Clint Dempsey

[baitman]

The key to this system is the final third... It is no problem to tap the ball around at the back and among Lucas and his partner in CM; our success will be defined by how we advance the ball when teams finally press us to regain possession and Gerrard/CAM (Shelvey?) will be a huge key to linking up Suarez/Borini/LW and getting the ball into dangerous areas. When I watch Spain, they don't think twice about playing it out of attacking areas into empty space backward, probing multiple areas before they finally get a pass on the floor that carves open a defense. That's all well and good when you can carve open defenses with skill and movement, but can we do that? and if we do, can we be clinical in front of goal? It will be interesting to see how this works for us; I am expecting a season of frustration but growth. But I also expect us to do much better against lesser teams-- those **** results against lower table clubs killed us last year.

replied in this thread;

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=81539

[Gazzla]

As does Jovanovic who despite being free we paid enormous wages to

Oh and Ryan Babel wasnt a great one either

Genuine question, would you rather have had Babel playing pretty much every game last season or Downing?

I think it would be hard to argue that Babel would be any worse

[TheElephantMan]

Genuine question, would you rather have had Babel playing pretty much every game last season or Downing?

I think it would be hard to argue that Babel would be any worse

I wasn't Babel's biggest fan (nice lad, but terrible footballer). He would have been much better than Downing, I have no doubt about that.

[Reece]

I wasn't Babel's biggest fan (nice lad, but terrible footballer). He would have been much better than Downing, I have no doubt about that.

And some! You absolutely hated him

[-V-]

I fear we'll get relegated this season.

I just seen this

FFS, were a decent team, not the Liverpool of old but a decent team in transition. We will be fighting for 4th place and worst case scenario we finish 6th.

[TheElephantMan]

And some! You absolutely hated him

That's not true. I didn't hate him, I just didn't rate him. There's a big difference. Very frustrating. He was a powerful lad, he had the attributes to be very good, but just didn't have the brains. I like him, he's really funny on Twitter and he was a better player than Stuart Downing. That's not saying much.

[Reece]

Wasn't having a go at all mate - just recall you used to slate him a lot is all

[TheElephantMan]

Wasn't having a go at all mate - just recall you used to slate him a lot is all

I could see a lot of potential in the lad, he was incredibly strong, had loads of pace and should have been a world beater. His decision making was appalling. Shame for him and us.

[Reece]

Yeah agree with that - incredibly frustrating.

[ronanm]

According to someone I met tonight 'in the know' at fulham, there's been no approach from n e one for dempsey

[TheElephantMan]

I think if we were going to sign Dempsey then it would have happened by now.

[Fivex]

It'll happen late window for a lower fee - but only if we spend up elsewhere IMO.

Seems like we're trying for a superstar plan A on loan, Ramirez plan B or Clunt plan C?

[baitman]

surely if charlie adam has a good game against lederhoosen then we can get he re-sprayed and polished and tempt fulham to buy him from us

[SB]

surely if charlie adam has a good game against lederhoosen then we can get he re-sprayed and polished and tempt fulham to buy him from us

IF is a big word though isn't it!

[Bender]

I think if we were going to sign Dempsey then it would have happened by now.

Roma are supposedly keen on him now