REMEMBER The Alamo? Tim Ream certainly does.

For the last three weeks, Wanderers have dug in their heels to beat relegation rivals QPR, Blackburn Rovers and Wolves and lift themselves a point clear of the bottom three.

In fact, such has been the tension in the Whites’ recent outings, Ream’s newly-wed wife Kristen has given up on watching games live.

So with a top-scoring Texan coming to Fortress Reebok in the shape of Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, it’s no wonder that the 24-year-old centre-back is hoping for an easier afternoon.

“The last few games have been amazing,” he told The Bolton News. “My wife can’t even watch the games any more – it’s just too much.

“Football hasn’t come into it, the games have just been settled by who wants to battle harder.

“I can’t remember us putting three or four passes together in the first half at Wolves. And I know we’re not a Manchester City or Manchester United, but we can play the ball around when we want to.

“Clint is certainly not the only threat Fulham have by any means, but he does create a lot and he’s scored quite a few this season already. It might be a case of stopping the ball getting to him.

“Whether it’s ugly or pretty at the moment it doesn’t matter. We need three points.”

Wanderers have been prevented from putting clear daylight between themselves and the relegation race because of shock wins for Wigan and QPR against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool over the last fortnight.

But they head into a clash with the Cottagers on the back of their best form for more than five years – a feat in itself, Ream reckons, considering what the club has been through.

“I think how we’ve gone about things recently shows the fight we’ve got and the will to get out of the situation we’re in,” he said. “When Fabrice went down, we came together that little bit more as a squad and we’ve all got a boost from the fact he’s recovering well.

“Sure, I would have liked some of the other results to go our way. But we’ve got to take care of our own business, and that way we’ll stay clear of the bottom three.”

One of the chief threats this weekend comes in the form of Fulham gun-slinger Dempsey, who has hit 19 goals in all competitions. The 29-year-old could be rewarded for what might turn out to be the best Premier League campaign by any American with a new three-year contract at Craven Cottage.

And Ream wouldn’t begrudge him a moment of success.

“Clint has done really well for himself and it’s all come from hard work,” he said.

“It’s good to see that is coming to fruition because he’s doing what every one of us wants to do.”

Dempsey became the most costly MLS export in 2007 when he moved to Fulham for £1.5million, but few would argue the West Londoners haven’t had their money’s worth.

The midfielder-turned-striker has made 219 appearances and scored 56 goals in six seasons, and now boasts 83 international caps.

But Ream – who became the most expensive American defender in history when he left New York Red Bulls for £2.5million in January – believes his chances at club and international level would have been more restricted had he chosen more glamorous surroundings.

“It goes back to getting opportunities and I think smaller clubs are more willing to give a chance to a so-called unknown,” he said.

“Clint has made a great name for himself even though he signed for a club that isn’t the biggest in the world. The fact he has been playing regularly has made him better as a player.

“It’s a big thing for the national team too because they can draw on a player who is getting regular games.

“It would be easier to go to one of the bigger clubs but not necessarily get that chance.”