Martin Jol eyes top half of table as Fulham stop rot with comeback victory

 
Giuseppe Muro25 September 2013

A first home win in nearly six months eases some of the scrutiny on Martin Jol, as Fulham prepare for what could be a defining sequence of Premier League fixtures.

Jol’s future at Craven Cottage has been questioned in recent weeks after Fulham’s run of four games without a victory. Pressure on the manager would have intensified with defeat last night but this gives Fulham a timely boost ahead of a month that could set the tone for their season.

Fulham, winless in the league since the opening day, host Cardiff on Saturday. Seven days later they entertain Stoke and a positive return from those two games would build momentum ahead of trips to Crystal Palace and Southampton in October.

But Jol, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is likely to face further questions about his future if results do not improve in the League.

Fulham go into that run of matches buoyed by a comeback victory against a previously unbeaten Everton side, thanks to second-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent.

“It is nice to get back to winning ways,” said Jol. “This was a big relief and it will give us momentum. If the mentality stays like it is, we have got two home games so hopefully we can get back in the top half of the table.”

Jol says Fulham have struggled this season because Berbatov, Bent and Adel Taarabt have not been fit. Berbatov last night returned from a hamstring injury after missing the Chelsea game, while on-loan Bent and Taarabt are still searching for full fitness following disjointed pre-seasons with Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers.

“We are having to integrate players and help them get fitness at the same time,” said Jol, who is likely to have Bryan Ruiz back to face Cardiff.

“Normally we would do that in pre-season but now we have to do it while trying to get results. That has been the problem.

“We can only get these talented players if they are not playing well. Bent did not play for a year at Villa and Adel did not play over summer. That has been the problem. We could not score enough and we needed players like Bent, who can a score goal out of nothing.”

Bent did his chances of an international recall no harm in front of the watching England manager Roy Hodgson. Jol also reserved praise for Scott Parker, another new signing looking to impress ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next summer.

Parker has become an integral part of Fulham’s midfield since joining from Tottenham in August and Jol is delighted with his influence.

“He is a leader,” said the Fulham manager. “Of course, there are other experienced players but I am very happy with his influence.

“Scott comes from another club and he tells the players if we are doing okay, or if we need more goals, or to be a bit more clever. That is what he adds to us.”

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