have been a death wish from the Fulham players' perspective. Initially there was a failure to react to an ominous first half, with Coleman's maligned team-talks again failing to change the heavy tide at Fulham's goal. Then a moment when Wigan thought they had scored as the ball seemed to cross the line, followed quickly by yet another penalty giveaway – Knight with an arrogant elbow-ball which took the penalties conceded tally to no less than four, in 11 matches.

Yet the miss, despite the raucous cheering that ensued, failed to ignite a performance void of even a drop of petrol. Therefore, Wigan kept up their record of never having played out a 0-0 draw in the Premiership.

Is this simply a blip or the burst of the bubble formed on a mirage? That shampoo-formed bubble was created after the late bravado at St James' Park, the match in which Jimmy Bullard sustained his season-ending injury. His absence was not detrimental immediately, and even the five-week layoff of captain Boa Morte did not rock the ship. The latter has returned, but unless Fulham can string out results, Bullard's omission could be more destructive than ever feared, being a player who can generate something from nothing.

Fulham will continue to exasperate and lie in mediocrity – or at least my years at the Cottage have given me this unique sense of intuition. The points haul so far has been impressive, but a real opening to establish a place inside the top ten has been passed up. There is an immediate opportunity for reprieve with another home match on Saturday, but against in-form Everton. Nevertheless, a contest that was won last season and one that should represent a return to triumphant habits.

The final dampener that will be offered is this: on corresponding fixtures, Fulham are four points down from the 2005-06 campaign, despite sitting inside the top half. Apart from the games against Manchester United and Chelsea, the schedule has been kind. It does not mean that relegation is imminent or a top ten position by May is out of reach. However, it does denote home results will be essential and slip-ups at the Cottage must be infrequent, against the 'beatable' sides.

Reaching the magical segment of the table is an attainable objective, but not with performances akin to the one that triggered a defeat against lowly Wigan.