Martin Jol dismisses concerns his job is under threat

Martin Jol has dismissed concerns before Fulham's game at Liverpool tomorrow that his job is under threat, despite speculation that he could become the next Premier League manager to be sacked.

Jol and his side were booed by a large section of their support last weekend during Fulham’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester United and although they secured successive victories against Stoke and Crystal Palace last month, a defeat at Anfield will mean they slip into the bottom three if Norwich City win at home to West Ham.

The Norwich manager, Chris Hughton, has also come in for criticism from his own fans but Jol, who claimed he felt "lonely" during the match against United, remains confident that Fulham are better than a number of sides in the Premier League.

“People asked me how I felt when we conceded three goals in the first half and I was more cynical, with a sense of humour, and said I was very lonely. No, I am quite happy here but in that 15 minutes I felt lonely,” he said.

Jol revealed that the defender Sascha Riether was disciplined internally as well as receiving a three-match ban from the Football Association for his stamp on United's Adnan Januzaj.

He said that Hugo Rodallega will be out for five to six weeks with a groin injury but that Brede Hangeland is in contention to play at Liverpool. "I don't think you are under pressure against Liverpool or Man United," he said.

"You are under pressure in your home games against the teams who should lose points against us. We need a few surprise results and maybe we can start against Liverpool."
Guardian Service