Slavisa Jokanovic has backed David Button ahead of this afternoon’s Championship opener against Norwich City – and the Fulham head coach suggested that he is partly to blame for putting his ‘keepers in some sort of trouble’.
Button, who lost his place to Marcus Bettinelli at the tail end of last season after a series of mistakes, will be between the sticks this afternoon after the Fulham academy graduate injured his hamstring in last weekend’s friendly against Wolfsburg. Jokanovic admitted that his play-out-from-the-back style places extra pressure on Fulham’s goalkeeper, but made it clear he has no qualms about starting with Button.
I have a fantastic relationship with David Button. I trust him and used him 40 times. Many times, he did a very good job for us. I am fully confident in him. When Marcus Bettinelli is available, he’ll fight him for the position.
He is a professional football player. It’s clear what I expect for a player who plays in this position. It’s my responsibility sometimes. I put my keepers in some sort of trouble. We play a bit different and I want to start playing from the keeper.
It’s more simple to kick the ball to the strikers as it’d give him more opportunity to be comfortable in the goal. He has all my confidence. Sometimes, when he makes a mistake it’s partly my responsibility as well. I used this player many times and remember many quality games that he has offered us at Craven Cottage and in away games.
