Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has called NUFC loanee Aleksandar Mitrovic a ‘sensation’ after playing a big part in Fulham’s 2-0 win over promotion contenders Aston Villa on his full debut over the weekend.
Saturday saw Mitrovic earn his first start at Craven Cottage, and although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, the Fulham boss has been full of praise for the Serbian, explaining why he played such a big role in their crucial win.
I know Fulham fans have really warmed to him already, but it seems Jokanovic is liking what he’s seeing to, having the following to say about his contribution to Saturday’s victory over Villa:
“Although he didn’t score, Mitrovic played very well, a very good game,”
“He’s a sensation – he’s already doing tricks. He didn’t score but his movement for the first goal was fantastic and he created the space for Sessegnon to finish with the goal.
“He showed quality, power and did a great job for us – holding up the ball very well and having a positive impact on the game.
“He didn’t play for many, many, many months – he didn’t compete, so we expected we could bring him in and prepare him to be in a better shape and he can still help us in the future.”
Interesting that his ‘movement’, his’ quality’, his ‘tricks’ and his ‘power’ were mentioned specifically here. Four traits that I’d argue he didn’t show enough of during his spell in the Championship with us last season?
Movement and tricks especially. He’d occasionally show his strength and quality in front of goal, but the likes of Malcolm Macdonald have slated him for not using his body and lacking that ‘intelligence’ in his movement.
Some may read this and wish we’d kept him on Tyneside until the end of the season, but the fact of the matter is that Rafa never looked like playing him.
I for one am glad he’s settling into life at Fulham and hope he can return a changed man and better player.
