Clint Dempsey and Emmanuel Adebayor have received more than their share of criticism this season but both men found themselves on the scoresheet in yesterday’s 2-1 win at the Britannia. Dempsey has been chipping in with some vital goals throughout a difficult first campaign while it’s fair to say that Ade has only really come to life since the Chelsea game last week.
The future of both men is likely to come under the spotlight in the summer at least as far as the fans are concerned so what do the stats say as we approach the final game of 2012-13? For Clint, the return has been 11 goals in 37 games and that record includes seven strikes in the league.
Of course, it’s not all about goals but you can’t ignore those important strikes – two against Manchester United and vital equalisers against Manchester City and at Stoke yesterday.
For out and out striker Adebayor, the figures are far less impressive with eight goals in 34 games and just five in the league. As far as getting into AVB’s thoughts for next season are concerned, both players are peaking just at the right time but does either man deserve to be a regular in the first team in 2013-14?
Dempsey has had a decent season, and the criticism of him is unfair and perhaps based on him being American. It’s not like anyone else on the team is scoring consistently besides Bale. As for the ever subjective “work rate”, no one can claim that Scott Parker doesn’t work hard – but he is awful. Dempsey could have an important role to play as a sub and rotational player, assuming Spurs pick up a striker or two. He turned the game around yesterday with a nifty strike out of nowhere. His goals aren’t pretty, but he is opportunistic – more than can be said for others.
It is not based on him being American. He is an awful player whose one saving grace is that he is able to pop up in the right place and get a goal now and then. He reminds me of Darren Bent in that respect, which isn’t exactly glowing praise. He should be moved on, like Bent, for as much money as we can get for someone with such limited ability.