Fulham boss Martin Jol said inexperience and tiredness were factors in his side’s dramatic Europa League exit.
Baye Djiby Fall’s last-gasp goal for Odense meant Polish club Wisla Krakow went through at the expense of the Whites, who were 2-0 up at half-time.
The result brought an end to their 14-match run in the tournament, which began in June.
Jol said: “In the second half our best players were probably almost worn out. They were tired.
“It was probably the 30th game of the season for some of them, although that is not an excuse because we are a team that can defend a lead.”
Jol included a number of youngsters and fringe players because of injuries to the likes of Danny Murphy and Steve Sidwell.
His established performers were sorely missed in the second half, when Fulham lost their way after seeming in complete control.
Fall’s decisive goal came after Fulham lost the ball in Odense’s half and then switched off at the other end.
“Instead of keeping it in their half like I told them, we conceded a goal from a break,” said Jol.
“It’s about experience. Keep the ball there and we would have been fine. But we didn’t have the experience or the cleverness.”
This post was last modified on 17/12/2011