Clint Dempsey’s type at Fulham is inflicting all kinds of consternation right here within the U.S., however ASN’s Samuel Mintz wished to gauge the sentiment in and round Craven Cottage. Right here is his report.
BY
Samuel Mintz
Posted
February 07, 2014
9:50 AM
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LONDON—The pessimism and frustration that Fulham FC followers are feeling about their group this season was captured by an older fan named Derek Powell who I talked to exterior Craven Cottage final Saturday. Once I requested whether or not Clint Dempsey might make a distinction in Fulham’s marketing campaign for survival, he did not sound hopeful:
“Well, put it this way. Most of the other players we’ve got to use are even worse than he is.”
Ah, nothing like a bit of British defeatism to brighten up a grey day in London.
Powell may be onto one thing, after all. Fulham sunk to the underside of the English Premier League desk with a 3-0 house loss to Southampton FC that day. Fulham have been outclassed by the Saints on the sphere and embarassingly drowned out by the away supporters within the stands. Dempsey was relegated to the bench by the arrival of German midfielder Lewis Holtby, on mortgage from Tottenham, however the American captain did make an look within the sixty fourth minute.
There was a short second of hope from the stands as Dempsey changed the dutiful-but-predictable Damien Duff, however in the end the Texan’s stint would prove no higher than any of his earlier showings throughout this mortgage spell. Dempsey barely made an impression on the sport, nearly all of his touches leading to a lack of possession, backward motion, or an offside flag. It didn’t assist that Fulham have been already a aim down when he got here on and rapidly conceded two extra, however what the Cottagers want proper now’s a participant who could make an impression in conditions like that—not one who’s attempting to recollect the way to regain health and play at this stage.
I spoke to a couple followers exterior Craven Cottage earlier than the sport, and the consensus that I gathered is that Dempsey continues to be adored, however most additionally agreed that one thing’s lacking. Whether or not it’s on account of his advancing age, his lack of health, or his 2013 return to MLS, Dempsey is definitively not the identical participant that he was between 2007 and 2012, when he scored 50 objectives for the membership.
“I liked him before he left to Tottenham, said Mauricio Sanchez. “I haven’t seen enough of him this season yet to be happy with his performances so far. I’m not sure if the MLS slowed him down a little bit, or his confidence went down after leaving Tottenham.”
Sanchez stated that whereas he nonetheless respects Dempsey and considers him a superb participant, “I think being an influential player here at Fulham got to his head a little bit and ultimately led to his problems.”
One other fan, Tony Hill, expressed extra of a constructive view. “He’s a good player. [This time around] he’s only played a couple games and hasn’t really shown his potential yet, really, but he’ll be alright.”
Hill added that the majority Fulham followers don’t really feel any resentment towards Dempsey for leaving the membership when he did. “He had to go. The manager that was here didn’t want him and wouldn’t play him, and when that happens the only way to play football and advance your career is to go somewhere else.”
Nonetheless, stated Hill (pictured beneath), “He shouldn’t have gone, really. I think both the club and Dempsey would be better off if he had stayed a bit.”
One different factor that a number of followers agreed on is that Dempsey, to make use of an American phrase, is a “clutch participant.”
“He’s great, he scores the goals when he needs to score them, that’s what we like about Clint,” stated Eve Macdonald.
Keith Tracey agreed, and added what he sees as just a few extra of Clint’s finest qualities: “I think he had a couple of seasons where he was really an outstanding player. He’s probably past his best, but he’s a good player. He’s an intelligent player, good positioning. He’ll pick up a few important goals.”
A number of individuals I spoke with responded to Dempsey’s identify with a dreamy look of their eyes as they remembered the heady occasions of the 2009-2010 Europa League marketing campaign, when Dempsey scored a spectacular chipped aim in opposition to Italian powerhouse Juventus within the spherical of 16. The membership fell simply wanting profitable {hardware}, as shedding to Atletico Madrid, 2-1, within the ultimate.
However as most followers of the membership are acutely conscious, this season is a far cry from Fulham’s high-flying performances of some years in the past. Dempsey is a participant who in some methods appears suited to a relegation dogfight. He’s grimly decided, and a tough employee. And he’s performed it earlier than with Fulham, scoring an important aim (and his first for the membership) in 2007 in opposition to Liverpool to assist safe the Cottagers’ place within the prime flight.
Each of these objectives got here when Dempsey was a talisman for membership and nation; right this moment he has change into extra of an enigma. It’s attainable that being within the mire of the English Premier League relegation zone will assist him sharpen up his recreation and focus earlier than the World Cup. It’s additionally attainable that Fulham will proceed shedding and get relegated, messing with Dempsey’s psychological state at a time when he most must really feel safe.
After a really constructive switch window, Fulham followers, not less than, are feeling hopeful about Deuce.
“Now that he’s come back, hopefully he’ll do a good job,” stated Hill.
“He might save Fulham from going down, which we would all appreciate,” stated MacDonald.
Do you assume Clint Dempsey may also help save Fulham from relegation? Will his time in London show helpful within the run-up to the World Cup? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
