Fulham boss Martin Jol admits they failed to compete in their defeat at Stoke City.
The manager said he had spoken to his players beforehand about Stoke's capacity to "bully" opponents, but stressed he was not about to criticise the home side's tactics.
Asked if he felt Fulham had allowed themselves to be bullied in the first half, Jol said: "Yes.
"We knew that and we said it before the game - they try to bully teams and they bullied us.
"You have to get them on the back foot and then play your football in their half."