After enjoying another highly successful campaign at the Cottage last season, followed by a summer of football with the USA, Clint Dempsey once again had to make do with the shortest of breaks before returning to Fulham.
However, rather than bemoaning his packed schedule as he prepares for the 2011/12 campaign, Dempsey believes that by retaining his fitness all year round, with a brief summer break, he is well equipped to deal with the stresses and strains placed upon his body.
“It is what it is,” said Dempsey of his 24-day break following another demanding domestic and international campaign. “Your career is short so you’ve got to make the most of it. You can’t really take too long off because when you take too long off it’s difficult to come back, and you start picking up injuries.
“It’s almost better to stay fit almost all year round, you do need a bit of a break and I feel like I got enough of a break and I’m ready to put in a good season.”
Dempsey and company will kick-off the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season against Aston Villa at the Cottage this weekend| and the US international is happy with his current fitness levels after competing in the win over RNK Split in the UEFA Europa League last week.
“It was a good win last week,” said Dempsey. “I thought we had good movement in the first-half, good possession and we were creating chances. In the second-half they pressed the game and it was difficult to play but we grinded out the result.
“The opposition [RNK Split] were a quality side; we played good football and just needed to do more in the second-half. At the end of the day, we were winning 2-0 and they had to throw caution to the wind while we were trying to lock it up and keep the clean sheet.
“For me it was good to get 80 minutes and try to get my fitness up – I’m still not 100% there, that’s only going to come with time. For my first game back, I felt pretty good.
“I thought I was effective, especially in the first-half. I didn’t get on the ball as much as I would have liked in the second-half and I think that had a little to do with fatigue. But that’s the fitness you’ve got to get, when it gets tough you’ve got to keep pushing through that. It's certainly helped my fitness for the next game and for the first game back, I felt good."
Ticket availability is now limited for Martin Jol's first Barclays Premier League match in charge at Craven Cottage. Don't miss the opening match of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season against Aston Villa - secure your tickets today.|
