Clint Dempsey has pleaded with Roy Hodgson to give him a starting place for tonight’s crunch clash with Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.
The American international is full of confidence having scored his first home league goal of the season in Saturday’s defeat of Liverpool and desperately doesn’t want to be rested as he was for Roma’s visit to Craven Cottage a couple of weeks ago.
You always want to play in big games but you’ve got to see the bigger picture and be ready to be called upon. You’ve got to take the positives and we got a point from the home game.
Iremember watching the 1990 World Cup with players like Roberto Baggio and Schillaci. It’s a good style of football over here and of course they won the last World Cup. It’s great for any player to play in a place like this wherever you’re from.
Dempsey strikes a similar note in this look ahead to the game.
I hope I can play. But it will be down to the coach.
We’re unbeaten for the past six games. Clearly the win against Liverpool at the weekend and our other positive results give us confidence and we hope to beat Roma.
We took a point against Roma and we’ll see what happens now. We have been on a good run of form and we want to continue to improve and do well.
We want to progress to the next round. A win against Roma would take us one step closer to that aim.
For everyone in the team, including myself, these type of games are important and you want to play in big games. I am enjoying playing and I am looking forward to this match.
Aren’t we all, Clint?
Saturday’s goal wasn’t Clint’s first league goal of the season.
It’s supposed to say first home league goal of the season – as a pointed riposte to the guy who sits in front of me and was annoyed to have missed the City header. Will change it now.
Thanks Samantha. That’ll teach me to write whilst trying to do a million other things.
Clint should get the start. He has a knack for showing up & scoring in the big games – especially after scoring 2 in 2 games. It might provide a good opportunity for Riise to a get a start in a league match.
I agree Tim. He’s improved markedly in the last couple of weeks and does seem to play well on the big ocassion. Tonight’s the night to set his tiredness aside – if we lose this game we won’t be going through.