Hodgson will hold back on signings

LONDON, England -- New Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is not over anxious to spend money in the January transfer window as he starts the tough task of trying to keep the struggling London side in the English Premier League.

Hodgson, who will be in charge for the first time when Fulham face near neighbors Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, said: "I would like to avoid going out now and making wholesale changes and then finding out the ones we have brought in are no better.

"The most important thing is to know the squad fully and not just see them playing from the stand. It's important to work hard with the players here to try to improve the situation.

"The transfer window is an important time of the year, and if the right type of players come along I know I have the support of the board to move into that market.

"But at the moment my focus is on Chelsea tomorrow."

Hodgson relishes the challenge facing him at Fulham but does not feel he has to particularly prove himself in England.

"Why should I need to prove myself more here than if I took a job in Germany or Russia or Greece? You always need to prove yourself."

The former Blackburn manager said: "It may be 10 years since I worked in the Premier League but I haven't been working at a low level where there is no pressure. Quite the opposite."

Hodgson said he did not know how much money he could spend next month.

"I've no idea .My discussion with the board was all about how we're going to improve the current situation and we didn't have any detailed discussions about transfers."

Fulham have won just twice in the league all season and Hodgson said: "At the moment our confidence is not at a high level because a string of results have not gone the club's way. If we can turn that around we might see a completely different team." E-mail to a friend