Tuesday Fulham Stuff (23/10/18)...

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Results

Monday
Arsenal	3 - 1	Leicester

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Slavisa Jokanovic fighting to keep Fulham job?

Fulham have reportedly decided to give Slavisa Jokanovic two matches to save his job at Craven Cottage.

Jokanovic guided Fulham to promotion to the Premier League last season but despite shelling out £100m on new players in the summer, the West Londoners have struggled on their return to the top flight.

According to The Mirror, a return of five points from nine matches and conceding 25 goals has resulted in the club's hierarchy contemplating a change in the dugout.

The report claims that Fulham must record a positive return from a home fixture against Bournemouth and a trip to fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.

Fulham currently sit in 18th place in the league standings after a 4-2 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/sack-race/news/jokanovic-fighting-to-keep-fulham-job_339267.html

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Fulham fans react on Twitter to Arsenal loanee Calum Chambers' performance

Fulham defender is struggling at Arsenal.

Fulham defender Calum Chambers had a game to forget at the weekend in the defeat to Cardiff.

The Arsenal loanee lined up at right-back for Fulham and was run ragged by Neil Warnock's side.

Chambers was eventually substituted with an injury and it was just as well, to spare his blushes from a woeful performance.

To be fair to Chambers, the entire Fulham defence was terrible, and manager Slavisa Jokanovic has big problems.

Chambers' performance though is worrying, especially in the bigger picture considering his fall from grace at Arsenal.

Arsenal paid £16 million to sign Chambers in 2014 and Arsene Wenger immediately put him into the starting XI.

In recent seasons Chambers fell out of favour and this is his second spell out on loan, with Unai Emery making clear he was not part of his first team plans this season.

Chambers' poor form shows Emery made a good move and Fulham fans are getting increasingly fed up with him.

Some have had enough already, and want him sent back to Arsenal.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/10/22/fulham-fans-react-on-twitter-to-arsenal-loanee-calum-chambers-pe/

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Fulham's decision to rush back Tom Cairney from injury is proving to be a harmful error

After Fulham slumped to an embarrassing 4-2 defeat in Cardiff on Saturday, much has been made of the club's terrible defensive status.

Yet one aspect of the squad that has been relatively overlooked is Fulham's midfield struggles, compounded by the ongoing absence of captain Tom Cairney.

Slavisa Jokanovic's decision to rush back Tom Cairney from injury against Everton in late September is proving to be an increasingly harmful error, denying the Whites the presence of their midfield metronome during the team's form crisis.

Injury worries have plagued Cairney all season, as the Scot limped off in the second half of Fulham's 4-2 victory against Burnley in late August. After missing three matches, Cairney was thrown into the fray in the closing stages at Goodison Park, but clearly looked off the pace and far from his usual self in his cameo appearance.

Frustratingly, Cairney appeared to have suffered a setback in his recovery and has been out of the squad for the last two matches against Arsenal and Cardiff. In Cairney's absence, Stefan Johansen has at times been forced to fill in central midfield— yet the Norwegian international is clearly far from Premier League quality.

Against Cardiff in particular, Fulham's typical possession style was a shambles, with shoddy passing and loose buildup play characteristic of the poor performance.

Evidently, Cairney's excellent technical ability and match management would shore up many of the mistakes seen in Fulham's recent dreadful run of form.

There was no need to substitute Cairney against Everton in a match that was essentially already lost, and the club clearly should have waited until the Scot was completely ready to return to first team action.

The error to rush back the captain is typical of Fulham's terrible start to the Premier League season— results and decision making must improve if the Whites hope to maintain their top flight status.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulhams-decision-to-rush-back-tom-cairney-from-injury-is-proving-to-be-a-harmful-error/

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On the brink Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic reportedly has two games to save his job

Just a few months after leading the London club to promotion, the Serbian could be shown the door

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has been given two matches to save his job, it is being reported.

The Premier League side lost 4-2 to Cardiff City at the weekend to make it one win in nine league games, but it also meant the team fell into the bottom three.

Fulham host Bournemouth and travel to Huddersfield Town and Liverpool in their three games before the next international break.

However, if they lose the first two, Jokanovic may not even be in charge for the trip to Merseyside, say The Times.

The Cottagers have conceded 12 goals in their last three league games and the 25 times overall is the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season.

Jokanovic was appointed in December 2015 and led them to promotion from the Championship with a play-off final win over Aston Villa in May.



https://talksport.com/football/436148/fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-two-games/

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The horrifying individual mistakes that are costing Fulham dear this season

Fulham are in 18th place having conceded 25 goals - and individual mistakes are occurring far too regularly

There aren't enough superlatives to describe Fulham's defending this season.

After a 4-2 humbling at the hands of Cardiff City, Slavisa Jokanovic's side are 18th in the table, just three points off the bottom, and have conceded the most amount of the goals in the Premier League by far this season, having shipped 25 already.

It is a shockingly poor stat from a terrible start to the season that has seen the pre-season optimism that signing £100million worth of players brings evaporate into nothingness.

Reports are now circulating that Jokanovic is in the firing line after his side's 6th loss of the season, with those defensive issues at the forefront of the club's hierarchy's concerns.

And while they are indeed worrying, the sheer volume of goals conceded that are down to individual errors is shocking.

Seasoned professionals seem unable to do even the most basic of things on the pitch, from clearing the ball to making tackles that even the most average amateur would make.

With 25 goals having been shipped by Fulham, I've looked back at their nine games so far and pinpointed EVERY individual mistake leading to a goal.

It wasn't pleasant viewing.

2-0 loss to Crystal Palace

1-0 - Calum Chambers
Fulham went into this game with a makeshift back five that had never played together before - and it told from the off, with their first goal conceded back in the top flight setting the tone for the rest of the season.

Calum Chambers, signed on loan from Arsenal, has endured a torrid start to his life at Craven Cottage and it was him who was at fault for the first Palace goal.

In the build-up, Kevin McDonald makes sure to alert Chambers to the presence of Schlupp, making sure his centre back is watching him and can combat any run he might make in the box.

Despite that, Chambers allows Schlupp to run off him and receive the ball, with the Fulham man too slow to react before Schlupp rifles the ball into the roof of the net.

