Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes new man Pavel Pogrebnyak has the ability to become Bobby Zamora's successor at Craven Cottage.
Keeper believes new signing could be the next Bobby Zamora
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes new man Pavel Pogrebnyak has the ability to become Bobby Zamora's successor at Craven Cottage.
The 28-year-old netted on his Fulham debut as they beat Stoke 2-1 at home to move into 12th ahead of their opponents on goal difference with both accumulating 30 points so far.
The Craven Cottage faithful had been left wondering where their next goals would be coming from following the deadline day sale of frontman Zamora to Queens Park Rangers.
However, with a goal on his first appearance, Pogrebnyak lifted Fulham's hopes and Schwarzer believes the Russia international has what it takes to fill the gap left by Zamora, who scored 20 goals in his four-year spell at the club.
Difficult
"It's always difficult when you lose big players and Zamora scored a lot of goals and his link-up play was invaluable," he told the
Daily Star.
"Time will tell. Pavel has had one game and the signs are positive. In training he has been very good but it will take someone special to replace Bobby in the long term.
"Pavel has all the attributes to do that. We're confident he can get better and better. He looks very good and has fitted in easily. His work-rate was excellent and, although you probably didn't see his ability on the ball, his finish was top class.
"His English is not bad but there's a lot of nodding at the moment. He speaks a bit of German and a few of us do too. Communication is not an issue at all."
Credentials
Meanwhile Fulham boss Martin Jol was also impressed by the performance of Pogrebnyak and remains confident he will be able to adapt to the English style of play.
"He played in the Bundesliga, he played for Zenit," he added. "He loved the idea of coming to England and we were the only club that gave him that opportunity.
"I knew his credentials were good and felt he could do well here. But he's not the brother of Pele, if you know what I mean.
"We sent a fitness coach to work with him while we were waiting for a work permit and it was a good deal for us both.
"He's sort of in the shop window and, from what we've seen of him so far, he looks fit for the Premier League."
