Martin Jol confident Fulham can beat West Ham tonight

Fulham manager knows the need to pick up home points

Martin Jol knows it is “vital” for Fulham to start picking up wins at Craven Cottage, starting with West Ham this evening.

After a bright start to the season the Cottagers have tailed off dramatically, winning just two of their last 15 league games.

That poor run of form has seen them drop to 14th in the Premier League standings and just five points off the relegation zone after last night's results.

Jol is hoping for a change in fortunes today when Fulham take on the Hammers - a match the Dutchman expects three points from.

"Of course we have to feel confident because it is a home game," he told Fulham TV

"It's important for us that we pick up the points from home games, especially against the teams around us. That is vital.

"So it is a different game but we had a good spell before losing at Man City - two away wins, two home draws.

"Of course you want more but we were still unbeaten and then we went to Man City and it is not easy to play against these teams."

Jol will be looking for a vastly improved performance to that which Fulham produced in September, when West Ham romped to a 3-0 win at Upton Park.

"We have to try and dominate the game," he said. "Against West Ham you can expect the same that they did at home, you know?

"They play from the back with support players like Mohamed Diame and Kevin Nolan.

"Maybe Andy Carroll will be back and Marouane Chamakh is back - they did some good business in the transfer window.

"We have to come up with different answers and the right answers.

"If we do that, I feel we are good enough to get some wins under out belt at home, certainly home against opposition like West Ham."

Jol is hoping to bring in some new faces before the transfer window closes tomorrow, with reports suggesting AC Milan's Urby Emanuelson could be on the way.

The only first-team addition so far this month has been Emmanuel Frimpong, who has joined on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.

"Of course you want to do your business in the first week of January, but we are now in the last days," Jol said.

"That is not what you want but I can assure you we worked ever so hard and we would like to have a few quality players.

"As for Frimpong, I know this guy. I saw him play in the reserves, play for Wolves and at Charlton. He is a warrior.

"I think we don't only need back-up players, I think we need players that can play and be good off the ball."

PA