Martin Jol finds positives in Fulham's Europa League exit

Jol's Fulham let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Odense and go out

Fulham manager Martin Jol insisted there were positives to take from his team's dramatic Europa League exit.

Jol's team slipped out of Europe due to Djiby Fall's late equaliser earning Odense a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

"I think it is a big blow but every disadvantage has an advantage," said Jol, whose team led 2-0 at the break and would have gone through with a win.

"There were positive things in the first half, like how much we put them under pressure."

Fulham's Europa League campaign started at the end of June and their draw with the Danish side, which allowed Wisla Krakow to snatch second place in Group K, was their 14th game in the competition.

The hosts had a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to strikes from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei.

But Hans Hankin Andreasen's free-kick pulled one back before Fall knocked the Cottagers out with the last kick of the match.

Jol, whose team are only three points above the Premier League relegation zone, was at least satisfied with the performances of several of his younger players.

He added: "We were fine in the first half and I was really pleased with them.

"The youngster Marcel Gecov did well, and Kerim Frei did well so it was good.

"Frei is a big talent and don't forget Danny Murphy could not play and Steve Sidwell was not fit.

"Matthew Briggs did a good job like he always has done in European matches for us."

Jol's team, who have managed only three victories in the Premier League this season, face Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next five games, and the Dutchman admitted his side are showing signs of tiredness after their long European campaign.

He added: "It is probably the 30th game of the season 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."