Clint Dempsey

[dww]

It was posted tongue *almost* in cheek, but why compare Dempsey to the best strikers in the Premiership and when he doesn't really compare, they then start to compare him to three and a half players who have had a below average season?

I have reservations about Suarez, but no, he's not ****, but I did read an interesting article about his form before, during and after the Suarez affair and that has obviously affected the above too.

I can't really do a reply justice but I'll read the full article this evening when I have a little more time.

Not really sure the analysis overall is that well constructed - you are right the comparators are not ideal. Just thought picking up only part of the analysis which was the most negative spoke of a confirmation bias (although the same could be said of the original author in the opposite direction I suppose).

[Neil Young]

Dont jump down my throat, I was just pointing out a few more names

I'm a big fan of Rafa and hes probably one of the best managers we've had in terms of activity in the transfer market

He wasnt infallible though but then nobody is

I wasn't jumping down your throat. Although it would be a good trick.

I know we agree on Benitez. I was trying to stop the old debate from spiralling out of hand as it has so many times before.







And I might as well as use up the postly allocation:

[colin85]

I miss rafa
What a team we had when he was in charge to what we have now

[Leyton388]

I miss rafa
What a team we had when he was in charge to what we have now

[Phoenix07]

Have I accidentally found myself on RAWK?

[Lee]

Have I accidentally found myself on RAWK?

I doubt it. This thread hasn't been locked yet and you haven't been banned yet for making that comment.

[Phoenix07]

I doubt it. This thread hasn't been locked yet and you haven't been banned yet for making that comment.

[peekay]

I doubt it. This thread hasn't been locked yet and you haven't been banned yet for making that comment.

[Muddled]

Not really sure the analysis overall is that well constructed - you are right the comparators are not ideal. Just thought picking up only part of the analysis which was the most negative spoke of a confirmation bias (although the same could be said of the original author in the opposite direction I suppose).

I've read the article now. I have been honest on here and admitted to not wanting Dempsey, so I do have a biased opinion. You are right - I picked up on the most negative aspect of the article to get a few rises.

However, I do think there are holes; they say he's most productive as a striker and go on to compare him next to the best strikers in the league. Yet, when he doesn't really compare favourably, they then say how he played a lot at left midfield and then compare him against Gervinho who played half a season, Kuyt who had a 'mare of a season and Sinclair who had a **** season.

Thus, because Dempsey has had a good season, he looks a world-beater in comparison. They throw in the obvious commercial side to the deal to beef out the article and mention he's 29 - an age which many people think is the back end of a footballers peak.

There is no doubt Dempsey had a good season and we desperately missed this kind of prolificacy last season, but my biggest question mark is where he would fit into a (potential) 4-3-3?

I think we have seen the best of Dempsey and I think we need to priortise other areas of the pitch first, before beefing the squad out with 'fillers'.

All in my humble opinion, of course.

[BrooklynRed]

Not to stir ****, but Dempsey plays on the left of a front 3 with Altidore and Donovan for the USA, and he is good there, but not as good as he is in the hole off of a centre forward. Just saying, he knows that role and does well in it, but he is better IMO in the hole, crashing into the box. He also drifts inside a lot as a left sided player and is always getting in the box, so I think Enrique would need to be better to cover. My two cents.

[dww]

I've read the article now. I have been honest on here and admitted to not wanting Dempsey, so I do have a biased opinion. You are right - I picked up on the most negative aspect of the article to get a few rises.

However, I do think there are holes; they say he's most productive as a striker and go on to compare him next to the best strikers in the league. Yet, when he doesn't really compare favourably, they then say how he played a lot at left midfield and then compare him against Gervinho who played half a season, Kuyt who had a 'mare of a season and Sinclair who had a **** season.

Thus, because Dempsey has had a good season, he looks a world-beater in comparison. They throw in the obvious commercial side to the deal to beef out the article and mention he's 29 - an age which many people think is the back end of a footballers peak.

There is no doubt Dempsey had a good season and we desperately missed this kind of prolificacy last season, but my biggest question mark is where he would fit into a (potential) 4-3-3?

I think we have seen the best of Dempsey and I think we need to priortise other areas of the pitch first, before beefing the squad out with 'fillers'.

All in my humble opinion, of course.

I think it is the filler section that I have a problem with. For me we have to build a team/squad who are suited to the type of approach we want to take. This means that we have to address the problems we have in the squad playing it - for me that is that we don't have a controlling midfield player and lacked versatile forward players who can link play and provide a goal threat.

Borini came in partly to solve this latter problem but if we sell Bellamy or Carroll as seems likely we need anther forward. Dempsey for me whilst not the ideal for that position is a good fit for all three positions across the front line. The best players in that position are unattainable (Messi, Ronaldo, Aguero, Silva, etc.) so for now we will to some degree have to 'make do'. If a player comes in helps us develop/adapt to a new style successfully then I think they are a good signing.

I have some reservations about Dempsey but I think on balance I would be in favour of the signing.

[Lee]

I've read the article now. I have been honest on here and admitted to not wanting Dempsey, so I do have a biased opinion. You are right - I picked up on the most negative aspect of the article to get a few rises.

However, I do think there are holes; they say he's most productive as a striker and go on to compare him next to the best strikers in the league. Yet, when he doesn't really compare favourably, they then say how he played a lot at left midfield and then compare him against Gervinho who played half a season, Kuyt who had a 'mare of a season and Sinclair who had a **** season.

Thus, because Dempsey has had a good season, he looks a world-beater in comparison. They throw in the obvious commercial side to the deal to beef out the article and mention he's 29 - an age which many people think is the back end of a footballers peak.

There is no doubt Dempsey had a good season and we desperately missed this kind of prolificacy last season, but my biggest question mark is where he would fit into a (potential) 4-3-3?

I think we have seen the best of Dempsey and I think we need to priortise other areas of the pitch first, before beefing the squad out with 'fillers'.

All in my humble opinion, of course.

Very well put. Agree with all of this.

Well done, Muds.

[Muddled]

Not to stir ****, but Dempsey plays on the left of a front 3 with Altidore and Donovan for the USA, and he is good there, but not as good as he is in the hole off of a centre forward. Just saying, he knows that role and does well in it, but he is better IMO in the hole, crashing into the box. He also drifts inside a lot as a left sided player and is always getting in the box, so I think Enrique would need to be better to cover. My two cents.

Fair comment.

I've not seen much of USA, but from what I have seen of him he looks at his best on the left of a midfield four, or just in front of that midfield four, neither of which I think we will see much of this season.

It's an interesting point you make about him wandering on the left flank; I read an article around the creation of a 3 v 2 situation when a 1 v 1 is not good enough and how to make that '3' there could be instances when the left midfielder and left forward would cover the left back who was providing the outlet.

I guess this wouldn't be a major concern though, he's obviously got enough about him to develop that side.

[red evil kenevil]

Has he sighed yet

[Neil Young]