Jokanovic accepts blame for Fulham defeat

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic admitted the gamble to sacrifice Stefan Johansen just half an hour into the midfielder’s debut backfired.

The summer signing from Celtic was replaced by the more attack-minded Jozabed in a surprise tactical move during the first half as the Whites laboured in the middle against Birmingham.

But the sending-off of Michael Madl just before the break, and a penalty converted by Clayton Donaldson early in the second half, saw the visitors win 1-0.

Jokanovic said: “Stefan Johansen is a very good player. It was my desire that he came with us.

“I’m going to accept the whole responsibility today because we didn’t start very well. We didn’t find a way to combine with the more offensive players.

“But I tried to change the structure and I tried to find the solution. I didn’t find it with enough quality. I don’t want to blame my players, but it’s very clear we did not do a good job.”

The Whites boss conceded Birmingham deserved the points and took full blame for the performance.

“We made so many mistakes during the game,” he said.

“We had some possession of the ball but without getting it to our offensive players. This is my responsibility.

“We have to continue to work hard. We know this kind of situation can happen, with a new team which has been working two and a half months.”