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Seems our American followers are galvanised into rushing to the defence of Team USA star Clint Dempsey whenever anyone posts reservations about his value to FFC.
My mailbag has not exactly been bulging, but nothing it seems currently quite polarises opinion more than discussions on Clint's potential future role under Hughes.
Let me say from the get-go I'm a big admirer of Clint's ability and attitude as a footballer. I think he's been a great asset to Fulham since arriving and I personally hold no grudge against him for that streaky goal that denied us a win in South Africa(!)
I'm neither a qualified coach, nor do I spend 5 days a week at Motspur Park with the lads out on the training ground. However, I can appreciate how Fulham managers past and present have sometimes scratched their heads over how best to fit Dempsey into the starting formation.
Lest we forget, when Hodgson kicked off the 2008 season Dempsey was in Woy's eyes seen as a fringe squad member. He forced his way back into the reckoning after coming on to grab a late equaliser at Portsmouth that Autumn.
Was he a striker? Whenever Fulham play Clint as the advanced striker - either as a sub or through injuries - he has to my mind invariably struggled. He is clearly not a recognised winger, though his control, skill on the ball and eye for goal do make him an attractive proposition offensively. He's also useful in the box with his head. But perhaps in tracking back and work rate overall the guys in the tracksuits see certain deficiences? Who knows.
I have yet to see the new boy in live action, but I sense Dembele has been acquired to be that quicksilver 'fox in the box' type of forward the side currently lacks. Again, untidy goals, tap ins and just being in the right place are not what Demps is all about. He's more likely to try his luck from range or go for the spectacular - viz away at Stoke and home to Juve last season.
It is as hard for many Fulham fanatics to contemplate Gera going back to the bench as it is for our American army to suggest Clint might be headed in the same direction. But I have a hunch Hughes is going to cast our Yank in the role of 'super-sub' in the weeks to come.
Unless Clint can persuade him otherwise through performances on the pitch. And for that priceless winner home to Liverpool in 2007 that saved our skins, Dempsey should always have a special place in our hearts.
Comments
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Posted by Kevin on 08/21/2010
I have always thought Clint is more effective out wide playing in a system that allows him the freedom to roam. When Clint and the US midfielders are at their best is when they are switching and moving all over the field.
I'm not sure what kind of system Hughes wants to implement, but that's going to dictate whether and how Clint fits in. You can't argue his tenacity and drive - so it seems that just like with Roy, he'll probably find a place to fit into Hughes rotation. It just may take a bit to learn more what the new manager wants and adapt.
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Posted by Carter on 08/21/2010
The thing that can't be argued though is that he has been among Fulham's top goal scorers for the past couple of seasons.
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Posted by Scott on 08/21/2010
As one of those American followers, Clint has been going for the spectacular throughout his career (which is good and bad)... sometimes I feel he would fit well as an attacking inside mid within a 4-5-1 or 4-3-1-2... he does have good attacking vision and can maintain possession (provided he doesn't try to go through 3 players), but his passing and defense is inconsistent...
his outside mid play is good, but davies and duff are much more consistent and cross the ball more efficiently...personally, I think dempsey should be the primary second-half option anytime fulham are looking to attack...recently against Bolton, Fulham seemed to be much more of a scoring threat once he was in...if Clint would have connected with a couple of his passes, Zamora would have had a couple of great opportunities
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Posted by Theodore Bennett on 08/22/2010
I make no bones about it. I follow Fulham because they used to sport 5 Americans on their roster and now it is just Dempsey with E. Johnson if he has not been loaned...so I am biased. As an American, I want to see Clint play. However, there may be bias bigger than mine as Hughes may prefer Simon Davies to the detriment. I will be watching closely. This needs to be managed well or the club may find the wrong result.
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Posted by Terry Fraser on 08/22/2010
Dempsey has weaknesses that make him a difficult fit as a striker or a wing player. However, Dempsey is a clutch player and from what I've seen, Fulham is most dangerous when Duff, Dempsey and Zamora are on the pitch together. I would agree with an earlier poster who suggested that Fulham should consider a 4-5-1 scheme with Dempsey as an inside mid player. I think he fits the best at this position. I suppose this will depend on what Hughes feels is the best setup for the squad and what Dembele shows. However, if Hughes underestimates Dempsey's contributions to the team, I can comfortably predict a bottom half finish for the Cottagers.
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Posted by petitmonstre on 08/22/2010
Anyone who didn't watch Sunday's game missed a great match. Fulham stood toe to toe with one of the world's best sides. Well done.
