Jol urges Fulham to keep focus

Jol urges Fulham to keep focus

Published Jan. 2, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

The former Gunners captain could make a dramatic return to the Premier League should clearance come through ratifying his loan move from Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. However, no matter what squad Arsene Wenger is able to call upon, Cottagers boss Jol wants his men fully focused as they look to take the positives from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Norwich, where Fulham conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time. "For Arsenal fans it is fantastic. Henry is a legend," said Fulham manager Jol, who was in charge of the Gunners' arch rivals Tottenham from 2004 to 2007. "(My team) played against him with Spurs and he was always making the difference as a player." Jol added: "He could be sitting behind me and we will have to focus on the game. "The last time we did well against Arsenal [drawing 1-1 at Emirates Stadium in November] and hopefully we can do the same." Whatever side Wenger puts out, Fulham know they will have to produce a strong defensive display to get another positive result. Centre-half Brede Hangeland - a one-time target for the Gunners - is confident the Cottagers can deliver. "We seem to play quite well against Arsenal both at home and away," Hangeland said. "Hopefully we can do the same again and we are looking to take three points because we're playing at the Cottage. "There are signs that we will be even stronger over the second half of the season and we will be looking up the table now." Fulham look set to again be without injured strike duo Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson against the Gunners, although winger Damien Duff could be in contention to start after returning to action with a 10-minute cameo at Carrow Road. Portugal striker Orlando Sa netted an early goal as Fulham dominated the first half, before eventually sitting too deep cost them when Simeon Jackson headed in just seconds from the end of five minutes of stoppage time. Midfielder Kerim Frei also tormented the Norwich defence for much of Saturday's game, the 18-year-old showing plenty of pace on the counter. Jol has been impressed by the Austrian's contributions. "Frei has got confidence and he is not like other young players - play well, play bad, play well - he is always the same," said the Fulham boss. "That is great to watch and he has got real pace."

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