Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must do everything they can to settle into life in the Premier League after they fell to their seventh defeat of the season on Saturday.
Jokanovic were outclassed by a settled and effective Bournemouth side at Craven Cottage, as a Callum Wilson goal either side of a wonderful David Brooks finish on the break made sure Fulham remained in the bottom three after ten games.
The vast difference between the Championship and Premier League is well documented, but always presents the toughest of tasks to squads unaccustomed to the top flight.
While things look bleak for Jokanovic, who was under the gaze of owner Shahid Khan at Craven Cottage, he knows it is still in their hands to perform.
"It’s a question about doing everything to step forward, we are fighting for this level and we know before we started competing at this level it will be hard, but everything depends on us," Jokanovic said.
"It’s hard for me, for the people and board, our supporters and my players too.
"The solution is here around us and we must force ourselves to make this step."
Fulham have been guilty of sloppy defending since their Premier League return and, in trying and failing to combat that here against Bournemouth, they lost their usual attacking verve.
For Jokanovic, Bournemouth were simply faster, stronger and far more organised on the day.
"We tried to be more solid and more organised and not to concede easy goals, I cannot complain about how my players tried to follow the plan, we are working all this week to try stop conceding easy goals," he said.
"From my position, I miss the power, strength, speed.
"They [Bournemouth] offer one professional performance and are working together and were more solid, they punished us after many challenges where we weren’t at a good level.
"We need to adapt ourselves for this situation."
