Sky Bet Championship: Kit Symons proud of Fulham players despite Blackburn loss

Caretaker manager Kit Symons was proud of his players despite Fulham's winless start to the Championship season stretching to an eighth match against Blackburn.

A disastrous start to the campaign led to the sacking of unpopular Felix Magath two days ago and the Under-21s manager taking charge of first-team duties for Rovers' visit to Craven Cottage on Saturday.

There was to be no change in fortunes, though, as Fulham fell to a 1-0 defeat as Jordan Rhodes struck in the second half of a much-improved performance.

Shaun Hutchinson's red card at the end of the first half tipped the balance in Rovers' favour in a match which left Symons with an overriding feeling of pride.

"I just said to the players in there I was very proud of the performance today," he said.

"There was nothing in the first half, 11 v 11, and even in the second half we put up a good performance and had a few chances to win the game or get back into it when they got the goal.

"We were very much in the game and it was a disciplined, resolute performance with 10 men.

"We had to change the shape and formation a few times to try and get us back into it, but it didn't quite work today.

"But I couldn't ask any more of the players. I am delighted with the performance overall.

"There is a lot of stuff we need to work on and I am going to be a busy boy in training, but the attitude and the response in the two days I've taken over has been brilliant from the boys.

"If we keep getting that, we will work our way up the league very soon."

Symons has made no secret of his desire to take Fulham job permanently but knows he has competition, with former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

"It's great, it is something I've always wanted to do," he said.

"I want the owner to pick the best person for the job because I love this football club and I want it do well, so we'll see."

Blackburn counterpart Gary Bowyer was pleased with his side's display in the difficult conditions brought by the ground swell of support behind Symons.

The Rovers manager was even more happy to report Lee Williamson avoided serious injury after the sickening first-half challenge from Hutchinson.

The Fulham defender received a straight red card for a tackle that saw the midfielder taken straight to hospital, but fortunately he has avoided a broken leg.

"Fortunately for us and for Lee, he has got lucky," Bowyer said. "There's no break.

"He has a lovely pattern down his leg so he will be badly bruised, that's for sure, but fortunately at this moment there's no break in it. We're delighted for him.

"Willo, I thought, was playing ever so well up until that point, but the main thing is that he has been able to limp out of here.

"It is one of them where the ball runs away from the lad, he has apologised and that's no problem."