Still Making Drogba Look Shite: Dempsey at Fulham IV [R]

His goal creation rate in the global tourneys is pretty awe inspiring. Imo he dogs it a little bit in lesser games for the US, but I'm OK with that as he's not naturally gifted in the cardio department.

 

Hangeland was bad early in the year. His backline was getting abused. Clint carried this team early (after of course he was taken off the bench) and kept them in the fight.

he is the only reason they are not bottom of the table right now. Hughes should be touting Clint as he saved his bacon.

 

BS. I'd currently give Clint POTY, but to say that he's the only reason they aren't bottom of the table is utter nonsense. Their defense (and central defense in particular) has been excellent ALL YEAR. Their backline was not getting abused (seriously, can you point out more than an isolated instance, like say the Man City match, when they were getting "abused" as you put it). Why do you think that Clint's goals were getting results for Fulham (hint, it's because the defense was rarely giving up more than one goal...and frequently pitching shut outs)?

 

Hangeland is American only by birth. His family is Norwegian, he grew up in Norway. Wishing for him to play for the US is a stretch.

 

Some more about Dempsey from Hughes.

 

The photo says it all ...



... gritty!

 

What, I am #2 after Hangeland?

 

Central, yes.

Fullbacks were getting beaten up early on and Panstil even managed a hat-trick this season.

 

The fullbacks struggled a bit (which is why I singled out the central defenders), but the point remains that all season long the defense has hovered around 5th or 6th best in the PL (going by total goals allowed). So even while Pantsil and Salcido were having difficulties, those difficulties weren't translating into many goals for the opposition. Hence my earlier statement that the defense was good all season long.

 

Baird has replaced him and has played quite well, Salcido....kinda hit and miss.

 

Not much news, but this seems to have passed people by:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13055894.stm

To summarize Fulham are on course to a Europa league spot via the Fair Play sysetm.

 

Sidwell signed a 3 year deal as well.

Murphy will play one more year for the white's it seems.

 

Sidwell is great news! Very happy to read this.

Murphy will continue signing 1 yr deals until he can't perform anymore. I believe he'll end his career at Fulham.