Window Shopping: Heading into January Fulham were in precarious territory in 16th place, two points above the drop. Failing to earn a single league point throughout all of January the Cottagers now find themselves bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety.
The situation required Fulham to boost their striker ranks, add some creative midfielders and provide depth to the back line. And they managed to do so in purchasing Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou and bringing in a number of key loan deals in Clint Dempsey, William Kvist, Lewis Holtby and Johnny Heitinga.
Players In: Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos, £12m), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, Loan), William Kvist (Stuttgart, Loan), Lewis Holtby (Tottenham, Loan), John Heitinga (Everton, Loan), Ryan Tunnicliffe (Manchester United, Undisclosed), Larnell Cole (Manchester United, Undisclosed).
Players Out: Stephen Arthurworrey (Tranmere, Loan), Marcus Bettinelli (Accrington Stanley, Loan), Jack Grimmer (Port Vale, Loan), Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, Loan), Aaron Hughes (QPR, Loan), Dimitar Berbatov (Monaco, Loan), Philipe Senderos (Valencia, Undisclosed).
RECAP: All the deals on deadline day
Grade: A-
New manager René Meulensteen had his work cut out for him entering January and arguably did more to change his side’s fate than any other manager in the Premier League. The acquisition of Mitroglou gives the Cottagers a proven, physically-imposing and skillful striker who looks tailor-made for the Premier League.
In Holtby, they’ve acquired a bright-spirited, creative midfielder who’s hungry to prove himself to both his parent club, Spurs, and his national team, Germany. The lanky William Kvist looks a real find as well while Dempsey provides experience and added depth, even if he looks off the pace so far. Heitinga provides depth to the back line although he’s not the kind of game-changing defender fans would’ve hope to bring in.
Meulensteen showed a keen eye for the future as well, signing Manchester United youngsters Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole. But perhaps the most important move the Dutch manager made was to rid his side of cancers, Adel Taraabt and Dimitar Berbatov. Both players, while talented, looked completely disinterested at Craven Cottage and had to go. Sending the underpeforming Bryan Ruiz out on loan was also a smart decision.
Talent-wise, there’s little question Fulham should stay up. Now fans have to hope Meulensteen has assembled the right cast of characters to keep the club in England’s top-flight.