seriously though, from the fulhamfc.com match report (obviously slightly biased): Seriously though, until Fulham lost all composure in the last ten minutes, Clint looked like he was having a blast out there.
Dodgy PK call, but I can't tell what the hell was wrong with Dempsey's pass...looked perfectly good to me.
I don't think Dempsey and AJ were on the same page initially for that pass, but AJ very nicely changed his run immediately (after maybe pushing off another defender) and got to it. Otherwise I thought it was a good pass. More importantly, though, was that Fulham had been pinned back for most o the half and they were giving the ball away with almost every other touch. Dempsey creating a penalty with his first touch of the ball was significant because it was the first really creative and forward looking play Fulham had executed in quite a while, and after that Fulham had much more of the run of play.
I don't know if AJ adjusted or was feinting, but Dempsey put the ball in the only spot where it was dangerous -- splitting the defenders with just enough weight to run on to without it getting through to the keeper QFT
I agree, I thought the pass in was fine to force the PK. Clint had more of a contribution to the game in 30 minutes then Gera had in 60, I think we can all agree. His best spurt, had a nice little piece of juggling skill that got the crowd going, went right down the right channel, then ultimately set up Davies for a near miss. Looked crisp and confident... no real complaints, a good win a home for the cottagers.
It wasn't really highlight reel material, just a nice, tidy play to keep possession under pressure. But since it led to a scoring opportunity, it might show up in an extended highlights clip.
Dempsey was great in the attacking end, no doubt. In the rest of the field, I see why he might fight for play time. He had several pointless giveaways and he doesn't often end up in a position to help anyone. He's fun to watch but one-dimensional.
there was some speculation by a smart fulham blogger at the game that he was brought on to help with def. coverage, as gera was lacking in that department today... lest we forget, dempsey has played d-mid for the revs... we just know him more as an attacking player. not a good d-mid, mind you... but if his mind's set on tracking back, he knows what to do.
It's kind of amazing to think that Fulham have had one of the best defenses in the league this season (only Chelsea and Liverpool have conceded less goals) without a true destroyer in the midfield. I mean Danny Murphy tracks back and gets stuck in a lot, especially for a former attacking midfielder, but neither he nor Bullard are true defensive midfielders.
I think he just tries, that's the thing, you could never say he's a lazy player. If you tell him to get stuck in, then he'll do it even though he is not a defensive player.
Dempsey created 3 of the 4 best scoring chances, one the penalty, in limited minutes. I understand that Roy sees value in hard working consistent players and Dempsey can lack consistency but not effort. However, I didn't see a more creative player for Fulham. I see him best as the right A-mid in a 4-3-2-1, with the nats too.