Fulham Season Prediction: Jol's Rebuilding Will Bring Much of the Same Under New Owners

Last season

Premier League: 12th

FA Cup: Round 4

League Cup: Round 2

Top scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (15)

Summer work

With a new owner taking over at Craven Cottage this summer, the patience of Shahid Khan will likely be tested as the side continue to grow slowly but surely under manager Martin Jol. Purchases of Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who was once strongly linked to Manchester United, and gifted but occasionally difficult Adel Taraabt on loan from QPR has set the side up for a positive revamp next season.

Defenders Fernando Amorebieta and Sascha Riether (on loan last season and now a permanent signing) will provide options in the backline for Jol, while midfielder Derek Boateng will bring a wealth of experience to the side in the middle of the park after Jol was able to land the Ghana international despite much back and forth over his contract.

A pursuit of Darren Bent looks to have proven successful with Newcastle admitting today that the striker has chosen to move to another club. The former Tottenham man linking up with Berbatov will certainly give Fulham options up front.

Manager - Martin Jol

Entering his second season in charge of Fulham, Jol is slowly putting into place a squad capable of achieving more than a top half finish. His ability to attract players and plans for the future have adhered him to Cottagers' fans, and this season he will certainly be expected to not only equal last campaign's 12th place finish but to build on it. With new ownership always comes uncertainty over how the manager will fit into their plans, and the first half of the season will be Jol's chance to show Khan that he can create consistency as his side continues to gel.

Key player - Maarten Stekelenburg

Mark Schwarzer's impact on the Fulham squad last season can't be discounted, with the keeper often being the difference between important points as they fought for Premier League safety. While the Australian was a standout performer he certainly had some blunders over the season as well. With his exit, and Stekelenburg's big reputation, all eyes will be on the Holland international to shore up any problems in Fulham's backline and create a more consistent line of defence.

Expectations

Finishing in the top half of the table would be a start, and should Jol be able to bring silverware in the form of a domestic cup fans and the new owner will be more than happy. Should he find himself in a fight for the relegation zone, the manager could be handed his marching orders very quickly as is often the case during the trigger-happy period of a changeover in ownership.

Prediction

Continuing to rebuild, the side will have a disjointed season much like the last. 13th