2-0 - Fabri
The new goalkeeper's mistake meant that Fulham conceded their second of the season against Palace.

Wilfired Zaha was played through by his midfield, but was covered off eventually by a retreating Fulham backline on the edge of the 18-yard box.

However, Fabri had already made the decision to come 18 yards off his own line to meet the forward, resulting in Zaha tucking the ball underneath him to grab his first of the season.

3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur

1-0 - Jean-Michael Seri & Chambers
Fulham went a goal down at Wembley to Spurs through yet more mistakes, this from new signing Seri and Chambers once more.

In this instance, Seri is too slow to see the run of Christian Eriksen into the box and track it, allowing the Dane to pull the ball back into the box from the byline.

From there, Chambers' clearance is poor and only reaches the edge of the box, where it falls to Lucas Moura who finishes it superbly into the far corner.

4-2 win over Burnley

1-1 - Maxime Le Marchand
The Frenchman tries to play out from centre back and pass to his midfielders, but the pass is extremely poor and is intercepted, leading to Burnley breaking 3-on-2.

McDonald goes to meet Aaron Lennon who was driving into the box, leaving Denis Odoi with two defenders into the box, but the ball is played across and Odoi does well to get in front of the man, with Fabri coming out to support.

That, however, leaves the keeper out of position after the ball ricochets off Odoi, allowing Jeff Hendrick to put the ball in the net.

3-2 - Le Marchand once more

Burnley score from a corner here - originally Timothy Fosu-Mensah loses his man in the box meaning he can't contest the header, which is nodded across to the back post.

Le Marchand is the wrong side of James Tarkowski here and has no idea where his man is, letting the defender poke home.

2-2 draw with Brighton
2-1 - Le Marchand

Another poor pass from the Frenchman allows Brighton to break 3 vs 2, with the midfielders having to change direction to try and get back to support.

Odoi comes across to support Alfie Mawson in a 2 vs 1 situation, but that leaves Glenn Murray open down the left who is played in and eventually tucks home.

2-2 - Seri and Le Marchand
Fulham clear the corner to Seri and Le Marchand near the edge of the box, but the two don't communicate and put one another under pressure, resulting in a terrible up-and-under clearance that eventually leads to Aleksandar Mitrovic handling the ball in the area.

Murray scores the penalty.

3-0 defeat to Manchester City

1-0 - Seri
A woeful touch in the middle of the pitch from Seri after only 60 odd seconds sees Fernandinho nick the ball and launch a counter - something that is paramount to suicide against City.

It's a 3 vs 1 situation and the ball is eventually squared to Leroy Sane to tap home.

2-0 - Stefan Johansen
This time it's Johansen who is late to track a run into the box.

Bernardo Silva makes the run, but Johansen eventually gets back to meet him at the byline and shove the little midfielder into touch.

However, Silva reads it, rides the challenge and a quick turn on the byline exploits the gap left - the ball ricochets and David Silva reacts quickest to poke the ball home.

3-0 - Ryan Sessegnon/Cyrus Christie

Sessegnon, who had a good game at City, was caught out of position as the home side broke, letting David Silva play in Sergio Aguero down the left with the run of the park.

Odoi goes over to meet Aguero, but that leaves Raheem Sterling wide open four yards out from Fulham's goal.

Aguero eventually puts the goal across for the Englishman to tap in, but Christie was slow to get back here and was two yards off Sterling when the ball eventually came to him.

1-1 draw with Watford

1-0 - Most of the back four
This is one of the most shambolic goals Fulham have conceded all season long.

First, Mawson wins a header from a throw-in, but the header goes behind him and bounces off Chambers who is covering, with the ball falling to Will Hughes.

Seri tries to tackle him but it's a poor attempt and the Watford man breaks it fairly easily, leaving three Fulham defenders bunched within five yards of one another on the edge of the box.

Chambers then makes a mess of a tackle on the edge leaving Fulham dealing with a 3 vs 2 situation.

The ball is eventually played out right to Andre Gray who tucks home.

3-0 defeat to Everton

Penalty - Odoi and Tim Ream
The two Fulham centre backs are way too far apart, allowing Everton to slice them in two with a ball through the middle to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Odoi eventually gets back and makes a challenge on the Everton man that is called as a penalty.

1-0 - Sessegnon and Odoi
A great ball in between Sessegnon the centre back lets in the Everton right midfielder, who puts his ball into the box from the byline.

Odoi gets to it but it's another poor clearance that falls to Gylfi Sigurdsson, who scored a wonderful effort.

2-0 - Odoi
As Everton break, Cenk Tosun loses Odoi eight yards into the box, with Fulham's defender having no real idea where the striker is.

Christie is slow to get back here too - it's another situation where he's two yards away from the man at the back post that leads to a goal.

3-0 - Midfield
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa fails to recognise the danger down the right after Christie's charge forward, leading to Everton putting a ball down there for their winger to latch onto.

When he eventually pulls the ball back to the edge of the 18 yard box, both Christie Tom Cairney are still too far away from Sigurdsson to stop the strike.

5-1 defeat to Arsenal

1-0 Ream
Arsenal started off by exploiting the space in the middle and down the left.

When the ball is played in, Ream is way too tight to Alexandre Lacazette and is turned far too easily, allowing the Arsenal man to tuck the ball away.

2-1 Marcus Bettinelli
A long strike from over 20 yards out beats Bettinelli far too easily down to his right - the keeper should really do better to make the save.

4-1 Le Marchand
Aboubakar Kamara lets Hector Bellerin have way too much space down the right and he has all the time in the world to put the ball into the box.

Le Marchand is too tight to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and in what is a carbon copy of Lacazette's goal, he turns his man and puts the ball away.

4-2 defeat to Cardiff

1-1 Chambers
Chambers is caught way out of position and lets Cardiff break down their left, with Josh Murphy driving into the box and eventually sticking the ball into the net across Bettinelli.

There's question marks over whether the keeper can do better here?

2-1 Andre Schurrle and Ream
Fulham fail to clear a freekick and Schurrle runs into three Cardiff men, eventually losing the ball in a crowded area.

Ream is late to react to the ball through, with Josh Murphy latching onto it and slotting home.

3-2 Schurrle, Ream and Mawson
Schurrle's tracking back here is poor and it allows Cardiff to break down the right, getting a cross into Fulham's box.

