Jokanovic was right. Plan A can work. The first half of Tuesday night's game at Nottingham Forest had a conventional pattern with Fulham taking the lead but only to be pegged back. The difference was that the equalising goal came early enough for the Whites to recover.
Denis Odoi and Aboubakar Kamara, both promoted to the starting line-up, seized their chance to impress. After a fine long range effort from Odoi had narrowly missed the target, Kamara tricked two defenders and put Fulham ahead. In a marvellously attacking match Forest deserved their equaliser when Traore's centre was headed in by Murphy.
The excitement continued after the interval. A foul on Fredericks just outside the Forest penalty area allowed Stefan Johansen to show that his aim is as sure as Oliver Norwood's. A third goal was needed to make victory absolutely certain and Yohan Mollo's pass to Neeskens Kebano gave Fulham their most emphatic League win this season. It was also a welcome tonic for players and supporters before Friday evening's match at Loftus Road.
Meanwhile, Fulham's owners have made yet another statement about redeveloping the Riverside Stand. They have apparently commissioned Populous, creators of the cricket ground Oval, to produce a design 'that will transcend the customary standards of football grandstands'. There will be a public exhibition at the ground on Thursday 12 October.
It is worth restating that the present grandstands are adequate for Championship football. The iconic 1905 building provides a great view of the match except where the pillars obstruct. When Archibald Leitch created the stand in 1905, my grandparents were among thousands who preferred the open terraces.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
