Source: Team_Talk
Jol not focused on Ramos
Fulham boss Martin Jol has played down talk of animosity with Dnipro coach Juande Ramos despite the Spaniard replacing him at Tottenham.[LNB] The Dutchman was sacked as Spurs manager in acrimonious circumstances in 2007 before being swiftly replaced by then-Sevilla coach Ramos.[LNB]Jol's departure came after a successful 2006/07 season and months into the new campaign, during which time stories emanated about Tottenham officials meeting Ramos.[LNB]The pair come head-to-head for the first time tomorrow evening as Ramos brings his Dnipro side to Craven Cottage for the first leg of their Europa League play-off.[LNB]Jol was keen to turn attention away from any potential grudge match in Tuesday's pre-match press conference, although he seemingly made a jibe at his counterpart.[LNB]"He was there for 10 or 11 months and moved on and then ended up in the Ukraine," he said with a smile. "So it's something to think about.[LNB]"They play well. I was there last year playing against Dynamo Kiev. I think it is a strong competition."[LNB]Jol went onto successful spells with Hamburg and Ajax after leaving Spurs and returned to English football with Fulham this summer.[LNB]Ramos, by comparison, spent a short stint at Real Madrid and was sacked after just 47 days in charge of CSKA Moscow before joining Dnipro.[LNB]When asked about their different career paths, Jol retorted: "Talking about him is a different issue. Do you want to talk about him or about me? About both?[LNB]"I don't want to focus on the coach. He's important, but not that important. Same as me.[LNB]"They have to show it on the pitch. The only thing we can do is try and take control and bring our vision over to the players.[LNB]"Don't make it more important than this."[LNB]Jol's side have already dispatched Faroese minnows NSI Runavik, Northern Irish part-timers Crusaders and NSI Runavik of Croatia on their route to the play-offs.[LNB]The Ukrainian side were knocked out at this stage last year and have struggled in the Ukrainian Premier League of late, although Jol insists he is not taking them lightly.[LNB]"It's a good team, if you know the level of football over there," he said. "They've got a couple of good teams, very strong teams.[LNB]"Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk are the best two, then Dnipro. They play a high tempo, technically skilful. It's a very good footballing team.[LNB]"We are confident; 0-0 will not be the best of results.[LNB]"We need a cushion to go there because, at home, they're strong. We'll need a good result."[LNB]Fulham come into the match off the back of a 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa at the weekend but Jol is confident his side can find the net tomorrow.[LNB]"It's a different game, we start all over again," he added.[LNB]"We created chances against Villa, but not enough for my liking at home.[LNB]"The difference always is to score a goal. I would have been satisfied if we'd scored one.[LNB]"We were the better team and should have scored. But, although it's a different side tomorrow, it's an adventure.[LNB]"It's a new thing. I've been here for nine weeks and we will probably play in this style up front for the first time tomorrow.[LNB]"We'll wait and see. I'm very confident. We have to trust the players. We will play with a few other players tomorrow."[LNB]