They look like they have the numbers to deal with the danger, but Ream's botched clearance cuts the ball across the face of goal, where Callum Paterson gets in front of Mawson to tuck home into the bottom corner.

4-2 - Ream
Ream slips on the turn at half way and allows Cardiff to counter at a retreating Fulham defence.

They look like they deal it, but Odoi loses Kadeem Harris who gets in front of the defender to smash home the fourth.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/horrifying-individual-mistakes-costing-fulham-15310450

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Fulham are on course to concede 106 goals this season – here's how they can fix their defence
Slavisa Jokanovic has taken 'we'll score one more than you' to the Premier League - and struggled badly as a result

Fulham have found the transition from the Championship to the Premier League difficult, even with a £100m transfer outlay in the summer designed to ease the way.

While the purchases of Aleksandr Mitrovic, who has continued his exceptional form from his loan season last year, André Schurrle and Jean-Michaël Seri in particular have strengthened their attacking options, the defence is an issue for the west London side.

Sitting in 18th in the table, Fulham have scored 11 goals this season. The only other side to match this feat in the bottom half of the table is Leicester City, in 11th (14 goals).

However, at their current rate, Fulham are on course to concede 106 goals in the Premier League this season. It is true that they have already played Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal who account for 11 of their 25 goals conceded so far. However, with recent 3-0 and 4-2 losses to Everton and Cardiff, Fulham have found themselves questioning whether the issues run deeper than strong competition in the Premier League.



Indeed, reports this week suggested manager Slaviša Jokanović has only two league games to turn the ship around after their big summer investment. After a loss to Cardiff, it's hard to argue with the notion that upcoming matches against Bournemouth and Huddersfield are must-win fixtures.

Critics who argue Fulham didn't invest in defenders in the summer are misguided. Fulham bought Alfie Mawson (£15m), Joey Bryan (£6m), Fabri (£6m), Maxime Le Marchand (£4m) and defensive midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£23m) while bringing in Calum Chambers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, and Sergio Rico on loan. Nearly all performed well for their clubs last season and had strong reputations.

So what are the defensive issues at Fulham? And how can they be fixed?

Shipping goals
Fulham's defensive vulnerabilities are compounded by their attacking tactics. Jokanovic often encourages his wingbacks to press far forward and contribute to phases in the final third in an attacking 4-3-3. Combine this with centre-backs who are not the quickest and Fulham are exceptionally vulnerable on the counter. Many of the goals they have conceded this season have come from their opponents playing past the high press and running at a disorganised scramble defence.

In addition, they are vulnerable to balls played into the channels and through balls past their centre-backs. They have conceded six goals in this manner. Most importantly, Fulham do not react well to danger in the box, particularly in terms of clearing low crosses (see the highlights reel of their 5-1 loss to Arsenal). Of their 25 goals conceded in the Premier League thus far, 22 have come from inside the area.

Constant tinkering
The tactical decision to focus on attacking play, to the detriment of defensive stability, is compounded by the tinkering Jokanovic has taken with the back four. He is yet to field any defensive line twice this season, fielding nine defenders in a variety of roles. Ryan Sessegnon has played in attack and defence. Le Marchand has played left-back and centre-back. Denis Odoi has played centre-back and right-back. The most frequent starting centre-back pairings are Le Marchand and Chambers, and Mawson and Odoi – both pairings have only started twice. Put simply, most Premier League clubs should know their strongest centre-back pairing at nine matches in and be giving them consistent gametime to develop familiarity, especially if they are new signings. Jokanovic has ignored the importance of this entirely. It shows in the goals Fulham have conceded.

Lack of bite
In addition, Fulham are far too nice. While the club may have made their recent reputation playing silky football in the Championship, the manager needs to wake up to the harsh realities of the Premier League. If your defence has conceded 25 goals in nine matches, and has only received six yellow cards, they are too timid. Bar two penalties conceded against Brighton, one for an innocuous Mitrovic handball, the other for a gentle stab at the ball through a leg, Fulham have not risked much at all in the box. In fact they have been actively polite to attackers. The lack of urgency is also reflected in the statistics. Fulham's defenders generally lose more aerial battles than they win, and their tackle success rate can drift into mediocrity, especially for a defence that only averages 1.76 tackles per player per 90 mins.



Said simply, they stand off attackers too much, invite shots, and concede goals. At present, Fulham concede 17 shots per game in the Premier League – second only to Burnley and Brighton – and they concede them in much closer, more dangerous areas. The steps to fix these issues take time. Defensive organisation is bred on the training ground by drilling situational awareness, but picking a centre-back pairing and sticking with it would be a good start. Follow us on Facebook: @iPaperSport

Said simply, they stand off attackers too much, invite shots, and concede goals. At present, Fulham concede 17 shots per game in the Premier League – second only to Burnley and Brighton – and they concede them in much closer, more dangerous areas. The steps to fix these issues take time. Defensive organisation is bred on the training ground by drilling situational awareness, but picking a centre-back pairing and sticking with it would be a good start. Follow us on Facebook: @iPaperSport While attacking play for Fulham is also crucial (you cannot stay in the Premier League without scoring goals), they cannot keep committing men so far forward. This season has already shown the current crop of centre-backs cannot handle counterattacking situations effectively at this level, so wing-backs like Joe Bryan and Cyrus Christie need to be withheld a little to cover their defensive partners – no matter how effective their crosses are. This comes down to tactical restraint, something Jokanovic has never shown particular interest in, preferring an all-out attack mentality. If Fulham lose crucial upcoming league matches to Bournemouth and Huddersfield the club may choose to address its problems with a change in manager..



Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-tactics-slavisa-jokanovic-defence-goals-conceded-premier-league/

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no clue Danny Murphy slams Fulham's recruitment policy and urges Slavisa Jokanovic to change his philosophy

The Whites spent close to £100m over the summer but find themselves in the Premier League's bottom three after a poor start to the season

Danny Murphy has blasted Fulham's hierarchy, claiming the people in charge of recruitment have no idea what they're doing.

The Whites, who spent nearly £100m during the summer transfer window, slipped into the Premier League's bottom three over the weekend after a humbling 4-2 defeat to fellow strugglers Cardiff.

