Can Slavisa Jokanovic restore Fulham back to the top flight?

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After the dismissal of Kit Symons, Fulham owner Shahid Khan took over a month in his decision to appoint a successor to the Welshman. After much deliberation, Mr Khan and the board of directors decided to appoint former Serbian international Slavisa Jokanovic as the new manager of the West London club, stating “Slavisa’s credentials and passion for the job rose to the top through every stage of this process.” On his appoint Jokanovic said “It is a great chance for me to work at a historical club.” After his first 3 games I think he knows has an immense job on his hands.

The former Watford manager led the club to Premiership promotion last season before leaving in the summer. He had quality in the shape of Troy Deeney, Ikechi Anya, Matej Vydra, Ben Watson, Heurelho Gomes and Odion Ighalo. A few of those players with Premier League and Championship experience. The trio of Deeney, Vydra and Ighalo in front of goal played a massive part in Watford’s season – managing 56 out of the 91 goals, including a 5-0 thrashing of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Jokanovic has a team with a mixture of experience and youthfulness. Fulham’s recruitment process during the summer saw players with both top flight and Championship experience being brought in the club; Andy Lonergan Richard Stearman, Jazz Richards, Tim Ream, Jamie O’Hara, Ben Pringle and Tom Cairney. However, of this list, one would only pick Cairney as adding any significant quality to the team.

Looking at the squad the Serb has to work with, apart from Alex Kacaniklic (at times his performances are poor), Moussa Dembélé and Ross McCormack, there really isn’t much quality elsewhere. McCormack is the only player to have managed double figures in the league so far, Dembélé isn’t too far behind with nine, but the next top scorer is Cauley Woodrow, with 4 goals.

After the club were served with a transfer ban, Jokanovic hasn’t got the luxury of adding to his squad during the January window. If the scenario arises and we find ourselves without McCormack for a lengthy period then more players will need to chip in regularly with goals.

The former Chelsea midfielder has another job on his hand, this should his number one priority; trying to find a balance between attack and defence that results in points (three points!) being picked up on a regular basis. He has to find his perfect starting 11. A solid back 5 who get the opportunity to play week in/week out to forge an understanding that’ll help to stop goals being conceded.

The Cottagers are the second top scorers in the league with 43 goals only Hull City who have grabbed more (44). But we are also the joint-second in terms of most goals conceded with 47 goals. Charlton top this unfortunate table with 53 goals. Looking over our results there’s only been three occasions during the league that we haven’t found the net. Jokanovic will need to address this problem – so far he has seen five goals in three games let in since he’s appoint. The defence has been quite leaky this season but a silver lining would be that we’ve managed to reduce the number of thrashings received this term.

As previously mentioned, Ross McCormack will need more support in the goal scoring charts. Along with thousands of other fans, I pray that our young and talented Frenchman, Dembélé isn’t tempted by offers from other clubs but if he were to leave them then we’d hope Matt Smith, Woodrow, Cairney and Kacaniklic all add to their goals tally.

A massive problem that faces us will be the interests in our players. Moussa Dembélé has been linked with Spurs, United, Roma, Juventus, City, Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace. Another young and talented player Emerson Hyndman is also attracting attention. Both players have their contracts expiring at the end of the season and it’s up to the new man to try convince them both that their futures lay in West London. Top scorer, McCormack has been subject to a bid from table toppers Middlesbrough. Losing your best player to a rival will hurt any team, especially a team that find themselves near the end of the table with only a couple of points separating them from the relegation zone.

I hope Slavisa is given time to bed his philosophy to the group of players. An optimistic fan would say hope for play-off place charge, exciting and fruitful winning streak and our best players still at the club. Unfortunately, I am more realistic. I hope our star players don’t leave, we manage to play good football, win some and lose some and at the end of the season we finish in a respectable position; so that during the summer we can really plan ahead and build a team that can take us back into the Premiership. “I believe in myself, the club and the people. I am ready for the challenge.” I believe in you too Slavisa, I BELIEVE.

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