Slavisa Jokanovic defended his decision to make further changes to Fulham’s defence for their 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
He is yet to select the same back four for successive Premier League matches, perhaps contributing to the fact that after 10 fixtures they are in 18th place having conceded 28 goals, the division’s highest total.
Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was also dropped for Saturday’s defeat, with Sergio Rico making his debut behind a defence in which Alfie Mawson, Calum Chambers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Joe Bryan and Maxime Le Marchand have all been used without success.
Fosu-Mensah was recalled against Bournemouth, to whom he gifted a penalty with a clumsy, late challenge on Callum Wilson, but Jokanovic said: “I didn’t change so much when we compare to the last game (the 4-2 defeat at Cardiff). I didn’t use Timothy Fosu-Mensah against Cardiff.
“I made the decision not to use Cyrus Christie because he played two games for his national team (the Republic of Ireland).
“I played with Chambers at right-back, but (for Bournemouth) I made one change in the defensive line, if you don’t start talking about injured players and defensive players, one thing or another thing.
“I can make one time more some kind of change, but we need to be calm and accept our mistakes and try to find the solution.
“We tried to be more organised, but the mistakes killed us.
“This level is really hard and tough, not just for Fulham but for a few teams in the Premier League, it’s the highest level in England and it’s different pace, different strengths and it was my sensation that I need more energy, more aggression, more sprint in the midfield.
“We move around, but we were one step behind them and they were stronger and faster and during the game – the result is fair.”
In the absence of the injured Joshua King, Bournemouth changed systems to a three-man central defence with wing-backs and defended impressively throughout.
Their ability to adjust represents a further cause for optimism following a promising start to the season that has left them on course to challenge for qualification to the Champions League
Manager Eddie Howe said: “It was a challenge and the players adapted well.
“It was a blow to miss Joshua King, but Callum Wilson got us two goals and we really needed it.
“We’re in a good place and confidence is high but we can’t look too far ahead. We go into a cup game (at home to Norwich) on Tuesday and then into a big one with Manchester United next weekend.”
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