Slavisa Jokanovic has explained his decision to use Stefan Johansen as a false nine - insisting it allows the two wide players to attack the space the Norwegian creates.

Since Floyd Ayite's injury at Sheffield United, the head coach has employed the 26-year-old at the top of a midfield diamond, flanked by two offensive players, something that has not gone down well with some sections of the Craven Cottage support.

Fulham are finding goals hard to come by at the moment and the move to play Johansen in the false nine position came as a result of finding a solution to that problem.

Although the defeat at Sunderland proved fruitless in terms of goals once again, Jokanovic was quick to defend using Johansen in the position, stating he had the most shots on the pitch.

He said: "I play with Johansen like the top of the diamond and play with two more offensive players and I play with players who can attack the space and try use the Stefan like players who can give us option to colloborate.

"In the past, we had some wide players who can play in the gaps, now our wide players try play and use the space.

"This is the decision that I take dependant on the different situation, Johansen, at top of the diamond or fake striker, he had more shots in the last game against Sunderland than any player in my team and he makes some offensive jobs for himself.

"Barnsley game is different game, we didn't expect we will find so many space behind defensive line and we don't expect we can attack space behind the centre back like where I am talking about in the Sunderland game.

"This game, Barnsley play little bit different and there exists a possibility that we can find some space behind the centre backs and try attack.

"At the end we are thinking about what is best option for us for game in front of us, and we are going to try like always to find best solution for the team."

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