Transition time for Fulham but Dimitar Berbatov gives hope

Considering the loss of influential midfield pair Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey to Tottenham in August, this was always going to be a season of transition.

Martin Jol was forced to sign a number of free agents and loan players but a second successive mid-table finish meets pre-season expectations.

Fulham managed nine fewer points than last year but were never really in danger of relegation, despite only one win from their final eight Premier League games. Dimitar Berbatov’s £5million summer move from Manchester United was one of the bargains of the season, with the former Tottenham striker scoring 15 goals.

Martin Jol: 6 out of 10

A decent job on a tight budget. Fulham say Jol, contracted until 2014, will stay next season despite speculation linking Gus Poyet with his position.

Best player: Dimitar Berbatov

Best signing: Dimitar Berbatov (£5m from Man Utd)

Who/what they need in the summer

Jol faces a rebuilding job this summer with nine first-team players out of contract at Craven Cottage. A goalkeeper is a priority, with the 40-year-old Mark Schwarzer yet to agree a new deal, and a midfield playmaker will also be high on the manager’s wish list. Jol wants to inject youth into an ageing squad, while keeping hold of Dimitar Berbatov is absolutely imperative.