Clint Dempsey (Striker/mdfielder) Fulham: Grade B+
Clint had an above average start to the season as he led Fulham in scoring after he replaced the injured Brian McBride. The debate still rages: Would Dempsey be better in a more attacking midfield role, or would he/will he, come of age in the striker position? There were times when I thought Deuce would evolve into a fine opportunistic striker in 2008, but as the season grew longer, and the service grew less accurate, and more scarce, Dempsey failed to score for too long (wasting only a minimum of chances along the way).

Frankly, Fulham never really got into gear this season, and neither manager ever looked comfortable with the rotating starting line-up from week to week. This didn’t serve the team, or in the case of Dempsey, well. It’s hard to say what Dempsey is really capable of just yet - but, at times he looked very promising. Perhaps a better cast of characters around him might have made for a more productive season for Clint.

As Fulham will most likely (barring a miracle) be relegated, it will be interesting to see how other clubs feel about his potential and if they pursue his services,  or whether he’ll stay with Fulham through the drop to the Championship. 

Jonathan Spector (Defender) West Ham Utd: Grade B
These past two years have proven that Spector can play in many different defensive positions, from defensive midfield to the back four. After spending several years being loaned out to Charlton by Manchester United, it looks like he may have found a home at West Ham. No matter where that “home” has been in the past few years, it has involved manager Alan Curbishley, who also managed Spector during his spell at Charlton and seems to favour the young American.

The most impressive thing about Spector is his continued steady progress and his self-confidence. He just doesn’t seem to get rattled and has made fewer mistakes this year, and isn't giving up the ball at the back anymore or pressing recklessly up the sideline. On top of his improved reliability, strength and instinct, Spector also scored his first goal this season (never mind it was against lowly Derby). The future looks bright for Jonathan both at International and club levels. Look for continued increase in playing time in 08-09.

Eddie Lewis (Midfielder) Derby County: Grade B
You really can’t blame Eddie for the failures at Derby. While he hasn’t shocked with outstanding play, he has been a reliable crossing foot with decent speed and reliable performance. As he did for Leeds, however, Eddie still makes the occasional blunder, bad pass, and fails to make that great cross when one is needed the most. There were some impressive moments this year, but all in all, it was nowhere near mind-blowing, and that’s what Derby needed.

Brian McBride (Striker) Fulham: Grade B
Poor Fulham. Had they had a healthy McBride and Jimmy Bullard all season it would be hard to see them facing relegation. The man who just seems to find a way to score when you need it most came back too late this season to help Fulham stay up. It took the Fulham captain a month to find his feet again and readjust to the speed of the game after returning in February. His goal against Everton in March was vintage McBride, and undoubtedly what we might have expected from him all season long had he remained healthy. There isn’t much of a season grade here, but the little bit I did see was pretty respectable.

Kasey Keller (Goalkeeper) Fulham: Grade B
Competent and reliable when called on. He made some good saves, but missed a few as well. Most of the goals he did give up were frankly not really “saveable” in the first place. Sometimes, it’s hard to judge the skill of the goalie when the Fulham defence is so wretched and the opponent is shooting from five feet. One has to wonder what Keller does in 08-09—retire, MLS?

Carlos Bocanegra (Defender) Fulham: Grade C
Playing time went down for Carlos this season. Why? Well, he had multiple errors in the back this year, many because of bad positioning, and sometimes just poor defending in general (some were very costly indeed). Of course, Carlos hasn’t had much help back there during the limited time he has played in 07-08 (I almost forgot he played for Fulham the last half of the season). His goals became a rare commodity, especially since January.

Eddie Johnson (Striker) Fulham: Grade C 

When he did play, Eddie looked nervous. He had some moments when he found open space, but he never really cut it loose. The turnovers were really poor here and there, but I expect that from a player just finding his way in the Premier League. A trip to the Championship with Fulham next season should help him get more experience and score some goals. In order for EJ to start scoring he must get a feel for the speed of the game in England and play more relaxed.

Bobby Convey (Midfielder) Reading: Grade D
Injured throughout most of the season, one wonders if Convey will ever figure back into the regular rotation at Reading. He just can’t seem to stay healthy. And when he has played, he has looked rusty, out-of-place, and ineffective. For someone who started out so promising, we can only hope that Bobby’s health and confidence return to pre-World Cup 2006 form.

Benny Feilhaber (Midfielder) Derby County: Grade D
What happened this year? Was his performance in training so lame that Paul Jewell banished him to the bleachers? Rumour has it that Benny rubbed people the wrong way; that he came off as a bit of a prima donna; that he shouldn’t have been openly and publicly voiced disappointed about his lack of playing time. Regardless, when you don’t play, it’s hard to grade your performance, but from what I have actually seen this year, Benny had little impact.

NEXT YEAR’S FORECAST
Rumours and whispers are rife that Blackburn, West Ham, and Newcastle have all taken a peak at Clint Dempsey. Judging by Newcastle’s patience with Onyewu Martins last season, he might be better with a move to West Ham, where countryman Jonathan Spector has already made a home with his favourite manager. Outside of Friedel, Blackburn have shown little favour for American field players.

On the other hand, David Moyes should consider snatching up his old discovery from his Preston days, Brian McBride, as one more scoring substitute and threat for Everton . . . Keller might be a possibility for the MLS . . one of the newly promoted teams will certainly consider moving for Bocanegra . . . Eddie Johnson is doomed to stay with Fulham in the lower leagues as is the oft-injured Bobby Convey, if indeed Reading can’t hold on to safety.

Someone would be smart to bring Marcus Hahnemann into their club in the top division, but I doubt Reading will let go of him whether they slip down or not.