What did Dembele show? Certainly he's big, strong, fast, and skilled enough to compete in the EPL. A good sign. He was a half-step slow reacting once or twice, but he'll adjust to the pace of the game at this level. What kind of a striker is he? We didn't see him shoot or head the ball. He will be dangerous in the open field against weaker opposition than today's. How will he pair with Zamora? Bobby is great at holding the ball and laying it off. I think I saw unselfishness with Dembele, not the old "give [it to me] and go [to h###]" some strikers favor.
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Posted by Michael P on 08/22/2010
Dempsey, I think, is the best American player. Certainly the most creative. He's quality, and has worked his way into lineups before. He's dedicated, and he has a great (or horrible, depending on how you want to look at it) in his past. His star tennis playing sister died all of a sudden, and it was only this tragedy that allowed him to play competitive soccer. His folks just didn't have the resources to support them both. He's been through a lot, no doubt.
But he's an enigma on where to put. He's not an out and out striker, and not a pure midfielder, either. He's somewhere in the middle. However, he does produce. How many huge goals has he scored for Fulham? Several.
But, again, he's not a pure position player, and others could be more valuable to a team because they are pure position players. He should be playing, somewhere, though. He's too good not to see the field.
Oh, and Phil. Don't blame Clint when your 'keep can't catch.
Blog Central: Huh?
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Posted by David on 08/24/2010
Where Dempsey fits is an extremely difficult question. The reality is Fulham have a wealth of players that can play wide Dempsey, Duff, Gera, Davies, and Riise. Both Gera and Dempsey have shown they can play upfront as well. The problem is you can't play them all at the same time and unlike last year when Davies was struggling with injury all are now fit.
I think Dempsey has proven his worth and should be a starter given he has been one of the teams top scorers for 3 years now but as with past years it seems he might have to fight his way in again.
I think possibly after watching the ManU match that it might be worth Hughes time to mold him into a central midfielder. He doesn't have the pace to be a winger for much longer and he isn't a pure striker. With a little more work on his defensive skills I think he could replace Murphy (when he retires or as needed) as the central playmaker. His distribution is good enough, it is the defensive prowess he needs to work on. Thought?
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Posted by Jonathan on 08/25/2010
I can see your point, David, but it would take a lot of work to turn Dempsey into a central midfielder. I can hardly recall seeing him ever lay a tackle. Yes, we definately need another central midfielder, but judging from Dempsey's mindset, he is not the answer.
Of course, the big question is where to fit him in? His flair is certainly of value to a team that definately lacks it. To be perfectly honest, I can't see any room for him at the moment. Zoltan Gera was in career-best form last season and doesn't deserve to be axed simply because he had a quiet game. It's going to be up to Clint to show Mark Hughes that he deserves a spot in the side.
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Posted by Dwund van Antin on 08/28/2010
The reason why Dempsey has never been overlooked by managers Hodgson, Hughes and US Coach Bradley respectively is composed mainly on his superb aggression inside every goal-scoring ranges. I have to admit, he's not creative nor pacey, neither he is strong in possession. What may be all his other weaknesses are, he certainly make up for with his own originality: eagle eye on goal-scoring opportunities, steadfast maims, great shooting accuracy and highly unstoppable in goal-scoring attempts defying the impossible. He may starts slow during the first three games, but no doubt always on his way to netting goals or at least attempting to. He may failed to score in lots of his attempts, but he did so with flair. He isnt one to be underestimated. Give him times and chances, just wait and see. Its still too early to speculate. You all will agree. After all, FFC fans owe him so much.
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Posted by donald bellah on 08/28/2010
I hate to see Dempsey as a sub, but I have to say his 'unique' value is that he can play in so many positions. Forward, midfield, left or right. He actually has played in the center, and done quite well. I think his defensive skills are under-rated in this blog. By the time he was injured last year, he had the 5th most tackles of any forward. If you want to argue that he was playing more midfield by that time, he also had the stat as the fifth most goals of a midfielder.
His control and passing over the past year are much improved. I think he is a prime candidate to replace Murphy in the middle. Why not let take some subs there for awhile.
Posted by Chris on 08/28/2010
Lets not forget perhaps his greatest asset to the team, that ability to make Drogba (and/ or Rob Green) look shite.
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Phil Mison is a lifelong follower of Fulham FC. As a broadcaster, writer and sports producer he has supplied past club videos and numerous articles on FFC. LBC Radio's Fulham correspondent 1988-1993 and Sky Sports’ reporter for the 1996-97 promotion season. Professionally Phil delivers football content to the highest level both overseas and across the UK via TV, radio and mobile.
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