Jol wants flair at Fulham

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Martin Jol has promised to bring style to Craven Cottage this season.

The Dutchman is Fulham’s third manager in as many years, and is back in England after spells with Hamburg and Ajax.

A fans’ favourite when in charge of Tottenham, the 55-year-old is now looking to build an exciting team in West London.

“I want to develop a solid team with experience, but I also want a bit of flair,” Jol told West London Sport.

“Even in the next few weeks, with the players we have and new signings, we will get an exciting team.”

Thanks to Fulham’s disciplinary record last term, Jol has an early start to the season in the form of the Europa League – a tournament close to the Cottagers’ hearts after their journey to the final in 2010. 

After a comfortable win over NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands, their next stop was Belfast and IFA Premiership runners-up Crusaders, who they beat 3-1.

While European football is an added bonus for Fulham this season, Jol’s main priority is their domestic form and, in particular, improving their away results.

“I always wanted to sign Andy Johnson and now he is in my team.”

And although Tottenham’s Robbie Keane is reported to be top of his transfer wishlist, Jol has faith in his current strike partnership – fitness permitting.

“Last season there were plenty of draws [16, nine of them away],” he said.

“Away from home, you have to score goals. That was occasionally a problem for us but we’ll try to solve that problem for this season.

“We need goalscorers. Andy Johnson was terrific against Crusaders but he has to score goals, and if he does that, then we have a terrific partnership.

“Hopefully Bobby Zamora will stay fit. He didn’t last year and played maybe only half the games. Andy also had his problems with injuries, but if they stay fit, I’ll be pleased.

“In the past, I always wanted to sign Andy Johnson and now he is in my team, so I am happy about that.”

He added:  “Our first target is to stay in the Premier League.

“Last season, even though we were eighth, there was only three or four points’ difference with 14th and 15th place.

“With our team and all our experience, and new players coming in, we want to get as high as possible.”