Fulham – A smooth ride home
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
A return back home was enough to get Martin Jol to return amongst the elite of managers. He is back in the Premier League after having clinched the title with Ajax on the final day of the Eredivisie last season. Great things are expected from a team constructed on a solid and familiar background.
Manager: Jol
Tactics: 4-4-2
Players In: Kasami, Riise, Gecov
Players Out: Kamara, Greening, Pantsil, Gera
Current Probable Formation: Schwarzer, Baird, A. Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Dempsey, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff, Dembele, Zamora
Few have been the new additions to the squad but quite significant ones that went on to strengthen a squad which was only in need of time last season in order to get their engine going. Last year they had a very weak start to the season but made up for that in the second part, notching nine of their total of eleven wins starting their march as 2010 drew close to its end.
Come May they could boast the fourth best defence on level with Arsenal and trailing only the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. The backline will basically be the same as last year with ex-Liverpool and Roma left-back Riise joining the side and replacing Stephen Kelly. With Schwarzer still in between the Fulham posts it will become increasingly tough for opponents to penetrate Jol’s barrier. The problem is that options are cut short for the manager if anyone of the starters is missing, aside from Kelly who can stand in for the Norwegian.
The problem is also present in attack where the only alternative to the Dembele – Zamora duo is Andy Johnson. All three are very valid strikers though and will be wrecking havoc in many of the adversaries’ backlines. Dempsey may, however, be advanced in an attacking role if required so the shortage of personnel should be as troubling as it may turn out for the defensive department. His twelve goals last season back that reasoning.
The Cottagers’ midfield is a very solid one, well-equipped for a Premier League campaign and backed up by good reserves as well. Dempsey may be one of the wingers, playing on the opposite side of the pitch from where Duff will be making his hazardous runs into the box. The two are good goalscorers as well apart from being great at assisting the strikers. Simon Davies played a lot last season and managed to net four just like Duff. The bench may feel tight for him but he will definitely be coming on often for the team.
Etuhu should be another player who may need to fight for a place amongst the starting eleven with Sidwell and Murphy probably the preferred duo to start at the centre of the Fulham midfield. All three are quality players and have good cover up with new boy Kasami who transferred from Palermo.
The experienced Jol should help this team overcome last season’s fears, mainly that of producing little on away turf. Should they get over that and maintain their solid home form they will be improving on last season’s eighth place finish.
Predicted finishing position: 6th
The Cottagers lack the financial resources to challenge the big five but with a solid backline, well-oiled mechanisms from last season and exceptional strikers like Dembele and Zamora, the latter returning from a broken leg which kept him for most of last season on the sidelines, they can comfortably challenge for an Europa League place. All of this as long as new manager Jol does not decide to be heard-headed and tamper around with things too much. All was well with this machine. It just needs a steady and experienced driver.
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