Fulham signed 12 new players after earning promotion to the top flight, including Andre Schurrle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jean Michael Seri.

Murphy questions the quality of his former club's summer additions, arguing they failed to acquire vital Premier League experience.

"Their recruitment needs a big, big question mark over it," Murphy told talkSPORT.

"Recruitment is everything. You can get good players from abroad, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. Who's doing the recruitment? Think about what you need.

"That Fulham squad that came up last year – hardly any of their players ever played in the Premier League. So what's your first thing, as a layman? Get some Premier League experience to help these lads.

"They put people in charge of recruitment who don't know. I see some of the players on the pitch and I think, honestly, who is watching these players? What criteria is being used? They can't be over a certain age because they've got to have 'sell-on', what a load of nonsense, because you make money from players keeping the club in the Premier League.

"£100m has not been well spent."



https://talksport.com/football/436204/danny-murphy-fulham-recruitment-slavisa-jokanovic/

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As Fulham struggle and leak goals, how much blame should Slavisa Jokanovic take for poor start?

We've taken a look at the key reasons behind Fulham's poor start and ask if the head coach can really take all the blame

Rumours are beginning to circulate that Slavisa Jokanovic has two games to save his Fulham career after the 4-2 defeat to Cardiff City in Wales.

That made it three defeats on the trot for the Cottagers, with the four goals they conceded adding to an already alarming goals against column, ensuring they kept their title as the Premier League's worst defence so far.

It's alarming to think that just five months ago, Jokanovic had achieved the club's aim of achieving promotion back to the Premier League, playing a style of football that was easy on the eyes and guaranteed goals.

Jokanovic's popularity was through the roof, and fans were looking at the young head coach as the man to lead them through their first Premier League campaign in four years.

But £100m, six defeats and 25 goals in their net later, Jokanovic is on the brink as Fulham struggle to become a fluid unit capable of keeping out the goals.

It's easy to point blame at a head coach, after all, he's the man that picks the players and formations and makes the substitutions during a game, but there are other things at work at Craven Cottage.

Mistakes from players, who have gone from looking calm, assured and measured on the ball to being nervous wrecks in this campaign, have not helped the head coach try and solve defensive issues.

There's also the fact that 12 new faces were signed in the summer, with nine of those coming between the end of July and the first game of the season on August 11.

No matter how good a player is, they will need time to settle, and bringing that many in with very little preparation time is never going to help matters.

We've taken a look at those three key areas here to explain why the poor start is not just solely down to Jokanovic.

Slavisa Jokanovic's team selections, substitutes and tactics

I want to start with Jokanovic.

Like I mentioned, only five months ago he was seen as the man to take Fulham into a new era in the Premier League, taking the campaign by storm with their attractive, attacking football.

But now, the calls for the head coach to go are growing louder and louder by the week.

It's not something I can back - anyone who regularly reads my stuff knows I'm a staunch Jokanovic supporter, still holding the opinion that, given time, he can turn things around and get Fulham firing.

That's not to say I'm naive, though.

Jokanovic has made mistakes this season as he looks to find solutions to the problems his side have encountered so early on to their life in the top flight.

His team choices at times have been questionable - playing four centre backs against Cardiff with Calum Chambers and Maxime Le Marchand in the full back roles was one of the more bizarre decisions I've seen him make, while it is indeed taking him a long time to find a settled back four as he swaps and changes.

Some of his substitutions have raised eyebrows too, bringing Tim Ream off against Arsenal essentially threw the game, while bringing off Jean-Michael Seri in Cardiff for Floyd Ayite took away a creative outlet and added very little as the Togo man struggled with the number 10 role.

He's struggled to find the consistency that Fulham had last season, one of their biggest strengths in getting them promoted, and as October starts to turn into November, that becomes concerning.

However, trying to build a well-drilled side capable of competing in the Premier League has been hampered on two other fronts.

Individual mistakes are costing the side

One of these, and it's something I touched on in depth in an earlier piece, is the sheer number of individual errors that Fulham are making this season.

While there is a lot of spotlight on Jokanovic at the moment, and rightly so, I feel that the players are escaping relatively unscathed from what has been an extremely poor start from the vast majority of them.

Players who have come to Fulham with big price tags and reputations and those that were so solid last season have so far failed to live up to the expectations that both of those situations bring.

Working on and coaching defensive structure in the week is important, but how can you account for a lapse of concentration from a player, or a slip at the back leading to a goal?

The fact is keeps happening, week-in, week-out, is a real worry and I think that Jokanovic has to do something to address that on the training pitches, but the amount of mistakes and the level the players are making is pathetic.

There's certainly questions to answer over why Fulham's players seem so nervous on the ball and look like they'll make mistakes, but some of the errors senior members of the playing side are making are schoolboy at best.

12 new faces coming so late in the window have slowed progress

Fulham's recruitment was ambitious, and Tony Khan delivered in bringing in a calibre of player capable of pushing the side to the next level.

The likes of Jean-Michael Seri, Alfie Mawson and the returning Aleksandar Mitrovic are all very good players that can help Fulham establish themselves in the Premier League.

However, I believe that having so many come in so late into pre-season has hindered their start to the season.

Fulham started their Premier League campaign on August 11 against Burnley, but in the 11 days before that, Fulham signed nine new players, with five of those coming on Deadline Day itself.

No matter how good those players are, no matter what they've done in the previous sides, that amount of turnover will affect them.

Let's not forget, it's not just those new players learning about Fulham and Jokanovic's tactics - he himself has to learn about them and where they can fit into his team, such is the club's recruitment process.

Fulham went into the first game of the season with a new back five which had had no time to drill on how Jokanovic wants them to play - something that I feel is crazy.

And even now, towards the end of October, those players are still getting to grips with a new club and tactics, while it's clear that Jokanovic is still learning about the best way to use the players he has.

To part ways with him now, in my opinion, would do nothing to solve the defensive issues the club has.

It would be starting from scratch with a new coach who would have new ideas on how he wants the side to play football, where what the club really needs right now is consistency.

Jokanovic is learning the Premier League, as are the majority of his players - he needs to be given the time by the club to turn the players he's been given into a side capable of competing, which I believe they are.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-struggle-leak-goals-how-15311064

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Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic set for crunch talks with Shahid Khan after another meek surrender

Slavisa Jokanovic will hold crunch talks with Fulham owner Shahid Khan in London this week.

