Jol battling against the odds

Fulham manager has a battle on his hands as striker Clint Dempsey is fined for refusing to play. Martin Jol not only has admitted that Dempsey is desperate to leave but also is trying to fend off interest in his other asset, Moussa Dembele. However, Jol has come out fighting.

Having ticked off Dembele's agent for the false story of a Real Madrid bid for his player, Jol has blasted Liverpool and Bredan Rogers for unsettling Clint Dempsey. Unsettling him? It didn't take much did it? Were we expected to believe that Dempsey was going to play out his career at Fulham after the season he has just had?

Judging by Liverpool's poor last season, it is open to debate whether Fulham or Liverpool will have the better season this time round. On one hand Rogers is hoping to bring 'The Liverpool game' back to Liverpool. On the other, Martin Jol is counting the number of star players wanting to leave Craven Cottage.

Rumours of an unbalanced dressing room last season seem to have disappeared for now, but without Dempsey's goals Fulham will struggle to match last season's performance. I personally can not see Jol lasting the season.

Jol's blast at the Merseyside club may have foundation. Liverpool have stood across the room, much like an attractive blonde, glancing invitingly at you, smiling at frequent intervals, wanting you to come over but you must make the first move. Dempsey has relented and refused to play for Fulham. A Liverpool bid is surely imminent now. Liverpool don't just need the attention unlike the blonde.

Dempsey's move is not far away but Dembele needs a more consistent season to be able to make the move away he wants. But Jol won't be counting his chickens yet until the transfer deadline has come and gone.

And then there's January.