Source: Daily_Mail
We'll be the Fulham of the World Cup, claims USA forward Clint Demspey
[LNB]Changing attitudes: USA forward Clint Dempsey[LNB]Down on the farm, the US Ahave been hatching a plan andit revolves around team-work,motivation and getting theball in gaps behind England'sattacking full backs. [LNB]For Clint Dempsey, it feels a lotlike Fulham. [LNB]Not the cows,free-range chickens and smellof manure, but the spirit of anunder-rated team with thequiet confidence to spring asurprise. [LNB]The Americans have been welldrilled by manager BobBradley and encouraged by asuccessful Confederations Cupcampaign in South Africa, lastyear, when they beat Spainbefore surrendering a two goallead to Brazil in the final. [LNB]'We're used to being theunderdog and it suits us,' saidDempsey. [LNB]'That's theway it will be until we changea few people's perceptions. [LNB]'We just stick to what we'regood at. We're very strongdefensively like Fulham andtry to pick our moments whenwe go forward. [LNB]'Fulham beatManchester United by stayingcompact defensively, with twosolid banks of four andchoosing our moments to getforward. [LNB]'We both play 4-4-2, ouroutside midfield players tuckin rather than being wingersand we keep two solid banksof four. We try to frustrate ouropponents and make lifedifficult for them. [LNB]'The USA play in a similar styleto Fulham and we'll try to dothe same thing. We haveplayers who believe they canwin every game.' [LNB]To help secure this belief in hissquad, boss Bradley invitedmotivational speakers toaddress his players, includingBoston Celtics basketballlegend Bill Russell and DanJollota, a hero of the'Blackhawk Down' battle. [LNB] Underdog: Dempsey and Fulham have beaten the odds this season[LNB][LNB]'It was about coming togetherand putting ego and personalglory aside,' said Dempsey. [LNB]'No-one thought we'd get tothe final of the ConfederationsCup but we did. Beating Spainwas a complete game for us. [LNB]'No-one thought Fulhamwould get to the final of theEuropa League but we did.Belief is contagious. You can'tlive life in fear. [LNB]'England have good players they play for the best clubs inthe world and reachChampions League finals there's no excuses if theydon't do well. [LNB]'They're underpressure to go far.' [LNB]Some of Bradley's team play inthe Barclays Premier Leagueand know England'sweaknesses. [LNB] All together now: Dempsey reckons USA's team spirit will be a massive bonus[LNB][LNB]'Glen Johnson is a good player,effective going forward,' saidDempsey. [LNB]'But when he getsforward we have a chance tohit them on the counter andgive them something to worryabout. [LNB]'Both their full backs liketo get forward and will leaveholes.' [LNB]For Dempsey, it has alreadybeen an incredible season, butthe success at Fulham hasprompted bigger clubs to seekto lure manager Roy Hodgson. [LNB]'If the coach wants to be therehe will be there,' saidDempsey. [LNB]'He has to do thebest for him and his family. Ifhe wants to stay, stay. If he wants to go, go.'[LNB] Fulham swoop to sign Arsenal defender Senderos on free transfer It's up to Roy: Dempsey says Hodgson must go with his heart over Liverpool President Obama is right behind us, reveals USA star Jonathan Spector [LNB]
