Fulham boss Jol defends youth policy

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Under-fire Fulham manager Martin Jol has issued a strong defence of his youth policy, insisting the right players will be given a chance at senior level.

The Dutchman has also said he is “the first Fulham manager over the last 10 years” to include youngsters in first-team training sessions.

And Jol shrugged off reports of discontent among the club’s academy staff at his apparent reluctance to blood youngsters.

“These talks are coming from the academy – there is always one or two guys with some connections in the press,” he said.

“You get the same thing at any club, but the Under-21s are my responsibility – they have nothing to do with the academy.

“I told the coach of the Under-18s, Steve Wigley, that as soon as he sees a player who he thinks is ready then to knock on my door – and he never has.

Mathew Briggs of Fulham
Briggs came through the ranks at Fulham

“Can you see us fighting for our lives in the Premier League and playing 16 or 17-year-olds?

“It’s not only about Fulham, you don’t see players at this age playing in the Premier League.”

Jol named highly-rated 17-year-old striker Moussa Dembele on the bench for Saturday’s home defeat against Swansea.

Mesca has also been involved with the first-team squad this season and the Whites boss says he is hopeful other young players will make the step up.

“I’ve still got two or three youngsters that I am keeping a good eye on and they train with us sometimes,” he explained.

“I am the first Fulham manager over the last 10 years who did that. When I came in, Matthew Briggs was the only young player in the squad. Now I’ve got five or six.

“I’ve got Pajtim Kasami, Alex Kacaniklic and Moussa Demebele – and Patrick Roberts will be a very good player in the future and George Williams too. They all train with us.

“You need a good team and you need to play good football, which is what we want, and then you can integrate one or two youngsters.

“That’s what I did with Kacaniklic – he is from our Under-21s – and if you look at Kasami, he needed two years. It’s not easy.”

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