Jokanovic hails his ‘serious football team’

Slavisa Jokanovic hailed Fulham’s opening-night victory as “the perfect start” and believes his side now look like a “serious football team”.

Striker Matt Smith scored with a towering first-half header to beat promotion favourites Newcastle 1-0 at Craven Cottage and Jokanovic stressed it was just the first step towards what they want to achieve this term.

“What was different from last season is that we played with energy, with the right mentality, like a serious football team that can win games,” he said.

“It’s great result for us – a perfect start – and I am very pleased. We prepared well in pre-season and they showed today they understand what they must do on the field.

“We played very well with the ball and, when we suffered, we did it as a team when we didn’t know how we would finish the game.

“We made one step – it is short and we have to be happy, but then be ready for what’s in front of us. If we follow this way we can think about a better season than the last few years.”

Jokanovic was impressed with his new signings as he gave competitive debuts to seven players, but he wants the £12m earned from the sale of Ross McCormack to be reinvested.

“We need to make investment and generally it’s £12m more. It doesn’t make sense to spend less than this £12m,” he said.

“Matt Smith is part of my team but I expect to sign four or five more players that will be ready to come into the team.”