Darren Bent backed to provide Fulham with cutting edge

Pajtim Kasami expects new arrival to make a difference

Fulham striker Darren Bent (GETTY IMAGES)

Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami is backing the club's new striker Darren Bent to help give them more of a cutting edge in attack.

Bent, who has joined from Aston Villa on a season-long loan, came on to make his Cottagers debut in Saturday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal and netted the final goal of a contest the hosts lost 3-1.

Speaking ahead of tonight's Capital One Cup second-round tie at Sky Bet League Two outfit Burton, Kasami told Fulham's official website: "It (the Arsenal result) was maybe a bit harsh on us but it was quite a hard game.

"Obviously we're disappointed with the result.

"You would probably have to say that Arsenal's cutting edge was the difference.

"After they went 1-0 up, we had a couple of chances and could have scored, but we didn't take those chances and, in the end, were made to pay for that.

"But we have got a good blend of different styles in there.

"We're a very strong team and then up front you of course have Darren Bent and everyone knows what he is capable of - he's a well-known striker and we all know how good he is and I think he will help us a lot this season.

"Now we just have to forget about the Arsenal game and just keep looking forward to the next match."

Prior to the 2013-14 campaign, Kasami had made just three Premier League starts for Fulham following his move from Italian side Palermo in 2011.

He has certainly played a full part so far this term, though, being on the field for the entire duration of the 1-0 victory at Sunderland on the opening day of the top-flight season and scoring the winner, his first Cottagers goal.

The 21-year-old Macedonia-born Switzerland youth international also played for the whole of the Arsenal match, and Kasami admits he is delighted with how things are going for him.

"Of course the Sunderland and Arsenal results were completely different," said Kasami, who had a spell on loan at Swiss club Lucerne last season.

"But personally I'm happy with my development and how I'm doing.

"I'm just continuing to work hard and I'm always looking forward to the next game."

Fulham boss Martin Jol has said he will make "a few changes" for the Burton match and mentioned forward Hugo Rodallega and midfielder Ashkan Dejagah, two players who have not had any Premier League game time so far this term, specifically.

PA