Slavisa Jokanovic has warned Championship high-fliers Newcastle United not to start planning the open top bus parade too soon.
The table-topping Geordies will return from the international break eight points clear of third place and look set to repeat their achievement of 2010, when they bounced back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
But Fulham boss Jokanovic, having led Watford to promotion from the Championship two years ago, knows just how many twists and turns can still come – which is why he is also playing down Fulham's own rise to within two points of the play-offs .
He said: “There ate still 90 points in front of all the clubs to fight for. It is so early and everything is open. There is going to still be many important things, and all the teams probably will find an up down situation.
“At the beginning of November nothing is clear. In front of us there will be many important months and games. We are thinking about small steps and the next game and that's it, May is so far at the moment.
“We don't need to be thinking about the end of the season, we try living in the present and the games immediately in front of us. There are 30 more games and the chance to fight for 90 more points.
“This is my plan. I'm not talking about promotion, not talking about top six, not talking about May, not talking about next season, only what is immediately in front of us.”
Jokanovic also insists it's difficult to draw too many comparisons between the Watford side he led to promotion and his current crop at Fulham.
He added: “Generally they are similar, but this is football, and I cannot compare all the clubs, teams and players. You have to find the best solution for each one.
“Watford play football, Fulham play football too, and thats it. Similar, but not the same.”
