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Fulham's Clint Dempsey targeting more Premier League goals after hat-trick in win over Newcastle
The American midfielder helped the Cottagers to a 5-2 victory over the Toon Army and spoke of his pride in being "somewhere where the game is valued as much as I value it"
22 Jan 2012 21:29:00
By Jay Jaffa at Craven Cottage
Getty Images
Clint Dempsey is targeting even more Premier League goals following his hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
The American midfielder scored three - his second treble in 14 days after he notched a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Charlton - as the Cottagers came from behind to defeat Alan Pardew's side.
“I always want to better myself from the year before. Last season I had 13 in all competitions, now I have 15 in all competitions,” Dempsey told Goal.com.
“I have nine in the league, and last year I had 12 in the league.
“I'm happy with the way things are going and hopefully I can keep putting the ball in the back of the net.
“Goals seem to come in waves. I'm just trying to keep working hard and keep enjoying the moment while I can because sooner or later they dry up on you.
“Hopefully I can keep continuing with this form as long as I can because one of my favourite parts of the game is scoring goals.”
Dempsey also discussed his time in the MLS and insists that while he is grateful to New England Revolution for giving him his break in football, he is delighted he was able to secure a move to Europe back in 2007.
“I think in the last year or so people are starting to take a lot more notice [of the Premier League in America] and I think that's because there's a lot more coverage,” he said.
“Even when I was doing well before, a lot of it wasn't being talked about whereas now it is and it feels good to be recognised for doing a good job.
“For me it's always been important to come to Europe and be somewhere where the game is valued as much as I value it.
“Growing up that wasn't the case for me, it was like 'you're on the back-burner'. I remember it with the Revs [New England Revolution] even though I'm grateful they gave me my chance.
“It was almost like we were the step-child because as soon as the New England Patriot's season started they kicked us off the training field!
“It's a good league [the MLS], the league that gave me my chance and I'm grateful for that because without them I would never have made the national team and never would have played in a World Cup and been seen by clubs to get to Europe.
“I owe a lot to them and it is moving forward. So it's great to come somewhere where football is the priority and I'm loving it.”
Dempsey did sound a warning to his team, however, and is adamant that they cannot rest on their laurels following the comeback against Newcastle.
“You have to be careful being on too much of a high because it's not always going to last,” he added.
“You have to stay grounded – there are a lot of ups and downs, you can go from a hat-trick to playing a man up and losing.
“So I'm not going to get my feet off the ground. I know that there's a lot of work still yet to be done so hopefully this season we can finish in the top half.”
The American midfielder scored three - his second treble in 14 days after he notched a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Charlton - as the Cottagers came from behind to defeat Alan Pardew's side.
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“I always want to better myself from the year before. Last season I had 13 in all competitions, now I have 15 in all competitions,” Dempsey told Goal.com.
“I have nine in the league, and last year I had 12 in the league.
“I'm happy with the way things are going and hopefully I can keep putting the ball in the back of the net.
“Goals seem to come in waves. I'm just trying to keep working hard and keep enjoying the moment while I can because sooner or later they dry up on you.
“Hopefully I can keep continuing with this form as long as I can because one of my favourite parts of the game is scoring goals.”
Dempsey also discussed his time in the MLS and insists that while he is grateful to New England Revolution for giving him his break in football, he is delighted he was able to secure a move to Europe back in 2007.
“I think in the last year or so people are starting to take a lot more notice [of the Premier League in America] and I think that's because there's a lot more coverage,” he said.
“Even when I was doing well before, a lot of it wasn't being talked about whereas now it is and it feels good to be recognised for doing a good job.
“For me it's always been important to come to Europe and be somewhere where the game is valued as much as I value it.
“Growing up that wasn't the case for me, it was like 'you're on the back-burner'. I remember it with the Revs [New England Revolution] even though I'm grateful they gave me my chance.
“It was almost like we were the step-child because as soon as the New England Patriot's season started they kicked us off the training field!
“It's a good league [the MLS], the league that gave me my chance and I'm grateful for that because without them I would never have made the national team and never would have played in a World Cup and been seen by clubs to get to Europe.
“I owe a lot to them and it is moving forward. So it's great to come somewhere where football is the priority and I'm loving it.”
Dempsey did sound a warning to his team, however, and is adamant that they cannot rest on their laurels following the comeback against Newcastle.
“You have to be careful being on too much of a high because it's not always going to last,” he added.
“You have to stay grounded – there are a lot of ups and downs, you can go from a hat-trick to playing a man up and losing.
“So I'm not going to get my feet off the ground. I know that there's a lot of work still yet to be done so hopefully this season we can finish in the top half.”
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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