RNK Split certainly impressed many with the way they performed against Fulham in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifier in Split but, speaking at the pre-match press conference, Fulham Manager Martin Jol is hopeful that his side will be able to finish the job at Craven Cottage on Thursday.
“They [Split] played in a different way - probably like Arsenal 25 years ago with three centre backs, two wingbacks and three strikers and that was different,” said Jol as he reflected on the encounter last week in Split.
“The game was a bit of a problem because we couldn’t press them with the two [strikers] because they always had a spare man all the time and in midfield they did the same. So we try to cope with that now, take the initiative more and we’ll give them hopefully the same problem we got when we played them. I still think 0-0 was ok in the away match but now we have to finish it.”
Ivan Katalinic, the RNK Split manager, was hopeful of a result at the Cottage, “It was a surprise result,” he said after last week’s draw. “I think my team can score at Craven Cottage because they now have belief.”
The stakes will certainly be high on Thursday evening but Jol is relishing seeing his side facing stern opposition.
“It’s not only good for me but for the team to play at a different level, a competitive level and that will be the case in the Premier League all the time,” Jol explained.
“The other games [against Runavik and Crusaders] were ok but the level was not good enough to say before the game that we have to compete.”
Fulham will be boosted by the return to availability of Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, however Steve Sidwell will be missing through suspension whilst Simon Davies only re-joined full training this week.
