Martin Jol now regrets starting record signing Bryan Ruiz in Fulham's disappointing Barclays Premier League draw with Blackburn on Sunday. The 26 year old was hauled off at half-time after failing to cope with the pace of the English game.
Jol said: "In hindsight, I would have started Mousa (Dembele) and then brought him on because he's good when there's a lot of pressure on the goal, space in the box, and Bryan Ruiz probably would have given us a lot second half."
Jol added: "It's always difficult - if you come to the Premier League - your first game. I wouldn't say it's a gamble but you have to start somewhere and that was a decision we had to make and I made the decision to play him.
"But, of course, it's a different tempo and he lost the ball a couple of times."
Explaining the decision to substitute the Costa Rica star, Jol said: "You felt in the first half that there was some pressure from the crowd because they expect a lot and I thought it was better for him and probably better for us because he has to cope with English football and you can't expect him, after two days, to be in his prime."
