Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham can progress in Europa League says Chris Baird
Fulham defender Chris Baird has targeted qualification for the Europa League group stage but expects a tough match in Thursday's third qualifying round second leg against RNK Split.[LNB]The Cottagers endured a frustrating night in last week's first leg as they struggled to a goalless draw in Croatia.[LNB]After victories over Faroese minnows NSI Runavik and Northern Irish part-timers Crusaders, the west Londoners had been expected to secure another win at Dugopolje's Stadion Hrvatski Vitezovi but Split proved dogged opponents.[LNB] Drawing a blank: Fulham were unable to break down the RNK Split defence[LNB]Boss Martin Jol admitted in last week's post-match press conference that he anticipates another difficult match in the second leg and Baird has echoed his manager's sentiments.[LNB]'I can see that myself as well,' he told Fulham's official website. 'I think the draw was a good result for us because they weren't a bad side.[LNB]'I'm not making excuses. The pitch was a big factor for us but they also made it a tough game.[LNB]'Now we'll be on our own surface, with our own fans behind us and I would fully expect us to get the win.'[LNB]He added: 'It's been great to be in the Europa League again.[LNB] Sharp shooter: Fulham will look to Andy Johnson (left) to fire them through[LNB]'Obviously the results show that we're taking it seriously.[LNB]'We've had a few tough games but we've come through them.[LNB]'The last game against RNK was a hard one but hopefully we're going to get the win we need back at the Cottage.[LNB]'We'll be hoping to get into the group stages again. We're in the competition and we want to do well and get as far as we can.[LNB]'It's going to be hard no matter what but, at the end of the day, it's just down to us.[LNB] Stroll: Fulham eased through the early rounds of the Europa League[LNB]'If we can get into the group stages it will be magnificent for the club and great for the boys.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Fulham have been linked with a move for ADO Den Haag duo Wesley Verhoek and Lex Immers.[LNB]The Barclays Premier League club are reportedly leading the race to sign 24-year-old winger Verhoek despite competition from the likes of Rangers, Nottingham Forest and several leading Dutch clubs.[LNB]Team-mate Immers is also reported to be on Jol's radar, with the club looking for a loan with a view to a permanent deal for the 25-year-old.[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEFulham set to beat Bolton and Stoke to ?4m-rated striker Jerome RNK Split 0 Fulham 0: Cottagers boss Jol 'satisfied' despite stalemateAll the latest Fulham news, features and opinion [LNB]
