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Fulham manager Martin Jol is understandably very keen to extend Russian-international Pavel Pogrebnyak’s stay at Craven Cottage beyond the end of the season.
The former Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow hitman was signed on deadline day in January from German side Vfb Stuttgart. Pogrebnyak was enduring a difficult period at the Mercedes-Benz Arena before Jol offered him an escape route.
His impact has been incredible so far, scoring five goals in just 236 minutes of Premier League action, including a perfect hat-trick in Sunday’s 5-0 mauling of Wolves.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Jol had this to say:
‘In January you will never get the £10million player because nobody will sell them… After five goals in the three games, I have to say he is a pretty good signing for us.
A wise foray into the loan market from the Dutchman then, and Jol no doubt be keen to make the Russians stay at Fulham permanent this summer.
Some Fulham fans will undoubtedly have been worrying with Bobby Zamora departing for QPR, but Pogrebnyak’s instant impact has allayed any fears regarding their strikeforce.
Clint Dempsey scored a brace more on Sunday in what has been the American forwards best season in a Fulham jersey. This paired with Andy Johnson’s impressive form, mean Fulham fans need not fret.
Three wins in a row have seen The Cottagers climb up to eighth position, and Europa League Qualification is now a real possibility.
It was almost two years ago this month since they were wowing the world with fantastic European performances, including that memorable 4-1 thrashing of Italian giants Juventus.
Fulham nearly went all the way that year, eventually losing to Atletico Madrid in the final. While many assumed this was just a flash in the pan, Fulham could well be doing it all again next year.
Meanwhile, following their massive loss against Jol’s men, Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves in all sorts of trouble.
Currently on an abysmal run of form that has seen them pick up just two wins in their last thirteen, interim boss Terry Connor faces a real uphill task to keep Wolves in the top flight.
