Source: Daily_Mail
Clint Dempsey insists hard work is paying off for Fulham's Euro stars
Big week: Hamburg's Jerome Boateng (left) fights for the ball with Fulham's Clint Dempsey[LNB]Clint Dempsey has declared Fulham's season a success no matter what happens over the coming week. [LNB]After their marathon trip to Hamburg, Roy Hodgson's men are back on the road again tomorrow when they tackle Everton, who have not given up hope of landing a European berth themselves next season following confirmation Portsmouth will not be allowed to enter. [LNB] But Fulham could hardly be blamed for looking slightly furtherahead to Thursday's semi-final second leg with Hamburg, arguably thebiggest game in the club's history.[LNB]After a 0-0 draw in the first leg Fulham are fancied to progress toMay's final, but even if they do not, having come so far in acompetition they began back in July and with mid-table security alreadyestablished in the Premier League, Dempsey feels his team-mates willdeserve a pat on the back. [LNB]'No matter what happens now we have already had a good season,' said the United States international. [LNB]'I am not surprised at how well we are doing. We work hard and when you put in work like that it shows.' [LNB] Danny Murphy has already gone public with Fulham's plan to rest keyplayers at Goodison Park to try to keep some freshness in the teamahead of their date with destiny. [LNB] If past history is any guide, Nicky Shorey and ManchesterUnited-bound Chris Smalling will both be involved against the Toffees,along with Stefano Okaka. [LNB] Fulham have never won at Everton in the league, a record which looks unlikely to be broken in the circumstances. [LNB]What Hodgson will be looking is some goals after going three matches without finding the net, even if the Fulham boss is not so concerned. [LNB]'They have not been easy games,' he said. 'We had a goalless draw at Liverpool, which most people would regard as a positive result, and drawing in Hamburg was pretty creditable as well. [LNB]'It was disappointing not to score against Wolves last weekend but maybe our minds were already on the Hamburg game. [LNB]'I am not too concerned because we have goals in the team.' [LNB]Hodgson can only hope that by making changes for such a tough game he is injecting his side with a group of players with something to prove. [LNB]Even for a manager of his capabilities though, it seems a pretty hard job given the proximity of the two games and what is at stake. [LNB]'We are so close to making the final and you don't get many opportunities to do that,' said Dempsey. [LNB]'It would be great for Fulham but it would also be great for the players who are putting in the work every week. [LNB]'We have come this far. We will be doing everything we can to make sure we are there.'[LNB] Fulham FC: All the latest news from across the webFulham boss Roy Hodgson ready to step up hunt for Villa striker CarewZamora in fitness race for Fulham's Europa League re-run with Hamburg[LNB] [LNB]
