By any standards – Stefan Johansen has had a slow start to his Fulham career.
But for the first time, head coach Slavisa Jokanovic revealed the player he paid close to £2 million for in the summer was in second gear.
The midfielder's debut at the beginning of September in the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham lasted all of 32 minutes before he was hauled off as Fulham changed tactics.
Only four more starts betrayed the Norwegian international’s lack-lustre opening, but that’s all behind him now.
Johansen was an unsung cog in the Fulham machine that destroyed Huddersfield 5-0 on Saturday, and appears to have learned the painful lesson of rolling up his sleeves.
The gaffer said: “He’s been able to offer different things in the last few weeks.
“He has a very good left foot; but it was without enough energy; without enough desire.
“He now understands what the team needs.
“He is working harder and stronger and offering us that which he didn’t before.
“He’s now close to starting regularly for us as a result.”
