Transfer deadline day certainly proved a productive one for Fulham as Rene Muelensteen sought to strengthen a wounded and weakened side while flushing out the dead wood.
Six players arrived at Craven Cottage in January, while slackers, Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz, and Philippe Senderos got their wishes with big moves out of southwest London. And, while some Fulham fans criticised Muelensteen for shedding the club of arguably their best talent, others have welcomed a new bunch and new direction.
Among the Lewis Holtbys and Kostas Mitroglous to have joined the Cottagers set-up, midfielder, William Kvist, somewhat slipped under the radar. News of the Denmark international’s loan move from Stuttgart went unnoticed, but he could prove a hugely influential player.
The latest live football commentary suggests that Kvist could be exactly what Fulham need to claw their way out of the relegation zone. The 28-year-old is by no means a box-to-box, dynamic playmaker capable of bypassing three defenders in a split second – but he is a steady pair of hands capable of bailing out this rapidly sinking ship.
Since their arrival in the Premier League a decade ago, the Cottagers have always had a strong central midfielder capable of breaking down play, spreading the ball and – importantly – instructing others forward.
Luis Boa Morte was replaced by Papa Bouba Diop before Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu took over the central reins. Now fans see Scott Parker in there with very little physical presence besides.
Murphy, in particular, is the type of player Fulham fans will recognise in Kvist. The former FC Copenhagen captain has confidence in his passing play and is likely to look for runners down the wings when he’s in possession. The Dane is calm under pressure and that’s vital to Fulham’s cause.
Of course, fans who enjoy football betting know that Fulham’s efforts to beat the drop cannot rest on one man and Kvist on his own won’t turn their fortunes around. Indeed, he was at fault for Southampton’s opening goal last weekend – but his presence offers freedom for Holtby, Clint Dempsey and Parker to progress through the middle.
He is the kind of stable, no nonsense professional a team combating relegation need and Fulham can expect to haul in some important points – especially at home – with Kvist in the side.
