During the first half of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season, when Fulham were without injured strikers Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Mousa Dembele, US international Clint Dempsey led Fulham's line with aplomb and after his Team's 3-0 victory over Blackpool, Manager Mark Hughes paid tribute to the impact Dempsey has made in midfield and attack this season.
“Clint has been excellent this season,” said Fulham's manager. “He’s been very much at the fore for us and thankfully so because we’ve had difficulties up front with players being injured.
“Bobby Zamora was out injured for a long time and Andrew Johnson was also out injured, so it was important that someone stepped up to the plate and made an impression for us up front.
“I had to play him arguably out of position but he’s done great for me up front. As we’ve got other players back I’ve played him on the left hand side and through the middle as well and in almost every game he plays, he either scores or creates something."
Hughes not only praised the impact Dempsey has made on the pitch but highlighted the characteristics that have made him such an influential personality in the Fulham dressing room.
“I say to all my players that every game they go in to they must have an impact on the game and be positive and that is what Clint is in every game he plays," said Hughes. "He’s a very determined, single-minded character and his ability to get the best out of himself is there for everyone to see.
“He’s a guy that drives himself and as a consequence drives other people – he wants to win, you can see that from his attitude and he’s a great influence.”