Jol tips Benitez success

28 November 2012 18:36

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes Chelsea fans' reservations over new boss Rafael Benitez will wane once the team start winning again.

Benitez was appointed Blues manager last week following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, who led the club to the Champions League and FA Cup title last season.

The former Valencia, Liverpool and Inter coach was met with boos at his first game in charge following negative remarks about Chelsea fans while in charge at Anfield.

However, Jol remains confident that disgruntled Blues fans will change their opinion of Benitez when the team start picking up points.

"I think it had more to do with Di Matteo," Jol told reporters. "He was much appreciated there because he did well as a player and, I think, he did well as a manager, to be fair.

"It was not a decision that everyone could understand so you get this sort of thing. But Rafa Benitez is a true professional who has been in this business for a long time so he is tough enough.

"I don't think I have experienced it before in my career, but of course, in England he was at Liverpool, a big club. He said probably a few things about Chelsea and I have done that in the past because you are like a chameleon.

"You get the colours of the club you are at and that is what he did so I think after a couple of wins I feel he will win them over."

Chelsea have won just one of their last six Premier League games and face Jol's Fulham side in a west London derby on Wednesday.

The Dutchman believes the clash is a 'must win' for the Blues but has dismissed concerns over his own side, who are struggling on a five-match winless streak.

He continued: "It is not only about the manager, it is about the club and winning games. Hopefully he won't start (against us).

"I feel it is a must-win game for them. They have to probably win, to have a result, otherwise that will be problematic.

"Two weeks ago they said we were on an unbeaten run of six games. We had four draws in that and the game against Sunderland came up and we had a red card so we were a bit unfortunate.

"I feel you can always lose at Stoke so we are close, but of course we have to get our winning streak back. That is what I feel, because even you get draws that is not enough because it is only one point. We have had a lot of draws."