Dempsey: Portsmouth v. Fulham 10/26 1PM (R)

Fulham looking to repeat last year's away win at Fratton Park. Tough week for Pompey with UEFA loss and Redknapp departure. Dempsey will likely start on the bench.

Hodgson unsurprisingly makes no changes to his preferred lineup.

TEAM NEWS

Portsmouth: James; Pamarot, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj; Bouba Diop, Diarra, R. Hughes, A. Traore; Crouch, Defoe.

Subs: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Utaka, Kanu, D. Traore, Krancjar.

Fulham; Schwarzer; Pantsil, A. Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera; A. Johnson, Zamora

Subs: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kallio, Seol, Milsom, Dempsey, Nevland

I wonder if Roy will make subs today?

any links for this game?

http://www.ustream.tv/videoplayerpopup/channel/327976

Let's hope he gets on soon today, I'm still bummed about the Monaco game.

I'm I correct that of all our outfield Nats only Cherundolo sniffs a starting spot for a top 5 Euro-league side?

I'd love to see career stats for Bullard's shooting from outside the box (not freekicks either). He kills off so many attacking situations when the team has possession nearing the opponents' box, and he gets the ball. He ALWAYS shoots. This wouldn't be a problem if he could shoot with any modicum of power or aim. Grrr...

And Bocanegra and Bradley.

Phew, glad my brain is slow this morning.

Wait Hodgson actually made a change in the lineup -- Davies is on the left and Gera is on the right.

At least Gera's now playing in position--not sure where Davies usually plays...

Schwarzer keeps it 0-0 with a 1 on 1 save.

Davies usually plays on the right also for Fulham.

Andy Johnson scores a header - but the offside flag is up.

HT 0-0. Too many giveaways by Murphy and Bullard, but a couple of decent chances.

Halftime 0-0

Obviously good news for Dempsey's chance to see time in the 2nd

How come Old 'Arry's not on the bench?

Murphy is useless. I think Freddy Adu is taller than Andy Johnson, and AJ & Zamora do not gel at all. Clint should come in for either forward or Murphy.

andy johnson looks are useless as eddie johnson

Fulham is barely hanging on - Defoe has looked fantastic for Portsmouth but has been unlucky.

No sign of Fulham subs yet.

Neither Zamor or AJ look any good. Do they have a shot on goal yet?

No I think Bullard has their only shot on goal.

Crouch. 1-0 Portsmouth.

Goal Peter Crouch assisted by Defoe. 62'

Hodgson needs to make a sub; both Bullard and Johnson have been pretty bad today.

Hodgs is going to have to drop 'captain' murphy for Leon and put Dempsey in to battle in the midfield.

Honestly, they looked better at this point in the season last year.

If they could only keep a lead into the final 10min, they would have been fine last year.