Source: Team_Talk
Jol confirms Jerome bid
Fulham boss Martin Jol has revealed an injury scare to Bobby Zamora was behind his failed attempt to sign Cameron Jerome from Birmingham.[LNB] Jol confirmed the Cottagers had this week seen a bid rejected for Blues striker Jerome, which was understood to be in the region of £3million.[LNB]Dutchman Jol has been at Fulham for less than two months but it has taken him no time at all to recognise the importance of Zamora.[LNB]The 29-year-old missed half of last season with a broken leg and the Cottagers took months to get over his absence, during which they were sucked into the Barclays Premier League drop zone.[LNB]There was a wake-up call for Jol last week when the striker suffered another break, although luckily this time it was only his hand.[LNB]Jol said: "If it would've been his foot, we would've had a problem, and that is why we made a bid for this other striker."[LNB]He added: "We made a bid we thought was realistic, and they rejected that, so that was that."[LNB]Jol admitted 24-year-old Jerome did not boast a particularly impressive goalscoring record, but said: "He's good in the air, quick, and he would be a good back-up for Bobby."[LNB]Those qualities are not enough for Fulham to up their bid, according to Jol, despite City's hierarchy being willing to consider selling for the right price.[LNB]It nevertheless seems a certainty the Cottagers will continue to hunt for an understudy for a player who was their talisman during their run to the Europa League final just over a year ago.[LNB]Zamora suffered his latest injury in last Thursday's third qualifying round first leg at RNK Split after someone stood on his hand.[LNB]He will wear a cast for the next few weeks but it will not prevent him playing and he is in line to start tomorrow's return leg against Split at Craven Cottage.[LNB]There has been speculation linking Zamora with a return to Tottenham in a swap deal with Peter Crouch but Jol dismissed it.[LNB]He added: "Bobby Zamora is probably one of the most gifted players in England as a number nine."[LNB]He also insisted Fulham had made no offer for ADO Den Haag duo Wesley Verhoek and Lex Immers and said he had no interest in signing Newcastle outcast Joey Barton.[LNB]Jol has already signed two new midfielders in Marcel Gecov and Pajtim Kasami, both of whom were officially unveiled today.[LNB]The Fulham boss said: "Marcel Gecov is a Danny Murphy type of player, who can play a little bit more advanced as well.[LNB]"He's a ginger but he's a real ginger - he's very versatile, he can play, he can tackle as well.[LNB]"Pajtim is a very talented player, gifted player."[LNB]Swiss youngster Kasami, who listed Zinedine Zidane as his hero, returned the compliment, saying: "Martin Jol is the reason I'm here."[LNB]Czech Republic Under-21 international Gecov added: "I'm looking to contribute as much as I can. I'll definitely work hard for it."[LNB]Kasami made his debut as a substitute last Thursday and both he and Gecov could be involved in the squad again tomorrow.[LNB]Fulham drew the first leg 0-0 and need to win to reach the play-off round.[LNB]They will need to play a lot better than last week, according to Jol, who said: "We were, of course, satisfied with the result, but I was not happy with the performance.[LNB]"But now we play at home. I think we've got more confidence at home and we will change a few things in our approach."[LNB]
