he's doing whats asked of him, which is to take the knocks up front and put himself about..... unsung hero IMO, other players get the plaudits but he's starting ahead of some good players and not without good reason......
Yeah agree with Swamp that his build up play and abiltity in the air is what's keeping him in the team. Not the best finisher and lacks pace but we've got plenty of that in the rest of the team. A good buy by Mackay
Heidi's a great tryer but not getting personal results as a goalscorer. His attitude and commitment aren't in question and Malky plays him for his nuisance value as much as anything else, but he's not the best answer up front. If Maynard hadn't done his cruciates a couple of weeks back, I think Helguson would be on the bench. He may still be if Malky backs young Mason in a more fluid setup. Personally, I'd give that a go and bring in Tommy Smith or even Mutch instead. That may sound like dropping back into a more defensive mode, but with Noone, Bellamy and Mason running at opposition defences, I think we could do a lot worse that bench Helguson and go for speed instead of grunt.
Hes doing as well as can be expected for a 35 year old. I would have preferred Bothroyd. Tommy Smith has been far more impressive.
Intelligent flicks, gets up amazingly well for a shortish guy. Holds the ball up but doesn't offer much spark at the age of 35 - a willing workhorse. Can't see him scoring more than 6 goals in a season, but he's doing the job asked of him. We have only two limited options up front for his job. Gestede is never fit, and Velikonja may turn out to be a very overpriced flop (can't get a kick).
thanks all he was always one of my favourite players shame he left...could do with those 6 goals iggy
Is Drogba esque when defending set pieces and last night made the best defensive header I've seen at the Ccs this season. I think he'll score more than 6 if he stays fit. Pretty sure it was his leap that caused the confusion for Hudsons winning goal. He's played pretty much every match and we're top of the league there were signs him and Bellers were starting a bit of a partnership. I'm happy we've got him. Other than that, what Swamp said.
HH seems a slightly better option than Miller last season. More disruption for the defenders than Miller though Miller offered more down the channels. With the squad around him I think HH is the better of the two and suits 442 better. As for Jay, I think the game would go on around him this campaign. I'd agree with him as a better player if his head was right. The thing that would switch him off this season would be the fact that he wouldn't be the big cog. With all the other tallent around him his ego would get in the way. As Stevo said, I think HH will get more than 6. After the Brum game, MM will be on his case to get on the end of those balls across the 6 yard box as he failed to make the speculative run. In a week or two we'll see a couple of toe pokes from 6 yards from HH. Not making the speculative lunge was something Jay was also guilty of. In the round, I'm happy with HH.
Sorry remote, but I don't think Helguson can get on the end of the balls we saw flashed across the box on Tuesady - he hasn't the pace and isn't played for that role. His strengths are more like being already in the box for set pieces and when we're constantly on the front foot compressing the opposition. Then he might get his toe-poke. The gameplan recently seems to be based on pace. Noone, Bellamy and perhaps Kimbo can turn defence into attack in split seconds - far too quickly for Helguson to respond. Maynard up there would have been perfect.
No need to appologise for you being wrong Sparkey. I agree on the pace bit, but sometimes it's what goes on in the head that gets you there. Recognising the threat and ambling into the right position is better than making a last ditched lunge. I take your point though. The way we attack down the flanks (and it's what I read and hear rather than see) the 'blind side' winger also needs to make those runs to get to the far post for a tap in. Noone / Bellamy should benefit from right wing crosses and Mason / Smith / Kimbo from left wing crosses. It's an easy game from the settee. If they do start getting on those positions with the service that is starting to come, I can see OG getting a few this season as well. If defenders know there's a striker or winger behind them, they'll hang a leg out and perhaps they'll get the 3 yard toe poke.
Must admit I always liked the OG toe-pokes - we've had a few off the Wurzels over the years. Mind you, our Darren Purse type is more spectacular. A rasping drive past our keeper was the norm.
OK, OK, guys - must be just a bloody flash in the pan!......................... Seriously though, I saw some dire stuff from us in the first half, but had to pack up the TV due to family arriving at half time. To be honest, at that time I wasn't dissappointed when I was ordered to switch the bloody thing off. The result is, I haven't seen his goals yet, only the description on the Beeb write up. What were they like? Did he get into the box to find the ball or was he already in there waiting for it. Genuine question because being in there annoying defenders is where I see his strengths, not having to get in there on the end of quick moves,
The first was a 3 yard toe poke after the keeper spilled a shot. He'd ambled into the box with a group of others and was first to react. For the second he peeled off to the back post, Rudy made a run towards the centre of the 6 yard box drawing the defenders and left HH at the back post un marked to nod in.