Jokanovic hails Mitrovic and vows to address Fulham’s defensive woes

Slavisa Jokanovic has hailed Aleksandar Mitrovic for the insatiable will to win which is helping the Whites adapt to the demands of top-flight football.

The striker bagged his fifth goal of the season at the weekend to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Whites at home to Watford, and has already suggested that last season’s goal-glut in the Championship might be replicated in the top tier.

That is in spite of the fact the Serbian failed to set the Premier League alight last time out with Newcastle United, who were happy to offload him.

“I don’t know his approach in different clubs, but his approach here is always positive,” said Jokanovic.

“He wants to push the team forward. He is generous with the work. All this news is positive news for him and for us too.

“He wants to be better today than yesterday and he pushes himself for his goal tally. I’m sure he’s not going to be satisfied with the game [against Watford].

“He’s a natural winner. He wants to win all the games and put in the pocket three points.”

The continuing excellence of his star striker is in stark contrast to the defensive woes Jokanovic faces and his failure to find a settled back four so far.

The latest pairing of Alfie Mawson and Calum Chambers looked shaky against the Hornets and only lasted 45 minutes, before a struggling Mawson was withdrawn.

“This is my job,” said the Fulham boss. “I must work with them and discover what I don’t know about them.

“When we bring in new players, it’s not easy. Sometimes it’s not a question about quantity but about quality and we have to try to find out how we can improve ourselves from the season before.

“I must know who can offer me what level in different situations. I have made one lap checking all of these players who have played with me right now and on Tuesday night [at Milllwall in the Carabao Cup] I will probably have another test for players to discover something new.”

Jokanovic added: “I cannot separate my players – the ones who played in the Championship, and the new players. I try working with all the team and try finding our best combinations to win the game. We want from the side different characteristics.

“It’s not easy for the new players coming in. Some players are coming in from different countries, are working with a different coach and different team-mates, with different styles, and this is the process. They have to push hard and be able to learn new things.”