Scott Parker pulled on the same pale grey blazer just in case the secret lie somewhere within its quilted panels.
He had worn it when his team produced the historic win at Liverpool on their previous outing but three Manchester City goals in 13 second-half minutes soon decoded the enigma of this new line in survival gear.
Not that Parker should sack the tailor. City can, of course, do this to any team when they fall into their groove.
Fulham’s confidence was high and with good reason. They have made great progress in recent weeks and Parker’s next challenge is to draw on their spirit to ensure this bruising defeat does not have a lasting impact.
His team have made up ground and have Brighton and Newcastle in their sights. They cannot afford to relax and feel sorry for themselves.
They face Leeds here on Friday and if they are to escape the drop they must quickly regroup and draw on the things they did well at Anfield and, at times, last night, because they opened with energy and purpose before being overwhelmed.
Parker, like some of his players, is finding his feet at this level. He stepped into the role as they slid out of the Premier League two years ago and won promotion in his first full season.
It has been a difficult campaign in many ways but he communicates well in public, connects to a fan-base unable to attend games and clearly gets his messages through to his players.
Under his leadership, they have generated a style and recaptured the Fulham identity lost when he took the reins from Claudio Ranieri. He has added humility and quiet resilience, hallmarks of his own playing career.
They have not scored enough goals and, ultimately, they could not keep City at bay. Areola made fine saves until resistance was broken by John Stones and the lead extended by Gabriel Jesus and a penalty from Sergio Aguero.
As Pep Guardiola sails on towards another title, Parker has to transform this painful reality check into some form motivation in the weeks ahead.
It may not be enough. Like the new Riverside Stand rising into the sky at their home by the Thames, Fulham are still under construction.
But they are taking shape, full of promise and have made progress from a standing start after promotion via the play-offs, and they will not go down without a fight.