Jonathan Spector has told WHUTV he is relishing coming up against a strong American contingent when Fulham arrive at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Spector is likely to face two of four high-profile US internationals at Craven Cottage with fellow defender Carlos Bocanegra and star man Clint Dempsey in contention, while goalkeeper Kasey Keller is further down the pecking order and striker Brian McBride injured. Dempsey has particularly caught the eye since moving to Fulham from New England Revolution a year ago.
The attacking midfielder has six league goals this season and has figured in every Fulham game played during a difficult campaign that has every chance of lift off under experienced new manager Roy Hodgson. Spector, who figured at right-back against Manchester City last week upon coming on at half-time, could find himself directly up against his in-form compatriot this weekend.
"He is certainly a threat. He has been really successful with the US national team and over here in England in the Premier League," said Spector, who is likely to join up with Dempsey for the 6 February international match against Mexico in Texas. "He is one of the guys we will have to keep an eye on. It will be great playing against a number of Americans in the Fulham team."
Spector has been a real success story this season, one of a number of players who have taken advantage of their opportunity to prove their worth to Alan Curbishley. "It helps that I am versatile," he said. "I can play in a number of different positions - especially with the injury problems we have had. I have played four or five different positions already. It certainly helps myself as well as the team."
Before last week's outing in the 0-0 draw against City in the FA Cup third round, Spector had played at centre-back, centre-midfield and left-back in the previous Boleyn Ground fixture - the tremendous 2-1 home success against Manchester United. Both games underlined that things are definitely on the up in east London.
"Our away form this season has been really good," Spector added. "We have surprised a lot of people with the amount of points we have picked up on the road but at home it hasn't been the best. Recently we have started to pick it up. We are looking to win some more games at home which is what we really need to move up the table."