Jokanovic is under growing pressure after the club dropped into the relegation zone, following their 4-2 defeat at Cardiff on Saturday.

The Serb's position is becoming increasingly precarious and he will meet Khan ahead of two crucial matches in which he needs to prove  he is the man to turn things around.

Khan, who last week pulled out of his £600million bid to buy Wembley, is in the capital this week to watch his NFL side, Jacksonville Jaguars, play at Wembley on Sunday. His visit has been planned for months, but the American billionaire will want to see evidence  that Jokanovic can improve his football club's fortunes while in the capital.

Fulham play Bournemouth and Huddersfield in their next two Premier League matches and those fixtures could decide Jokanovic's future.

Khan will be at Craven Cottage for the Bournemouth game on Saturday and Jokanovic needs to show he can stop Fulham leaking goals in front of the watching owner.

The west Londoners have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 25 goals in nine matches, and there are growing concerns that they are too open.

Jokanovic has been criticised for not adapting their attractive, possession-based football to cope with the step up in level from the Championship since their promotion.

Fulham spent £100m on 12 new signings in the summer but they have managed just one League win and are showing no signs they are improving defensively.

Jokanovic guided Fulham to promotion via the play-offs last season and the club opened talks with the 50-year-old about extending his contract. But an agreement was not reached over the summer and that leaves the Serb in a precarious position, with under a year remaining on his deal. However, he  has had a good relationship with Khan during his three years in charge and the Fulham hierarchy have backed him to put things right.

The primary focus of his talks with Khan is likely to be how Fulham will plug their leaky defence.

Fulham let in five goals against Arsenal in their last match before the international break and conceding four to Cardiff has set alarm bells ringing.

Cardiff had scored four goals in eight matches before the weekend but doubled their tally for the season as Fulham collapsed.

Asked if he is the right man to turn things around, Jokanovic said: "I am only thinking about the next game. This is my job. I must keep going. We are frustrated after this kind of defeat. We were not strong enough in our box. They scored easy goals. Even when we defend in numbers, they scored. We have to find a solution."

Andre Schurrle had given Fulham an early lead with 30-yard strike, but their defensive frailties continued to be exposed by Neil Warnock's side.

Schurrle said: "It is now a pattern for us in every game. We have good moments and we score and get in front. But it doesn't take us long to get a knock on the head and we concede a goal.

"It is a big concern, for sure. We know that, the manager knows it and the players know it. It is the same thing every week and the goals are too easy for the opponents."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-set-for-crunch-talks-with-shahid-khan-after-another-meek-surrender-a3968176.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Slavisa Jokanovic is still the right man for the job at Fulham

Modern football is a fickle business and it was inevitable after Fulham's devastating 4-2 loss to Cardiff that questions would start to be asked of Slavisa Jokanovic.

Nevertheless, the Fulham manager is still the right man for the job at Fulham and chairman Shahid Khan would be foolish to sack the Serb.

Fulham supporters know all too well the perils of sacking a manager in the Premier League. The 2013/14 campaign brought three separate managers to Craven Cottage, with each departure and arrival adding more inconsistency and chaos to the club.

Jokanovic has undoubtedly made mistakes in his first months as a top flight manager, evidenced by his baffling substitution of Floyd Ayite against Cardiff. Yet one must consider the difficult circumstances he has been dealt, including the massive injury crisis that has hit Fulham.

With three of last season's solid back four departing in the summer (Matt Targett, Tomas Kalas, and Ryan Fredericks), it was always going to be difficult to shore up the defence. Yet injuries to Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson, Joe Bryan, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have all severely limited Jokanovic's team selection options.

Indeed, the manager is partially to blame for the Cottagers' leaky backline, but choosing between Calum Chambers and Cyrus Christie in the right back position is a dreadful position that no manager should be ever placed in.

Despite Jokanovic's early errors, Fulham's struggles can mainly be attributed to a newly-promoted side taking time to solidify after a busy summer. Sacking the Serbian would be a grave mistake, constituting a knee-jerk reaction that would only plunge Fulham into further disarray.

Slavisa Jokanovic is still the right man to turn around Fulham's misfortunes and he deserves time to implement his successful philosophy on a largely new team at Craven Cottage.



https://tbrfootball.com/why-slavisa-jokanovic-is-still-the-right-man-for-the-job-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic not given Fulham ultimatum, according to Sky sources

Slavisa Jokanovic has not been handed an ultimatum or time frame to save his job at Fulham, according to Sky sources.

Media reports had claimed Jokanovic had just two games to save his job at Fulham after the club dropped into the Premier League relegation places, following Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Cardiff.

Jokanovic's position was thought to be precarious with Fulham owner Shahid Khan reported to be ready to hold crunch talks with the Serbian in London this week.

However, Sky Sports News understand the Fulham boss has not been handed any ultimatum by Khan, and no time frame has been put in place by the club's board.

Jokanovic insisted after the loss at Cardiff - a defeat which meant they have gone six league games without a win - that he was the best man to turn things around at Craven Cottage.

"I can find the solution," he said. "My job is to keep working and fighting to find the solution.

"Last year people were against us, but we found a way to improve ourselves and be more competitive. We showed some positive things, but the negative things are killing us. I will keep going and keep working for my best XI."

Fulham's next two league games are against Bournemouth and Huddersfield with a Carabao Cup match against Manchester City sandwiched in the middle.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11532489/slavisa-jokanovic-not-given-fulham-ultimatum-according-to-sky-sources

[WhiteJC]

 
How do you solve a problem like Fulham?

There was a sense of inevitability about the result at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Another promising half-time scoreline turned into a concerning full-time result, with defensive frailties once again in the spotlight.

Social media is inundated with concerned Fulham fans, questioning manager Slavisa Jokanovic's tactical decisions, wondering if the squad assembled by Khan and co. is good enough for the Premier League, and discussing potential replacements in the newly refurbished Fulham dugout.

Some of these concerns obviously need addressing.

If Fulham continue to concede goals at the current rate that they have done this season, they'll end up with a 'Goals Against' column reading 106, a figure that would almost certainly guarantee relegation.

