Under-fire Jol admits plan did not work

Fulham manager Martin Jol admitted that four consecutive league defeats is “terrible” for his struggling side but tried to remain positive after losing at home to Swansea.

Substitute Jonjo Shelvey’s late goal saw the Swans win 2-1 and give an immediate taste of defeat to Rene Meulensteen, who was installed as Fulham’s head coach alongside Jol last week.

Jol revealed he and Meulensteen had worked hard on a plan to end Fulham’s winless run but admitted it did not pay off.

“It is disappointing because we needed the points. To have four straight defeats in the league is terrible,” he said.

“We were too defensive-looking against Southampton and Manchester United and we were trying to do something in the spine of the team today. We worked on it for eight days.

“I thought it worked in the first half but then we didn’t score. It should have come off but instead of being 2-0 up it was still 0-0.

“I said to them at half-time it could work against us if we don’t score, and then we didn’t pay attention from a free-kick and we scored an own goal.

Once again there were loud boos and chants of “Jol out” at the final whistle as Fulham lost for the fourth time in six games at Craven Cottage.

Jol appeared to gesticulate towards the Fulham logo on his coat as he departed the pitch and the Whites boss explained the gesture.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team and that’s what I was trying to get across,” he said.

“I can understand their reaction. I don’t enjoy that either, but you get that sort of criticism when you’re 1-0 or 2-1 down.

“This is not the nicest period in my life but I think we are good enough. But we need wins and we need points.”

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