Video: Europa League exit is big blow for Fulham, admits Martin Jol

Martin Jol is trying to find the positives in Fulham’s Europa League exit at the hands of Odense on Wednesday night.

The Cottagers were dumped out of the competition at the group stage after substitute Djiby Fall’s late equaliser secured the Danish side a 2-2 draw.

But Jol believes his side’s domestic form could improve as a result of their elimination. “It is awful to go out of the competition in the way we did but hopefully we will gain something from the fact we don’t have to play these Thursday matches,” he said.

“I think it is a big blow for the club but every disadvantage has an advantage. There were positive things in the first half, like how much we put them under pressure and the players that made the difference, like [Kerim] Frei with a cross and a goal.

“In the second half our best players were probably almost worn out. They were tired.

“It is probably the 30th game for a few of them and that is not an excuse because we are a team that can defend a lead.

“We were 2-1 up and then 30 seconds from the end we did not have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half.”