A key part of the problem is the lack of consistency at the back for the Cottagers, with nine different back lines turning out in their nine league games thus far:

CRYSTAL PALACE (H) – Christie, Chambers, Le Marchand, Bryan

SPURS (A) – Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, Le Marchand, Bryan (Christie)

BURNLEY (H) – Fosu-Mensah, Odoi, Le Marchand, Bryan (Chambers)

BRIGHTON (A) – Fosu-Mensah, Odoi, Mawson, Le Marchand

MAN CITY (A) – Christie, Odoi, Mawson, Sessegnon

WATFORD (H) – Fosu-Mensah, Mawson (Odoi), Chambers, Sessegnon

EVERTON (A) – Fosu-Mensah (Christie), Odoi, Ream, Bryan

ARSENAL (H) – Christie, Odoi, Ream (McDonald), Le Marchand, Sessegnon

CARDIFF (A) – Chambers (Mawson), Odoi, Ream, Le Marchand

Ultimately, Fulham's dire defensive record is undermining a side who offensively are producing performances that would more than likely be enough to keep a lower-mid table team in the Premier League this season.

However, to lay the blame completely at Jokanovic's feet would be harsh. The number of individual errors leading to goals already this season is worrying, with almost every player to have appeared in Fulham's defence responsible for at least one of those errors.

The Cottagers back five didn't look particularly vulnerable in their only league outing in that formation against Arsenal. It was only when Tim Ream was replaced for an extra midfielder that the floodgates opened, as Christie and Sessegnon continued to sit further upfield than traditional full-backs normally would, allowing Arsenal to overwhelm Odoi and Le Marchand on the counter-attack on numerous occasions.

The goalkeeper question is something that has been a prominent issue this season, with Jokanovic faced with the weekly headache of trying to choose between three stoppers who will have all gone into the season believing they were first choice.

Brought in from Besiktas, Fabri was the Serb's original number one, however an error in Fulham's opening game against Crystal Palace leading to Wilfried Zaha's goal, and conceding three against Spurs at Wembley has seen Fabri go from first choice to third within the space of a month.

Marcus Bettinelli was the man tasked with taking his place and has made seven league appearances so far, earning him two call-ups to Gareth Southgate's England squad. Bettinelli's superior distribution meant he got the nod over David Button last season, but Betts has struggled to make the same impact this year, and is currently picking the ball out of his own net three times a match on average this season.

The third choice is on-loan Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico. Rico fell out of favour at the Pizjuan towards the end of last season, and arrived at Craven Cottage hoping to secure some first team football, however his opportunities have been limited to Carabao Cup games thus far. Rico has two Europa League titles under his belt in his career thus far, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Spaniard given the nod against Bournemouth on Saturday.

There are some underlying defensive issues that Fulham have struggled with throughout Jokanovic's era. Tim Ream's performance against Cardiff may be the low point for the American in his Fulham career, but the centre backs incredible season in 2017-18 papered over some of the cracks in Fulham's defensive performances. Ream frequently made last ditch blocks and tackles to prevent certain goals in Fulham's 23 match unbeaten run, and duly won the Fans Player of the Season award as a result.

With the additions of Calum Chambers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Alfie Mawson around him – all players with prior Premier League experience – and Maxime Le Marchand from Nice, Ream should be the man organising Fulham's defensive efforts as well as co-ordinating their build up play from the back, but a combination of injuries and a lack of confidence are providing Jokanovic with an issue he previously hasn't had to solve.

Kevin McDonald was also an integral part of Fulham's success last season, and although his defensive performances were eye-catching, his importance when Fulham had the ball was somewhat underplayed. McDonald would frequently split the centre backs and carry the ball forward in order to create space for Cairney and Johansen around him to try and open up defences, however the Premier League has thus far proved too high a step up for the Scot, who has looked sluggish on the ball at times and not provided the same level of defensive shielding.

His replacement, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, has looked lackadaisical on the ball and although he is clearly technically gifted, hasn't bought into Fulham's system. If Anguissa can combine with Jean-Michael Seri and Tom Cairney when he's fit, Fulham may have a midfield good enough to keep them up. However, more defensive discipline is needed, with Fulham's fragile defence too often left open to counter attacks.

But, it could be worse...

Of the eight teams currently still on less than ten points, Fulham have outscored all of them, and have only played three of their seven potential relegation rivals. Aleksandar Mitrovic may be well known for his physical attributes, but the Serbian striker is more than capable of playing with the ball at this feet, and in Andre Schurrle, Fulham have brought in a winger who isn't afraid to shoot and has already chipped in with three goals. Loan signing Luciano Vietto has also proved a handy addition, his four assists and impressive work rate justifying Jokanovic starting the Argentine ahead of the much heralded Ryan Sessegnon at times.

Ryan Sessegnon has unsurprisingly not set the Premier League alight the same way the left-sided player did in the Championship last season. Sessegnon's goal tally and appearance record last season was impressive, but his decision to stay put and continue to develop for another season down by the river Thames looks to have been a justified one.

So, how do Fulham fix this? History suggests that giving Jokanovic is the most effective way to improve results. The Serbs post-Christmas record managing English clubs is phenomenal, and although Fulham's unbeaten run last season is unlikely to be repeated, he went on similar runs the season before and when he led Watford to the Premier League in 2015.

However, Jokanovic needs help on the training ground. Stuart Gray, Fulham's previous defensive coach, left the club just after the season started, as did his previous goalkeeping coach Jose Sambade Carreira. It's no coincidence that two important members of staff leave the club and the areas they primarily coached start to falter.

He also needs to settle on a back four/five and goalkeeper and fast. This is easier said than done, as he has already had to deal with injuries or suspensions to Ream, Mawson, Bryan, Fosu-Mensah and Odoi in the first nine games.

Additionally, he needs to ask two of his three central midfielders to sit deeper when in possession. All but three of the goals we have conceded this season have come from inside the box, and most of those have come from counter-attacks, through balls or crosses from the byline (h/t Louis Doré).

Finally, Jokanovic needs to make the right decisions when games are in the balance. In the last three matches, Fulham have gone into the half-time break level with their opposition, only to lose on each occasion. Many of his substitutions have negatively changed the way Fulham play, and it's possible that the loss of Gray on the touchline – replaced by the less experienced Scott Parker – may be a contributing factor in this.

