Slavisa Jokanovic was trying to view his glass as half-full when discussing Fulham’s Carabao Cup exit to Manchester City on Thursday night.
Jokanovic has watched his team ship 28 goals in ten league games since their promotion to the top-tier of English football.
However, Jokanovic felt it was a case of gradual improvement at the Etihad Stadium, despite falling foul to a Brahim Diaz brace.
“It’s true, we conceded so many goals,” the Fulham manager said at his Friday press conference. “Yesterday night we had a great opportunity to test ourselves and try work altogether and find the organisation and working altogether against one of the top teams who must under many pressure during the game.
“For another side, we made one test, we try to be competitive, to go into next round but at the same time, we need to look for our improvement process and push forward and use this night to make positive step forward.
“After one defeat we cannot be satisfied, but I want to catch this game for some positive signs and we made some positive steps.”
The Serbian coach is still trying to find a settled back four who can offer defensive stability, which is why he picked a strong starting eleven for the League Cup tie.
“Yesterday I play with Ryan Sessegnon, Denis Odoi, and Tim Ream at the back, three players of the four at the defence.
“At the end, I try choose what I believe is best option and what will give us more options to win the game.
“In football, I choose something and the process is never finished, other players will have opportunity to push hard and fight for the space in the team.”
Fulham are currently 18th in the league table and travel to face fellow strugglers, Huddersfield Town, on Monday night in what is an early-season relegation six-pointer.
