Jol delighted with attacking reinforcements
Fulham,
Last updated:
Martin Jol's frustration at losing Pavel Pogrebnyak has been replaced by satisfaction that it led to Dimitar Berbatov joining Fulham.
Pogrebnyak scored six goals in 12 appearances during a highly successful four-month spell at Craven Cottage that ended in May.
When Reading - bankrolled by new Russian owner Anton Zingarevich - approached the free agent armed with a lucrative four-year contract, the 28-year-old rejected a permanent deal with Fulham. In-demand former Manchester United striker Berbatov has since arrived in south west London, however, and Jol believes the transfers have worked in his favour.
"I was bothered by Pavel leaving at the time but not any more," he said ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Madejski Stadium.
"I liked Pavel very much and he liked the club as well, but he made a decision. Reading made a very good offer to him and he decided to go there. It was not an easy decision for him, believe me, because I spoke to him a couple of times. But he made that choice.
"At that time I was very disappointed but later on I thought, 'if Pavel would have stayed maybe Berbatov would not have been here'. In hindsight Pavel was a good transfer for us. I would never blame him. We had a few good conversations and he did it with pain in his heart."


