Jol ready for vital month

The Cottagers have struggled for consistency over the course of the campaign, thanks in no small part to their attempts to juggle domestic and European exertions.

Fulham's attention is now squarely on the Premier League and they will hope to increase their seven-point gap over the drop zone when they welcome Stoke to Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Jol has highlighted the match and the three that follow - QPR, Wolves and Aston Villa - as vital if they are to build momentum and further their hopes of survival.

When asked whether the next four weeks are the most crucial, the Dutchman said: "Yes, because we want to get a bigger gap over the bottom three.

"Hopefully we can do that against the teams around us. It will be a challenge because we haven't done that before because we are quite inconsistent.

Terrific

"But, on the other hand, if you have nine draws that is pretty consistent. That said, I think we should have won five or six of those.

"If we would have done that and scored more goals in the right moments, we would be in a terrific position."

While wary of the threat Stoke pose, Jol indicated Tony Pulis' side themselves may have a physical presence to deal with in the form of Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The Russia international joined on transfer deadline day from Stuttgart and could get his first taste of English football on Saturday.

"He came in on Wednesday and made a good impression, which is good," Jol said.

"Everybody is looking after him so, although it is always difficult to start in the Premier League, mentally he is up for it and he looks fit.

"I hope he brings us goals. That is always important for any team because we have other qualities around him."