Fulham boss Martin Jol accepts causing upset against Manchester City will be tough task

Fulham manager Martin Jol has admitted it will be a tough task to beat Manchester City this weekend.

The Cottagers were the first team to deny Roberto Mancini's side all three points this season, coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2, but the table toppers are yet to drop a single point from their 11 league matches at the Etihad Stadium.

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Jol told reporters: “I am not sure [what we can do differently to those 11 sides that have lost] because there were quite a few good teams going over there.

“Of course away from home they are good, but they are even better at home.

“We have to find a solution to give them a few questions.

“We did that in the second half at Craven Cottage, but in the first half [Sergio] Aguero and [David] Silva were a handful.

“If you remember, the manager took them off and we scored our two goals and could have even scored a winner after that.

“We took the first points off them and of course they have had a few disappointing matches, like Everton.

“We hope to do the same away from home. Every game is different.

“I can understand why managers go there and try and narrow the space and play compact, but sometimes maybe the solution is to play four attackers.

“Real Madrid, the best in Spain and top of the league by seven points, tried everything against Barcelona and still lost.

“So sometimes there is no solution but we will have a game plan, make a decision and we'll have to wait and see.

“For me the most important thing is to get this game out of the way. We will see after the game what the result will be.”

Fulham conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 against West Brom on Wednesday night after taking the lead through Clint Dempsey, and Jol admits he was frustrated by the result.

He added: “It was frustrating, but you have to take into consideration the day before.

“[Moussa] Dembele dropped out injured, Andy Johnson dropped out injured and Bobby, of course, was not there.

“We had to play with Simon Davies for the first time, Clint Dempsey up front for the first time, Bryan Ruiz in a different role so it was not ideal preparation.

“Against West Brom you have to be patient to get through and with quality you can do that, like we did on our goal.

“Bryan Ruiz played a killer ball and Clint [was] on the end of it.

“But to concede that goal that was disappointing.

“We have had nine draws so we are always on the fringe of doing fantastic and doing what we are doing now.”

Belgium international Dembele is set to return to the Cottagers squad after recovering from a hip injury, but Johnson remains out and new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak has not received clearance to play yet.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has fully recovered from a spine injury picked up in December but could face stiff competition in the starting line-up as David Stockdale has impressed during the Australian's absence.