A misfiring front line is just one problem for Fulham boss Martin Jol

4 October 2013

Martin Jol's position at Fulham has come under increasing scrutiny after a poor start to the season and defeat against Stoke will leave him fearing the worst.

Jol looks to be on borrowed time at Craven Cottage after four points from their opening six games have left Fulham third from bottom.

If the Dutchman is to avoid becoming the second Premier League managerial casualty of the season, he needs to arrest a slide that has seen a new campaign start as the old one ended.

Fulham finished last season on a dismal run, losing five successive games before beating Swansea on the final day. At the time not too much was read into the slump but results have not improved and they have now won only two of their last 14 Premier League fixtures.

Fulham are also without a home win in the League for more than six months — since a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers on April 1 — and Jol, whose contract expires this summer, has taken most of the flak.

It has not helped that Dimitar Berbatov (below) and Darren Bent have scored only one League goal between them this season. The pair have only made two starts together since Bent joined on loan from Aston Villa and Fulham desperately need Jol’s preferred front pair to start firing.

Berbatov, who has struggled with a hamstring injury and is without a goal this season, is crucial to making Fulham tick. Jol has been criticised for his over-reliance on the Bulgarian but things could quickly fall into place around him if he can rediscover his best form. Bent still looks short of match sharpness.

Jol also has to find a way of fitting Adel Taarabt into a system that includes the creative Bryan Ruiz, while giving enough protection to a defence that looks exposed.

Defensive problems need to be addressed with late lapses proving costly against Newcastle, West Brom and Cardiff.

They look vulnerable without the injured Aaron Hughes and Maarten Stekelenburg, who both remain sidelined for tomorrow. Jol has Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell to shield his back four but there is a lack of protection in wide areas.

Much has been made of Fulham’s ageing squad but their experience should be an advantage when trying to arrest the slide, starting tomorrow against a Stoke side, who have lost their last two following a bright start.

Home supporters turned on Jol after last Saturday’s defeat by Cardiff and, while new owner Shahid Khan has backed his manager so far, patience is not a trait often associated with Premier League owners.

A negative result tomorrow could seal his fate but Bent insists the squad remains united. He said: “We know we have more to give, and I think we have seen glimpses of that so far. It is just a case of it coming together for us. We all share that belief. It is a good group here and we are in it together. That is really important.”

Tomorrow also sees Mark Hughes return to Craven Cottage for the first time since resigning as Fulham manager in 2011. Hughes left under a cloud after less than a year in charge and now admits he probably made a mistake resigning.

The Stoke manager said: “When I was there I had a few doubts over what kind of investment would be made available to strengthen the team. Almost immediately after I left they started investing in good players and spending some money, so I probably got that wrong.”

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A misfiring front line is just one problem for Fulham boss Martin Jol

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