Fulham fans should be concerned with how this season has started, but with only a quarter of the season played, it's way too early to be pressing the panic button and thinking about letting Jokanovic go.



https://fromthehalfwayline.com/2018/10/22/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Bournmouth Sold Out

Tickets for this Saturday's fixture between Fulham and AFC Bournemouth at Craven Cottage are now sold out!

Thank you for your fantastic support.

Limited Matchday Hospitality Available

With only the last remaining packages available for this Saturday's fixture, guarantee your seat to watch all the action unfold with Matchday Hospitality.

Find out more here or for more information call our Hospitality team on 020 8336 7555 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm), or simply email [email protected].



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/october/22/bournemouth-sold-out

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk: The Player Ratings Show - Cardiff City vs. Fulham
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This is a new feature on Cottage Talk that focuses on player ratings for the Fulham players. During the show, we discussed the ratings and commentary of Ryan O'Donovan from Football.London for Fulham against Cardiff City. Co-host Matt Smith commented on his ratings, and also shared his own. We also had a discussion on Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.


You can also listen to the show here...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/10/22/18009762/cottage-talk-the-player-ratings-show-cardiff-city-vs-fulham

[WhiteJC]

 
Loan Round-Up

Marek Rodák came to Rotherham's rescue again as he kept out a Josh Magennis penalty in the Millers 1-1 draw with Bolton. The Slovakian kept out a penalty three minutes into the second half and Will Vaulks then gave the hosts the lead at the New York Stadium. However, Christian Doidge pegged them back scoring a late equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared.

Marcelo Djalo was involved in a high-tempered game against Mallorca in a 1-1 draw. The game was littered with 12 yellow cards, Djalo being one, and two red cards, one on either side. Kike Marquez's penalty in stoppage time salvaged a point for Extremadura to lift them out of the relegation places.

Stephen Humphrys tasted a cruel defeat as his Scunthorpe side conceded in the fourth minute of stoppage time against Wycombe. Ryan Colclough and George Thomas set the Irons quickly out of the traps to give the visitors a two-goal lead after seven minutes.

Wycombe responded well to restore parity through goals from Dom Gape and Fred Onyedinma. Ryan Allsop was shown a straight red card for the Chairboys, but this didn't stop Craig Mackail-Smith stealing the points late on. 

Elijah Adebayo played out a goal-less draw at home to Mansfield to solidify Swindon Town's spot in mid-table.

Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Horsens. The defeat sees Vendsyssel slump to one from bottom in the Danish Superliga.

Magnus Norman continued his three-match suspension for Rochdale and Tayo Edun was missing from the Ipswich squad in their 2-0 defeat to QPR.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/october/22/loan-round-up

[WhiteJC]

 
Could David Moyes Save Fulham's Season?

Fulham were probably expecting to have garnered more than just five points in their opening nine Premier League games, especially after they spent more than £100m in the summer transfer window.

Their latest defeat, to fellow newcomers Cardiff City, has seen The Cottagers fall into the dreaded relegation zone.

The recent negative results have led to the press speculating that Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic could just have two games to save his job at Craven Cottage. They haven't won a league match since August!

It's easy to see where the troubles start for the fifty year old gaffer and his team. Simply put they are conceding far too many goals. They've conceded twenty-five times, six goals more than any other team in England's top flight.

The Fulham defence often look like deers caught in the headlights. The full-backs can venture forward too many times and the centre of defence often looks weak and they can get overrun too easily.

Before Saturday, Cardiff had scored just four all season and then they scored four in one game against Fulham. That shows you just how big the defensive issue is at Craven Cottage.

So let's say that The Cottagers decide to replace their gaffer, who could come in and turn things around?

One name that could pique the interest of the Fulham board could be former Everton, Manchester United and West Ham United boss David Moyes.

It might seem like they are just picking one of the old boys but in fairness that could be what the club needs right now; a man that knows the league and who managed to turn things around with The Hammers last season.

Moyes took over from Slaven Bilic with West Ham sitting in the relegation zone, he departed at the end of the season leaving them sitting in thirteenth position.

One thing Moyes brought was more of a team structure. Players knew what was required of them and the Scotsman kept things simple. That's probably what Fulham need at the moment.

The Cottagers do have some good foundations to build on, much like West Ham did last term.

In terms of goals scored, Fulham are the eleventh best scorers so far in this campaign. Only seven other teams are taking more shots at goal and Jokanovic's men are also in the top half of the table when it comes to possession and passing success stats.

In Aleksandar Mitrovic they've got a strong physical focal point up-top. The Serbian striker has scored five goals in his opening nine league appearances.

Andre Schurrle is an forward with plenty of top flight experience and he makes intelligent runs that can lead to goals, the German has struck four times already this season.

Fulham have one of England's top exciting young prospects in Ryan Sessegnon. He's a wide player that brings plenty of energy and can provide key passes for the frontline.

Midfielder Jean Michael Seri seems to be a class act. He boasts good passing stats; he has an 87.7% passing success rate and makes on average sixty-four passes per game. The former Nice man has scored once from midfield and has created two assists.

Again it's in defence that the problems arise.

They aren't making enough tackles and only Burnley and Brighton have conceded more shots at goal. The Cottagers aren't bad when it comes to conceding fouls but in truth they could be smarter and commit more fouls to break up play more when opponents are attacking them!

As Slavisa Jokanovic knows himself, they need to vastly improve the defensive backline. They need to be toughened up and become more street wise in the Premier League.

Now whether it will be Slavisa that can turn things around remains to be seen. If he can't get positive results against AFC Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town then I'd imagine that could mean he's for the chop.

If that's the case then maybe it could be David Moyes' chance to once again show he can do a job in the English Premier League.




http://www.thefootyblog.net/2018/10/22/could-david-moyes-save-fulhams-season/

[WhiteJC]

 
After conceding 25 goals in 9 games, Fulham must sign this out of favour Chelsea starlet to solve their problem

Why Fulham should sign Andreas Christensen to improve their defence

Fulham have made the worst possible start to their Premier League campaign after getting promoted in the summer. They spent a fortune on buying new players, especially defenders, to help them perform in Europe's toughest league.

