Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/221559
23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2013 OPINION Jol put out of his misery Flair players like Adel Taarabt will be the first to suffer on bad form as they rely on a positive energy to get about their tasks and when their average line up age is over 30 it really is hard to get going. Many supporters are not surprised by Martin Jol's dismissal and though it is never nice to see a manager losing his job I do feel the timing was right for Fulham. Martin Jol in my eyes is a good manager with a good grasp of the game and a decorated CV to go with it however in my eyes his time was up due to the rot that was developing within his squad. His replacement Meulensteen has plenty of experience as a coach and assistant and a new step for him will bring about a period of excitement to the club. The 49 year old comes in as manager after just three weeks in the background and will enjoy a baptism of fire as Fulham host Tottenham Hotspurs on Wednesday night. Both clubs are looking to bounce back from bad runs, with Spurs doing well to grab a home draw against United last Sunday. Their previous encounter in the league was a 6-0 drubbing of Manchester City and a win would dispel any negative sprits that are lying around. Despite their prior drubbing Spurs looked solid against Manchester United on Sunday and I do feel they are due three points. From a tactical standpoint it will be interesting to see which mentality Rene adapts in his first game for Mark Strijbosch MARTIN Jol has become the first Premier League casualty after his dismissal following Fulham's devastating 3-0 defeat to West Ham United last Saturday. Fulham had high hopes for this season however their chances of reaching mid table are diminishing following a six game losing streak by the Cottagers. Martin Jol's men have only managed three wins in the campaign so far and the sour taste at the club remains. A poor run of form has a contagious effect and a fresh face in charge might help change fortunes. Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has now taken over Fulham following a brief spell as Jol's assistant and with Fulham in the bottom three it is fair to say his work is cut out. It is hard to tell where it all went wrong for Jol, however I have always had the feeling he was fielding squads too old for the Premier League and they often looked defeated and tired before the whistle had even blown. They have heaps of experience in their squad which will help them get themselves out of the bottom three however I do think Fulham lack any flair. Dark horses Martin Jol Fulham. Spurs are a side packed with flair and can pack a punch. Should Meulensteen opt to set out his stall to defend his home supporters might be disappointed however risking against a fast team like Spurs can cost dear. He needs to squeeze a good performance out of his lads on Wednesday to ensure he starts his campaign on a positive note. Now these dark horses have white stripes. 13 games into the season and Newcastle United are back punching above their weight, sitting comfortably in sixth, only eight points away from Arsenal at the top. It has been a solid, quiet start for Alan Pardew's men and they are picking points where they matter most: from teams around them in the table. Just above them in fifth we have Everton who have in my eyes been the team to beat this season. Unbeaten at home, the toffees are thriving in their new lease of life under Roberto Martinez and have lost their reputation of being a defensive side. Their past playing methods have been inherited by Manchester United who are sat still in eighth position so far. Everton hit four past Stoke on Saturday in a very one sided game where they could have won by double figures were it not for the Stoke goalie Begovic. My only worry for the Blues is that they are relying heavily on three loan players after Martinez brought in Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku for the season. They also shipped in Gerard Deolefeu from Barcelona and just you all wait and see: we will be hearing that name more and more often as this kid is destined for an amazing career at Barcelona in the future. Pursuits Across 3. 30 minutes (4-4) 9. Mature (5) 10. Writing fluid (3) 11. Conclusion (3) 12. Device for controlling speed (11) 14. Eyeglasses (5) 16. Furnace (4) 17. Fabulous story-teller 19. Calculate (6) 20. Breach (3) 22. Boneless slice of meat (6) 23. Male duck (5) 25. Departed (4) 26. Science fiction (3-2) 28. Pterosaur (11) 30. Wreath of flowers (3) 31. Sticky substance (3) 32. Rips (5) 33. Beaten egg dish (8) Sudoku Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday Last week's solution Chess Today's Weather 8 8 WEATHER Partly to rather cloudy with isolated showers VISIBILITY: Good WIND: Northeast force 4 to 5 locally force 5 to 6 becoming force 4 overnight SEA: 7 Moderate to rough SWELL: Low Easterly 6 7 5 6 4 3 5 2 1 4 A 3 2 1 A B C D E F G H White to play and mate in four moves B Nb1 Ke2 Rc1 Rc8# C D E c3 c2 cxb1=Q F G H PARTLY CLOUDY 17ºC / 10ºC UV INDEX: w SEA TEMP: 20 °C Down 1. US space agency (4) 2. Quickly (7) 4. Frightening (8) 5. Attach firmly (6) 6. Spend more than one can afford (9) 7. Crest (5) 8. Jumps rope (5) 13. Variety of celery (8) 15. Earthenware (8) 18. Cliff face (9) 21. Locate exactly (8) 24. Person who owns a ranch (7) 25. Breathe with difficulty (6) 26. Soaked (5) 27. Eskimo dwelling (5) 29. Whip (4)