Jokanovic doesn’t come bearing gifts
FULHAM manager Slavisa Jokanovic says he does not care about keeping his £119million army of new recruits happy – because he is not Father Christmas.
The Cottagers made a massive statement this summer by making 12 new signings, including five on deadline day alone.
Jokanovic will not be able to play them all every week and for every new player he picks, he risks upsetting one who helped the promotion play-offs.
But the Serbian said: “I’m not Santa Claus – there are no presents. I don’t need to make anybody happy.
“This is not sentimental. It’s about being professional. This is the most competitive club via win the league in the world. Presents don’t exist.”
His opposite number today, Roy Hodgson, has signed a new one-year contract with Crystal Palace.
Hodgson, 71 last Thursday, believes his side are equipped to make a real impact this season, saying: “I want to give our fans less heartache and do away with the constant worry that this is their last season in the Premier League.” Palace began last season without a point or a goal in the first seven matches and fired manager Frank De Boer shortly afterwards.
“We don’t need that again,” said Hodgson. “It seemed we were in a hopeless position, so we won’t fall into that trap again. There is no reason why we can’t start where we finished off last season, when we came 11th. After the top six, we could be among the best of the rest of the remaining 14.”