Felix Magath believes that Fulham's youngsters hold the key to whether or not the Cottagers will be promoted next season. Relegation was confirmed on Saturday for the West London club following a 4-1 drubbing away to Stoke City and since arriving at Craven Cottage, Magath has been keen to hand first team appearances to youngsters such as Cauly Woodrow, Patrick Roberts and Dan Burn. Fulham's youth team also play their FA Youth Cup final 2nd leg tonight, holding a 3-2 advanatge from the 1st leg against Chelsea. Magath will be attendance at Stamford Bridge tonight for the 2nd leg and he has promised that he will use the academy next season as Fulham aim to bounce back into the Premeir League.
Magath said:
"The first thing for me is to look at our academy and look for players who can join us in the next season. I will be going to the Youth Cup final to start planning for the future. I don't think to do anything else except stay at Fulham and build a new team- that was the idea when I came.
"Fulham are a good club with a very good youth academy so the club have to build up not only for youth teams but build for the professionals."
"For me, it has to work; to build up a team with players partly from our academy. I am prepared for that situation. We have a lot of work because we have to change some things if Fulham will become a club which can be part of the Premier League."