SLAV SOARS AS RANGERS CIRCLE
AFTER shocking the overwhelming Championship favourites Newcastle and backing that up with a victory away at Preston, Slavisa Jokanovic could be forgiven for getting a little carried away.
But that is not the Fulham boss’ style – don’t expect any bold statements from the low-key Serb.
Substitute Callum Robinson threatened a Preston comeback but goals either side of half-time from Sone Aluko and Matt Smith sealed a deserved victory for Fulham and condemned the Lilywhites to successive defeats.
Having lost top scorers Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele this summer, Fulham have responded superbly, but Jokanovic isn’t getting ahead of himself and believes his side need to make more signings.
“I have to be happy how we played but at the same time this is only the start and we have a very long season ahead of us,” he said.
“The season is very long and at the moment we are lucky to find good results.
“The league has so many games, and we don’t have a big enough squad to be ready for what is in front of us.
“I want to be successful and so I need more options in my squad. People might be thinking ‘this guy is selfish’ but I am not selfish I want to be successful and I believe we need some steps – more and more players.
“For me the goal is to be ready for Tuesday night and to fight for three points.
“The other targets are so far in front of us and I think only about the next game.”
Fulham threatened after 21 minutes. Smith’s knock down fell for Tom Cairney, whose volley from 30 yards had Anders Lindegaard beaten, but dropped onto the roof of the net.
Fulham deservedly went ahead after 33 minutes though. They capitalised on chaotic Preston defending as Alan Browne’s clearance was hit against Kevin McDonald and looped up for Aluko, who nodded home from four yards.
And after a Preston attack, Cairney cut through the heart of the Lilywhites defence and teed up Smith – who slotted past Lindegaard from 12 yards at the second attempt to double the lead.
Two Preston substitutes combined to pull a goal back four minutes later as Jermaine Beckford’s cross was powered home by Robinson with a diving header.
Preston thought they had snatched an equaliser with three minutes remaining, but Beckford was agonisingly offside when nodding in from six yards.
Boss Simon Grayson, who confirmed Glasgow Rangers’ interest in signing their star striker Joe Garner, said: “If it weren’t for the offside goal that was actually onside, we would have got at least a point and possibly three you never know.
“Jermaine’s Beckford goal was definitely onside. We can’t use it as an excuse, we have to dust ourselves down and go again on Tuesday because this is a tough division.
“We’ve shown what we are capable of doing that but haven’t come away with any points yet.
“Rangers are sniffing around and they want to take Joe Garner. We are not looking to sell. Every player has a price I suppose. We will sit down if anyone comes in with an offer and contemplate it. We will do the right thing for the club.”