Martin Jol thrilled with Dimitar Berbatov’s Fulham debut

Fulham boss Martin Jol was full of praise for new signing Dimitar Berbatov after the striker's impressive debut against West Brom

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By TSR staff Sunday 16 September 2012, 16:36 UK

Martin Jol also coached Dimitar Berbatov during his spell at TottenhamPhoto: Back Page Images

martin jol

Martin Jol was gushing with praise for Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian striker helped fire Fulham to victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The 31-year-old striker, who worked under Jol during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur, sealed a deadline-day move to the Cottagers after falling out of favour at Manchester United.

Berbatov netted twice on his Fulham debut as the Londoners eased to a 3-0 victory over West Brom at Craven Cottage – and Jol hailed the forward’s impressive display.

“I think he did more than he has ever done before in his life,” Jol said after the game. “He was at the back, he was in midfield, he was up-front and he scored a good goal so I was happy.

“We had a young bench and that is why I was so pleased with Dimitar.”

Jol moved to bring in Berbatov as talismanic striker Clint Dempsey secured a move across London to Tottenham Hotspur – and the Fulham boss is hoping his new recruit can help to fill some of the the void left by the American.

He said: “That is a challenge for him [to replace Dempsey]. I think he scored 23 goals when I had him at Spurs. I’m sure that if he is fit then he will do what Clint Dempsey did for us.”

Jol is also hoping Berbatov can help bring a “new identity” to Fulham this season. He added: “It was important because we lost our best players and our top goalscorer from the last couple of seasons, so we had to do something and create a new identity in midfield.

“My whole midfield was new, my front-line was new, [we played] a different system. I still feel we have to work hard to get the same quality as we had last year with Danny Murphy and Dembele. It was one of the best midfields in England.”