Fulham Verdict: Southampton & Reading collapses mean Everton get more credit than Jol’s side

Fulham manager Martin Jol. Photo credit: Nigel French/EMPICS

By Tom Moore Monday, October 29, 2012
1:00 PM

Fulham should have picked up six points from their last two away games but their inability to hold on to a lead has left them with only two.

Against Southampton, Kieran Richardson gave the Whites a 2-1 lead with two minutes to go before Jose Fonte levelled for the Saints in stoppage time.

It was the same story against Reading as Dimitar Berbatov gave Martin Jol’s side a 3-2 lead in the 88th minute before Hal Robson-Kanu levelled in the final minute of normal time.

It is the third time this season that the Whites have not held onto a lead – they took a third minute lead against Manchester United and went on to lose 3-2.

Overall their record is one win, three draws and two defeats. In that time they have scored nine goals and conceded 12.

Their goals scored is up there with Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham but their goals conceded is the joint second worst with Southampton – Norwich have given away the most with 16.

You can’t score two or more goals in the Premier League away from home on four occasions and end up with only five points.

Manager Martin Jol wants his side to be given the same sort of credit that Everton have received – they won’t unless they can see out a win away when leading.

He said: “I think we should have had credit last year as we did the same as Everton and we almost did the same until two or three games before the end.

“We lost our best players and we changed the midfield to a different style but we still like to play our style.

“Even with Chris Baird who was not a midfield player all the time. Dembele was more like a forward player.

“Sometimes it’s a necessity to change things to go my way.”

But until they can hold onto a lead properly they won’t be given the credit the Dutchman believes they deserve.

Had they been able to hold onto an away lead in their last two games they’d be three points off Manchester City.

And then they’d be given plenty of credit with early talk of a Champions League spot, like there has been with Everton.