Dimitar Berbatov pulls all the strings as he orchestrates vital Fulham win

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11 December 2012

To call Fulham a one-man team would be disrespectful to those players not wearing No9 on the back of their shirts but who give their all for the club and their supporters.

Yet it is hard to disagree with manager Martin Jol when he admits that his side “could have ended up with a little problem” had Dimitar Berbatov decided to base himself somewhere other than Craven Cottage this season.

With Jol having lost the creative talents of Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Danny Murphy in the summer transfer market, and with Bryan Ruiz sidelined yet again, this time with a hamstring injury that will keep him out until the New Year, only Berbatov’s audacious talent is separating his side from a relegation fight.

The Bulgarian was at it again against Newcastle last night as a full repertoire of flicking, feinting and ball juggling inspired a first win in eight Premier League games. All that was missing was the contribution of a goal towards a 2-1 victory that lifts Fulham seven points clear of the drop zone.

“He should have scored,” said Jol, remembering in particular Berbatov going one on one with Tim Krul but firing at the goalkeeper rather than past him after Steve Sidwell’s 20-yard shot, deflected by Mike Williamson, had looped into the Newcastle net off the bar in the 19th minute.

But Jol added: “Berbatov worked ever so hard. He was all over the pitch trying to link up [play]. Maybe he covered more ground than ever before. The good thing about my squad is that they realise Berbatov is an outstanding player and that when Ruiz is not there he is keeping us together.”

In the absence of Ruiz, Jol has asked Berbatov to drop deeper and become what the Dutchman calls “a lower number 10”. It is a role the player relishes. In his first interview since joining Fulham in August, published in last night’s programme, Berbatov said: “People don’t understand that I am a born number 10.

“They see me as a striker because that’s where I’ve played all my life. But I have no problem playing in midfield. Football is not so difficult and if you use your brain then you have no problems. If I need to play in a number 10 role or more in the middle of the park I will gladly do this because I like playing with the ball. I like to get more touches, control the game and, like in music, orchestrate.”

That is all very well but it is no good being an exalted conductor if the orchestra is out of tune. At times, that seems to be the case with Fulham as Berbatov’s team-mates struggle to make the same sweet music as the maestro in their midst.

Hugo Rodallega headed Fulham’s 63rd-minute winner, his first goal at Craven Cottage, but too often the Colombian failed to read Berbatov’s thought and movement.Alex Kacaniklic was another who struggled to keep pace with Berbatov. Fortunately, others at least matched their playmaker for toil and sweat.

“Sidwell is getting better and better, and Chris Baird gave 100 per cent,” said Jol. He also acknowledged the return of Brede Hangeland to Fulham’s defence following a three-match ban, saying: “We’ve really missed him.”

Jol ought to have mentioned, too, the contribution made by right-back Sascha Riether. He twice was in the right place to clear off the line before Hatem Ben Arfa left Mark Schwarzer flat footed with a dipping 54th-minute shot.

But to Berbatov went star billing. Jol was asked if he had witnessed all of the player’s tricks. “We had this discussion in training,” he replied. “I told him probably the only thing I never saw him do was score from an overhead kick.”

Watch for it at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Anything is possible.

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Dimitar Berbatov pulls all the strings as he orchestrates vital Fulham win

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