As I read the papers this weekend - and today - I couldn't help get the feeling that poor old Clint Dempsey was being blamed for our failure to clinch three points this weekend. The News of the World, as i report below, pointed the finger at him with the match report being headlined: Demp Squib.
I find this ridiculous. Whilst it would have great to see him bag a hat-trick the simple fact is that he put us in a winning position; it was sloppy defending that lost us the game. Wigan were only given a lifeline when Bouazza brought Melchiot down in the penalty area.
If you look at the table of leading scorers this season, only Anelka at Bolton has scored more than Dempsey in the league - and only one more at that. Even when goals from cup competions, both domestic and Europe, are factored into the equation he still comes joint third with the likes of Torres at Liverpool and Bellamy at West Ham. Perhaps of greater significance is the fact is he above so-called super strikers such as Michael Owen - and anyone from Manchester United!
The criticism he has received for not netting every single chance that comes his way reminds me of that handed out to Andy Cole - both before and after he was turning out for us - something along the lines of: for every goal he scores, he missed six others.
In many cases the vital point overlooked was his ability to give himself such shooting opportunities. Very few people acknowledged the fact that other, lesser players, weren't skilful enough to get themselves into such positions in the first place - and this, I believe, also applies to Dempsey.
I am a huge fan of our rapping wonderboy. I like his strength, his presence and his great striking record since he's been pushed up the field by Sanchez. Let's not forget it was his surging run and exquisite finish against Liverpool that kept us in this league and he has been one of the stars of our show so far this season.
Signing off
5 years ago
3 comments:
spread the word, Rob! This is essentially what we at CCN have been saying all season... it's become something of a crusade, to the point where Brian and I sometimes wonder if we're writing about the man a bit too much! Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, both always say that it's not missing chances that they worry about, it's not getting the chances that matters. As b+w geezer said on TFI, the man isn't boring.
Getting into goalscoring positions is a rare talent, and Clint has that ability. He's missed a few, but his goalscoring record is, at present, shaping up really well. You simply can't argue with that, especially when his work rate and team play are factored in. McBride's injury has given him a chance, and he's taken it. I'd like to see him working with Healy more, between the two of them they could score a hatful, but to do that Clint would have to drop into midfield, which makes things tricky.
Rich
Geez, the ball he received for his supposed "second goal" was so far behind him, he barely got a foot on it....
Interestingly enough Rich, dropping into midfield is exactly what he did with the U.S. Nats this summer in the Gold Cup. But in that situation he was playing outstanding little through balls to Donovan and Beasely who are both lightning fast. Healy is not lightning fast and I'm just not sure how that would work. Plus, he's been sort of a pseudo target player as of late and not doing to bad of a job of it may I say.
The lad is still fairly young yet (24). We sometimes also forget that. He's still has lot's to learn.
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