Jol happy Fulham in better shape
Fulham manager Martin Jol has insisted signing Darren Bent was not a gamble after the striker scored on his debut on Saturday.
The 13-time England international briefly played under the Dutchman at Tottenham before moving to Sunderland and Aston Villa, before falling out of favour under Paul Lambert last season.
Christian Benteke's emergence at Villa Park left Bent on the fringes of the first team, but Jol has no doubts over the striker's ability after notching against Arsenal and is expecting much more from his latest recruit.
"If you take players when they're in a bad situation but know the potential, you always hope you're the one who will get the maximum out of that potential," Jol is quoted as saying.
"With other players it's always a gamble but if you look at his record he scores goals. Even when he's not playing he scores goals!
"When I was at Tottenham he scored nine and Jermain Defoe got 12 and I can't even remember Darren playing.
"His record at Aston Villa was at least one in three. If you play him regularly, one in two or one in one-and-a-half games."
Jol will be hoping the 29-year-old can add to his tally when Fulham take on Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday before going after their first league win of the season at Newcastle on Saturday.