Fulham: Will Dimitar Berbatov Find Happiness At Craven Cottage?

th hour and decided rekindle his relationship with Martin Jol, the man who brought him to English football for Tottenham Hotspur in 2006. Berbatov€™s stint at Tottenham was the last time the footballing world witnessed a true display of the Bulgarian€™s unquestionable talent, where he managed twenty-three goals in the two seasons he spent at White Hart Lane, bamboozling opposition defences with his deft touch, guileful movement, and a penchant for the spectacular. So when United came calling it was no surprise to see Berbatov seal the career-defining move he had been dreaming of since boyhood. Unfortunately, the journey up North proved to be, all in all, a disappointment, as Berbatov struggled to impose himself on the biggest stage of them all, the Champions League, not to mention his toils in the domestic league where his manner and panache were never accepted by the United supporters who frequently criticised the player€™s ability to adapt to the team€™s rapid, counter-attacking football. What Berbatov needed was appreciation, as it became evident that his sporting psychology could be fragile at times, his confidence dwindling when things were not going his way. Under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson, players are expected to be combative and ruthless in nature, but Berbatov was a different sort; a man who played with balletic grace, a man of few words, and a man not of the Ferguson mould. He was initially dubbed as the club€™s answer to Eric Cantona, but it was just not meant to be, and Berbatov found himself kicking his heels on the sidelines, painfully rejected by the manager who had pulled so many strings to sign him. At Fulham however, it appears that Berbatov has rediscovered the adoration he craves, and it couldn€™t have came sooner enough. He is now a big fish once again, the focal point of a team that was in need of a star after having lost Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, and so far he has not disappointed. Berbatov€™s home debut was like watching a resurrection, as he dictated the play with all the majesty of old, bagging himself a brace in the process. He was in swashbuckling form; a spring in his step, head raised defiantly, ready to take the centre stage once again. In the following game against Wigan, he was equally as influential, partnering effectively with the pace of Hugo Rodallega to overcome The Latics. This time around, Berbatov played the role of the benefactor, bringing his team-mates into play by utilising his insightful vision and threading delicate passes throughout the match. When the final whistle blew the only gloss taken off of his overall display was the lack of a goal, but Fulham fans will not be so quick to slate him as those at Old Trafford, and his playmaking efforts were gratefully acknowledged. This season could be one of Berbatov€™s finest yet if he can stay fit and in a positive frame of mind, for when he is enjoying his football the results are there for all to see. On his day, Berbatov can compete with some of the world€™s finest centre-forwards and never look out of place, mesmerising opponents and fans alike with wizardry and craft, and hopefully Fulham will provide him with the sanctuary he deserves. If he can maintain his early season form, other clubs who spurned the opportunity to sign him will be feeling very foolish indeed, particularly Liverpool who are in dire need of a man to spearhead their attack. It is now up to Berbatov to prove to his doubters that he has the mettle to overcome the acrimony on the terraces and the barriers set in his path to redemption; if he succeeds, the whole of football is going to know about it.