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Jol underlines importance of Norwich game

last updated Friday 30th December 2011, 8:30 PM


Fulham manager Martin Jol
Fulham manager
Martin Jol
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Martin Jol
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Fulham manager Martin Jol believes the New Year's Eve trip to Norwich could be a defining moment in Fulham's Premier League season.

The Cottagers head to Carrow Road boosted by their impressive 1-1 draw at West London neighbours Chelsea on Boxing Day.

Many feared Jol's men could suffer another heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge just days after they were thumped 5-0 by visitors Manchester United.

But Fulham went to Chelsea with an attack-minded philosophy and secured a confidence-boosting point.

The 13th-placed side have struggled for consistency this season and remain just five points clear of the drop-zone.

"You can always defend and we did that well against Chelsea," Jol said.

"But you have to play your own football as well and we should have done that more in the second half.

"Hopefully we can do that over 90 minutes against Norwich.

"I think it is a very important game to us. One that could change the season. But that is for them as well. They know it is an important game as well."

Fulham could climb above Norwich and into the top half with victory in East Anglia.

But Jol will be missing a host of key players against a Norwich side which have impressed in their top-flight return.

Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff all missed the Chelsea clash through injury and look set to remain on the sidelines.

"Of course the only thing you can say is hopefully they will be back, but I don't think there is a big chance," Jol told Fulham TV.

"We have got a few worries but we have got attacking options available."

The Dutchman concedes he will have to tweak his tactics against the 11th-placed Canaries - but not his personnel.

He added: "If you see Norwich play, they play in quite an extraordinary style for England. They play 4-4-2 in the diamond.

"It is a different style but hopefully we can do the same [as we did against Chelsea] and take the game to them, take the initiative and take control."



















Source SkySports
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