THE DEEN AND I

Jokanovic tips ‘handful’ Troy to turn out for England

FULHAM boss Slavisa Jokanovic admits that he is an old-fashioned coach when it comes to strikers.

His Fulham side are hailed as an attractive passing outfit but they rely at the sharp end on Aleksandar Mitrovic to bully opposing defenders.

And when Jokanovic was in charge of Watford, who visit Fulham today, he counted on the physical presence up front of Troy Deeney, a player he reckons could yet play for Gareth Southgate’s England.

“I like this kind of player so maybe I am an old-fashioned coach,” Jokanovic said.

Jokanovic took Watford to promotion in 2015 with Deeney banging in the goals.

“He is strong and a big character,” the Serb coach (right) said. “Sometimes it wasn’t easy to deal with him but at the end I coped acceptably with him.

“He had a really great season, scored over 20 goals, and was really important in Watford’s promotion. He has grown up and made a positive evolution in those few years. Really I believe he can be an option for England.

“He’s got a few seasons in the Premier League behind him and has shown his quality.”

Jokanovic, who took charge of Fulham in December 2015, says Deeney (above) offers something different as a Premier League front- man. “All players have different characteristics but some that Deeney has are not easy to find in other players,” he said.

“You can use him in different ways depending on your style and what you want from your players. But he is a player who, at the right moment, has a chance to play for England.”

Jokanovic, though, will be hoping Mitrovic outscores his old striker at Craven Cottage today.

“We could judge Aleksandar Mitrovic as old-fashioned too,” he said. “But ‘old-style’ or ‘new-style’ is not important.

“I try to find the difference between good players and not-goodenough players.

“He is a really good player, a great character, a good player in a challenge and a fight.

“In the end, both players are very good. Mitrovic doesn’t run onto flicks and run in behind.

“You must know how to use the qualities of players and not show their weaknesses.”