Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must 'go to war' to avoid relegation
Thursday 17 March 2016 17:10, UK
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic wants his team to have a war mentality if they are to survive relegation this season.
The west London club, who were relegated to the Championship in 2014, currently sit in 20th, just one point away from the relegation zone.
Fulham have won just two games since the start of 2016, and most recently lost 2-1 to fellow strugglers Bristol City last Saturday.
And the former Watford manager is under no illusions of their position, and has urged the team to change their mentality should they wish to beat Birmingham City away on Saturday afternoon.
"We play very good football but it's time to go to war," he said in his pre-match press conference.
Trending
- Papers: Rashford loses Man Utd dressing room after public comments
- 'Cultural overhaul needed' | Neville slams mediocre Man Utd
- Impatient Ange vows to never change as Carra questions tactics again
- Reaction as Christmas leaders Liverpool score SIX at Tottenham LIVE!
- 'Performance of champions' | Carra praises Liverpool's statement win
- World Darts Championship schedule: Cross headlines Monday's action
- Liverpool latest: Wherever I end my career I am happy - Salah
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Could Maguire leave Man Utd for free next summer?
- Amorim: Anxiety around Old Trafford is affecting our mentality
- Anderson stunned by De Graaf in shock Ally Pally exit
"It's simple now. It's not important how we're going to play the football, if we play very good or if we have possession of the ball.
"It's important but in this moment there are more important things. I take responsibility because it's my position. We need to be strong, we need to be mentally prepared to understand where we are right now."
Fulham rank second for goals scored this season (56) in the Championship, only behind league leaders Burnley (60). But Jokanovic feels his team have to sacrifice their more attacking style of play if they are to stay up this season.
He added: "In my personal life I have been doing interesting things over the last 12 months.
"I accept what is my situation right now, I am fully ready and prepared for fighting was is in front of us and we have to analyse this match in front of me.
"Personally we play an interesting team, good football and we lost other games but now it's war."
Although Jokanovic admits to wanting to 'simplify' his side's game, he is still open to making adjustments tactically over the course of the final nine matches of the season.
"I am a coach with this characteristic [to be flexible]," he explained.
"Nothing is going to be new, I'll either change or not..
"It's like always I'm going to try and find solutions for my team in similar way, like I've tried in all my coaching career, and find what I believe can be most successful for us."
