Baptism of fire

A World Cup and European Championship winner with France and a top flight star at Monaco, Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern, Djorkaeff recalled how he was stunned by the pace of the English game when he made his Wanderers' debut in last season's scoreless draw at Southampton when he was substituted after just 58 minutes.

Undaunted though, he went on to become a major influence in the successful survival mission and he is confident the Nigerian international and the rookie French defender - who were both withdrawn at half-time at Loftus Road - have the talent to follow suit.

"It is difficult," Djorkaeff said, casting a critical eye over the varying demands of the major European leagues. "I remember my first game in the Premiership and it was totally different to what I was used to in Germany, Italy and France.

"There is a big difference but these are very good players and they will learn."

Djorkaeff's skill in turning fellow countryman Alain Goma on the edge of the box won the penalty Michael Ricketts converted to give Wanderers a fourth minute lead but in the main his subsequent efforts to inject quality into the game were frustrated by the vigilance of opponents and, crucially, the shortcomings of his team-mates.

But he insisted that the blame for the first day defeat was a collective responsibility and should not be shouldered by the two new boys.

"It is not about this player or that player," he stressed. "We are a team , we are a big team with a good mentality and we have to show that in the next game. Jay Jay and Bernard are good players but they are just individuals ... on Saturday it was the team who lost."

In contrast to Wanderers, who attempted to integrate two new signings into their team plan, Fulham's starting 11 were all from last season's squad list.

But the major advantage Jean Tigana had on Sam Allardyce was the five-match Intertoto Cup run which gave his side a competitive edge in the build up to the season.

Djorkaeff said that was the key.

"They have had the intensity of the Intertoto Cup and that was important for them. You could see they had the right mentality.

"We had a good start with the early goal and after 10 minutes before they scored, we were looking very good. But conceding the goals as we did was not good for the morale of the team.

"We knew this year would be more difficult than last year but to lose 4-1 in the first game is not what we expected.

"But there is a long time to go ... it is a long season and, okay, we have lost 4-1 but at home I am sure we will win the next game."