Martin Jol is no doubt as to the importance of the New Year’s Eve game against Norwich – and wants his Fulham side to reproduce their Boxing Day display against Chelsea at Carrow Road.
Jol’s side were rewarded for their enterprising approach at Stamford Bridge with a point in the local derby but the Fulham manager wants his team to do more with the ball against Norwich, which he felt his side struggled to do in the second half against Chelsea.
You can always defend and we did that well against Chelsea. But you have to play your own football as well and we should have done that more in the second half. Hopefully we can do that over 90 minutes against Norwich.
I think it is a very important game to us. One that could change the season. But that is for them as well. They know it is an important game as well.
Jol knows Norwich’s different shape and philosophy could pose problems for his side tomorrow afternoon.
If you see Norwich play, they play in quite an extraordinary style for England. They play 4-4-2 in the diamond. It is a different style but hopefully we can do the same [as we did against Chelsea] and take the game to them, take the initiative and take control.
Fulham will be without Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Damien Duff for the trip to East Anglia, with Jol not holding out too much hope that the experienced trio will be available for selection.
Of course the only thing you can say is hopefully they will be back, but I don’t think there is a big chance. We have got a few worries but we have got attacking options available.