However, as it has turned out so far, Slavisa Jokanovic and his men haven't kept a clean sheet in nine games. Moreover, they have shipped in 25 goals at a rate close to three per game. As a result, the Cottagers now find themselves in the relegation zone, something which they wouldn't have anticipated after spending big over the summer.

The vulnerability is now so clear that every team in the league would be hoping to face them regularly. Fellow strugglers Cardiff City, who scored just four goals in eight games prior to facing Fulham, netted four in one game on Saturday.

The need for a defender is a must for Jokanovic if he is to turn this around.

Fulham should buy a PL quality centre-back

According to reports in Sky Sports, Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen will ask to leave the club if he doesn't play regularly by Christmas. The 22-year-old is yet to make a Premier League appearance this week as Maurizio Sarri seems happy with the partnership of David Luiz and Antonio Ruddier.

The Dane was one of the breakout stars for the Blues last season when he played regularly under Antonio Conte. However, things have changed since. The centre-back has played three games so far in all competitions, which shows he is way down the pecking order.

Fulham can take advantage of this situation and bid for the youngster in the January transfer window. The Cottagers are in a desperate situation defensively, and buying a Premier League quality centre-back would work well for them.

Christensen even played in the Champions League last season, hence, the 22-year-old does possess the experience and the talent to improve any defence in the league, let alone one which is leaking goals left, right and centre.

Verdict

For the player as well, this could prove to be a good move because he would get regular playing minutes at Craven Cottage. If he performs well at Fulham, he might even be able to earn a big move in a couple of years.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/10/23/after-conceding-25-goals-in-9-games-fulham-must-sign-this-out-of-favour-chelsea-starlet-to-solve-their-problem/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham set to open contract talks with promising youngster Ryan Sessegnon

    Fulham want to lock Ryan Sessegnon down to a longer contract with the club
    He currently has 18 months left, and new contract talks are set to open soon
    He's also tipped to make a breakthrough into the England senior squad

Fulham are set to open contract talks with prized asset Ryan Sessegon.

The 18-year-old is viewed as one of the best young prospects in English football and is tipped to make the breakthrough into Gareth Southgate's senior squad before the end of the season.

And the club are preparing a lucrative new contract for the teenager with talks due to open imminently.


Ryan Sessegnon is a prized asset for Fulham, and they are set to open contract talks with him


His current deal has 18 months left to run as Fulham seek to lock him down for a longer deal

Securing Sessegnon to a longer contract is a priority for Fulham as they look to protect the value of their talented youngster.

But there was an agreement not to commence discussions until the season started so the youngster could concentrate on his first season in the top flight.

Sessegnon has made nine Premier League appearances this season and the Cottagers are now preparing to follow through with their plan to improve his deal.

His current deal has 18 months left to run which adds to Fulham's urgency in trying to conclude discussions positively as soon as possible.


Securing Sessegnon to a longer contract is a priority as they look to protect his value

Meanwhile, Fulham's players remain behind manager Slavisa Jokanovic despite growing pressure on their boss.

The Cottagers slipped into the bottom three on Saturday following a 4-2 loss against Cardiff - but a Sportsmail source insists the squad believe Jokanovic is the man to lead the club forward



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6304455/Fulham-set-open-contract-talks-youngster-Ryan-Sessegnon.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Things are bad, but sacking Jokanovic is too risky

There is a really interesting aspect to the Media Policy in the NFL that allows the media complete access the changing rooms from about 10-12minutes (known as the 'cooling off period) after a game has finished. Journalists and cameramen flood into a room were all players and coaches are getting changed after a game, no matter what the result or mood is in the camp. To us, from the other side of the world, it seems strange and invasive of a place that over here is nearly sacred but it's seen as an important part of sport in America. The reason I mention it is because after the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat on Sunday against the Houston Texans, their third defeat in a row to bring them to 3-4 this season, the doors were opened to the changing room in the middle of a brawl between Jags players. The frustration at how they were playing had boiled over and a few of the players were in the process of being separated by fellow team mates. I have played a lot of sport and I know that at times changing rooms can be the place where arguments can happen and where every emotion can be laid out on the table, so I really struggle to understand how it's allowed to be opened up to the media, but after hearing about what happened on Sunday between the Jags players, it made me wonder what we would have seen had we been given access 10 minutes after Fulham's appalling defeat on Saturday in Wales.

Would we have witnessed players brawling and pointing fingers at each other in a blame game or a red-faced Slavisa Jokanovic yelling at his players? Or would we have been greeted to an eerie silence as the team tried to comprehend just how badly the last few games have gone for us? Last year Tim Ream and Kevin McDonald were model professionals for us, being leaders both on and off the pitch. We also had Tom Cairney stamping his authority on the squad as one of the league's best players. Contrast that to this season where we have had any combination of eleven players on the pitch all running about like strangers and the vast majority of goals conceded have been results of our own silly mistakes. It's hard to see where the leaders are on the pitch, and that's very worrying.

Our manager clearly doesn't know who his best eleven are and the constant shopping and changing, particularly in defence, is causing bedlam when we take to the field. We have also gotten ourselves into a habit of letting the heads drop pretty much straight after we concede a goal. The pressure is heating up for Slavisa Jokanovic, and while reports that he has two league games to save his job are nonsense, he will need to find a way to get the team playing a heck of a lot better to fend off the flames. I don't believe that he should be sacked at this moment in time as I think that will just make matters worse, but I'm not blind to the problems we have at the minute.

Swansea, West Brom and Stoke all changed managers last season and the risk didn't pay off. The year we went down we had not one, not two, but three different managers throughout the season which was a complete disaster. We can't point directly at Slav considering so many of the goals conceded have been individual errors, but we can question his squad selection. However, I do honestly believe that when players like Cairney and Fosu-Mensah are back and fit we will have a team with much more stability.

We can also take heart from the fact that Jokanovic has been a slow-starter with us throughout the two previous season but has found the 'solution', as he likes to say, each time resulting in a very strong finises. Yes, our fortunes in this respect will run out eventually but I think he deserves another chance to turn it around. Loyalty often pays off in football, and I believe that it will, once again, this time around.

Keep the faith.

#COYW



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/10/things-are-bad-but-sacking-jokanovic-is-too-risky/