A big part of Fulham's success under Roy Hodgson, like most 'Woy's' sides, was the organisation and discipline he was able to instil into his players. Unsung heroes like Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu are not players you would associate with glitzy European finals, but there they were going toe to toe with Atletico Madrid into extra time. Jol has attempted an upgrade on these unfashionable names, although Brede Hangeland remains club captain, but are the likes of Philip Senderos, an Arsenal cast-off, really what you need to anchor down a defence? Scott Parker is possibly the only other line of defence for a Fulham goalkeeper right now, and he can't do it all alone. A Liverpool side in the mood they were this weekend cut through the backline far too easily. The debacle at Anfield isn't a new thing either. Man United, a team supposedly in turmoil under David Moyes, produced their most incisive spell of football all season last weekend, as Fulham were 3-0 down at home inside 22 minutes. Can Jol really inspire a team containing Abel Tarrabt and Dimitar Berbatov to batten down the hatches?
I am from Bangor, aged 24, and possess an MA in Journalism from The University Of Ulster. I have had work published in the Belfast Telegraph and interviewed several local footballers and Olympic athletes. I also run my own sports blog, 'Sporting Thought' in addition to contributing to What Culture.
