Fulham

Following Mark Hughes' decision to leave his post as manager at the end of the season, Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed faced his second summer in a row searching for a new gaffer. This time though, long term target Martin Jol did arrive following his stint in his native Holland with Ajax. An impressive 8th place finish last term puts the pressure on right away, and we all know Al Fayed can have an itchy trigger finger at times.

Goalkeeper

Another solid keeper graces the pitch at Craven Cottage, and rumours of a move seemed to have calmed down this summer following last years intensity. As it now looks like Mark Schwarzer will stay another year at least it isn't too problematic, while a new back up has been brought in already this summer.

Defence

Never really been a problem at the club, and they still have the solid backline that former manager Roy Hodgson breathed so much confidence into. Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos are big imposing centre half's, while they now have flair at the left side with new signing John Arne Riise.

Midfield


Here Fulham could maybe be lacking that bit of quality needed in the centre of park. Captain Danny Murphy has been a terrific servant but he isn't getting any younger, out wide though they are solid. Flair players Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey, one of the Premier League's most underrated, continue to perform fantastically.

Forwards

If as widely expected Andy Johnson moves onto pastures new, another body would be needed up top. Moussa Dembele and Bobby Zamroa, and Dempsey who can in he forward positions, can't carry the burden themselves. It is widely known that a Premiership team needs four solid front men.

Manager

Jol is still very well liked through England, and many fans still aren't impressed with the way he was let go by Spurs. Including many Spurs fans themselves. He has plenty of experience, and could be another little gem at the Cottage.

Areas to Strengthen

Another midfield player of real quality wouldn't go a miss in the side, neither would an added striker. Other than that it could be a matter of adding a little strength in depth.

Expectations

Fulham are another side that due to over performing, expectations have risen. A top half finish will be the least that is expected, and a decent showing in Europe would cheer the faithful up no end.

Odds

2000/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Bryan Ruiz undisclosed (Twente Enschede)Csaba Somogyi free (Rakospalotai) John Arne Riise £2m (Roma) Marcel Gecov £700,000 (Slovan Liberec) Dan Burn undisclosed (Darlington) Pajtim Kasami undisclosed (Palermo) Tom Donegan free (Everton) Orlando Sa free Zdenek Grygera loan (Juventus)

Players out

Jonathan Greening £600,000 (Nottingham Forest) Kagisho Dikgacoi undisclosed (Crystal Palace)  Zoltan Gera, Eddie Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, John Pantsil, Matthew Saunders, Matthew Reece (all released) David Stockdale loan (Ipswich Town) Carlos Salcido loan (Tigres) Keanu Marsh-Brown and Lauri Dalla Valle loan (Dundee United) Rafik Halliche loan (Swansea City)

Transfer flops: Steve Marlet

Arriving at Craven Cottage on the crest of a wave back in 2001, Steve Marlet was somewhat seen as the marquee signing to take Fulham to the next level.

Some years, millions of pounds and a court case later, and the French winger is remembered as one of the biggest Premier League flops.

After starting out at amateur French side Red Star in 1991, he made the step up to the big time with Auxerre after five years at the club.

At this point Marlet's career seeming to be heading in the right direction, with a switch to Lyon materialising in 2000.

The Premier League came knocking a year later, and Les Gones sold up after only a season.

Jean Tignan, then manager, paid £11.5 to secure the signing and expectation began to rise.

In fours year at Craven Cottage however Marley only mustered just over half a century of appearances, and a handful of goals.

There was also a loan spell at Marseille during this time, lasting two seasons.

In 2005 his nightmare in England came to and end and he signed for Wolfsburg, but for Tigana the nightmare was just beginning.

After some expensive, and terrible, signings Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed became suspicious of who was now his former manager.

The millionaire started proceeding against Tignana claiming he was pocketing a share of transfers, hence the large fees shelled out.

Courts however found in favour of the former manager, who after a brief break slipped over to Europe to continue his managerial career.

Marlet however slipped into obscurity, he managed just one season in Germany before joining Lorient back in his native France.

One solitary season later and he was back on his way, taking a few years out of the game.

After a few unsuccessful trails he Marlet found his way back to the amateur leagues, plying his trade for CM Aubervilliers.