Jol would be happy with draw

14 October 2011 13:30
Fulham manager Martin Jol has admitted that he would be pleased to come away from Saturday's trip to Stoke with a goalless draw.[LNB] The Cottagers head into the match on the back of their first Premier League win of the season, having hammered near neighbours QPR 6-0 before the two-week international break.[LNB]And while Jol believes the result has raised confidence within the camp, he admits it will be tough to get a result at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]So much so, in fact, that he revealed that sneaking a 0-0 draw would represent a good day at the office for his side.[LNB]"We have to play our own game like we did, for example, against Newcastle," he said.[LNB]"Then, a couple of weeks ago, I think we had the initiative for most of the game against West Bromwich. It was the same but we couldn't score although I thought we were the better team.[LNB]"It was a 0-0 there and I think a 0-0 at Stoke would be a good result. But I still hope that with the confidence we have got we are capable of scoring a couple of goals."[LNB]Fulham grabbed a surprise 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium last season, with Chris Baird grabbing both goals.[LNB]Former Tottenham manager Jol has never faced Stoke during his managerial career but knows what to expect in the Potteries.[LNB]"There are a few things [that can help break them down]," he said.[LNB]"Last year we had a good result there. We defended and scored two goals through Chris Baird.[LNB]"It was a very good performance and probably the turning point for Fulham last season.[LNB]"But, as everybody knows, Stoke away is a difficult game.[LNB]"They have the same problem as we have in Europe. They are very good team with different qualities.[LNB]"They have (Peter) Crouch up front now who is a target and an outlet with their throw-ins too.[LNB]"They are quite a physical team that can play as well so it is a good team."[LNB]Jol admitted that Fulham will have to deal with a barrage of attacks in Staffordshire but does not think he will need to change his side too much.[LNB]The Dutchman plumped for an attack-minded philosophy for the resounding 6-0 defeat of QPR, against whom Andrew Johnson netted a hat-trick.[LNB]Asked whether he would need to change things for Stoke, he said: "Not with the line-up because I feel the same players could start again if that is my decision, but they will have to defend more than we did at home.[LNB]"That is the normal thing and we had to defend against West Bromwich, where he were trying to get initiative.[LNB]"Nil-nil would probably be a good result but I feel we have opportunities to score and that is what Fulham did last year."

Source: Team_Talk