Slavisa Jokanovic knows Fulham must find their own way to Premier League success and not just look to try to copy Manchester City’s own unique approach.
The Whites head to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday determined to take a positive mindset into a clash against one of the best-drilled sides in Europe.
Fulham won many plaudits for the way they went about their business in securing promotion back to the top flight via victory in the play-off final at Wembley.
Jokanovic, though, is not about to shape his side in the image of Pep Guardiola’s slick force.
“We try to find our way, we try to adapt ourselves, we try to interpret what we have in our hands,” the Fulham boss said at a press conference.
“We will choose what we believe is the best way for us to have the opportunity to win the game.
“Everyone knows how Manchester City play football, everyone knows what this team’s style is.
“We are a team promoted from the Championship, we want to use similar weapons and we want to attack with possession of the ball.
“I must be proud, because many people know what Fulham’s style is, too, and it can be the case that we are successful too in the seasons to come.
“It’s not easy to compare us with City; they have other records and targets to us. Anyway, we want to follow our way of playing football.”
Jokanovic, though, admits one can only be impressed by the work of Guardiola.
The Serbian said of the Spaniard: “He’s one of the most experienced and successful managers. He’s shown a similar style in different places, shown it’s possible to play that way in different competitions.
“All the credit to him. He made really important steps in the game – but to copy people is not good and it is not easy for us to match this level.”