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Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport
Premier League

Luxury Cottage: Jol happy with attacking headache

The Dutchman describes his weekly choice between Dimitar Berbatov, Hugo Rodallega and Bryan Ruiz as a ‘luxury problem’.

FULHAM BOSS MARTIN Jol has described his options in attack as a ‘luxury problem’ as he continues to experiment with different combinations.

Dimitar Berbatov and Hugo Rodallega started the match against Reading on Saturday but it was after Bryan Ruiz was introduced for the latter that the Cottagers sprung into life up front.

Fulham went on to score three goals in the final 30 minutes at the Madejski Stadium but Reading twice nabbed late equalisers as the game ended in a 3-3 draw.

“What is my best forward line? That is still my problem – and it’s already October,” Jol said. ”Ruiz is probably my most creative player but on the other hand Berbatov is a very good second striker. It’s like a luxury problem.

“But it was good to see Ruiz coming on and changing our style, even though we looked fine first half.

“The thing is we started the season with Moussa Dembele, Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric against Norwich and it was probably our best game of my time here.

“Then we had Rodallega and Berba against West Brom and it was another great game.”

Jol explained that he preferred to start Rodallega alongside Berbatov as he felt that the Bulgarian and Ruiz both operated best when playing in support of a centre-forward.

“Ruiz and Berbatov never played together before,” he said.  ”I feel that Berba is not a typical number nine and that is why I’m playing Rodallega because he has pace and he stretches defences.”

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