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Claudio Ranieri's tasks at Fulham: Key areas to correct

Claudio Ranieri takes over from sacked manager Slavisa Jokanovic with Fulham bottom of Premier League

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Sky Sports News takes a look at the career of new Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri.

Claudio Ranieri is back in the Premier League having been appointed as Slavisa Jokanovic's successor at Fulham.

Here, we take a look at the challenges ahead for the former Chelsea and Leicester boss as he walks into his new job at Craven Cottage.

The to-do list isn't short, but we've picked out the vital tasks ahead…

Plug the leaky defence

Where else to start? Fulham have conceded 31 goals from their first 12 Premier League games this season; only Barnsley in 1997/98 conceded more goals at this stage of a Premier League campaign (35).

They've conceded at least twice in 10 of their 12 games this season, and are on course to concede 99 goals come the end of the season.

Injuries at different times to Tim Ream, Joe Bryan, Alfie Mawson, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Calum Chambers have prevented any partnerships or stability forming, but individual errors have cost them dear, particularly in the damaging 4-2 defeat at then-winless Cardiff.

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Fulham's mistakes cost dear in their 4-2 defeat by Cardiff

Jokanovic's approach didn't help; their expansive, open style of football worked in the Championship, but upon losing the ball too often in the Premier League, they are left exposed.

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Jokanovic's failure to adjust to the higher technical demands of the Premier League has ultimately cost him his job, and the defence may be breathing a sigh of relief as Ranieri looks to bring an approach which protects the back four.

Consistency is key

Put simply, Ranieri's 'Tinkerman' label was futile during Leicester's title-winning campaign.

Seven players started at least 35 of the 38 league games, and though his tactics were clear for all to see, that radar-like familiarity of the XI trumped attempts to stop them. His tinkering crept back in during the 2016/17 season, and he was eventually sacked.

This season, Fulham have made 33 changes to their starting XI, the most of any side in the Premier League, with Manchester United (29) and Newcastle (28) following closely. Wolves, promoted alongside Fulham, have made just two changes to their starting XI.

Of course, injuries have an impact, and the majority of those changes have come in defence, but Ranieri will be desperate to form the consistency which served him so well at Leicester.

Ranieri led Leicester to an incredible first Premier League title
Image: Ranieri led Leicester to an incredible first Premier League title using a familiar XI

Chair of Fulham's Supporters' Trust Tom Greatrex told Sky Sports News: "It's fair to say what we haven't seen in the early part of this season is them gelling as a unit. There has been lots of chopping and changing, trying to find the right formula. On paper we have a very good squad.

"If we look at the past few games, Jokanovic tried various different defensive formations; so the priority is to tighten the defence, but also get that midfield working. We have exciting, good players, but getting them functioning as a unit is the priority."

Settling on a No 1 may be top of the list. Spaniard Sergio Rico found himself between the posts for the final few games of Jokanovic's reign, with last season's first-choice Marcus Bettinelli left warming the bench and Fabri also out of the squad having started the opening two.

Called up again for the England squad, 26-year-old Bettinelli will be hoping a change in management could see him return into Gareth Southgate's thinking.

Get the midfield and Mitrovic firing again

After impressing during the opening weeks of the new campaign, the last of Aleksandar Mitrovic's six Premier League goals came at the end of September. The Serbian, though, who made his move from Newcastle permanent in the summer, remains a handful for defenders and securing the right supply line will be crucial.

Lately, he has been left completely isolated as Fulham's patient, passing approach leaves him wrestling with defenders for passes which rarely arrive.

He had the beating of Joe Gomez in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, but it meant very little. A more direct approach will help, but that's easier said than done in a team moulded by Jokanovic's vision.

Aleksandar Mitrovic controls the ball on his chest during the Premier League match against Liverpool
Image: The last of Aleksandar Mitrovic's six Premier League goals came at the end of September

Mitrovic's skillset is specific, so to get the best out of him, Ranieri will look to the midfield. Tom Cairney's free role has left him lost, Kevin McDonald's suitability in the task of breaking the opposition's press with forward passes is questionable, and though Jean Michael Seri's ball-carrying qualities worked well earlier on, they have since fallen foul of pushy opposition midfields.

After the defence, Seri, Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle are key to Fulham's survival hopes, but Ryan Sessegnon's role also needs a resolution. This season alone Sessegnon has played left-wing in a 4-3-3, right-wing in a 4-3-3, left-midfield in a 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-2, and left-back in a 4-3-3 and 5-4-1.

The 18-year-old was at his best as a winger last season, but the pressure on his shoulders has not been helped by this constant chopping and changing.

It seems an entire new approach may be necessary, which will take time and much observation on Ranieri's part. With 12 games gone and a tight pack of sides in danger above them, time is just about on his side.

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