David Nugent scored his 20th goal of the season against Burnley making him the first Leicester player at this level to score 20 goals since Paul Dickov in 2002/2003. And we all know how that season ended. Matty Fryatt did score 32 goals during the League 1 season though with 27 of them in the League 18 of Nugent's goal have been in the League while only 16 of Paul Dickov's was in the League during 2002-03 season. The last Leicester player to score 20 League goals in a season was Gary Lineker so thats the next milestone for David Nugent or even Jamie Vardy who has 16 League goals for the season so far For years we have all been saying City need to find a 20 goal a season striker and while he has his critics Nugent has become that man while Jamie Vardy has also been superb. Chris Wood did score 22 goals last season but half of them was for Millwall so we have have 3 strikers on our books who are more then capable of scoring 20 goals in a season. None for years and 3 come along at once
Nuge has had a good season absolutely, no doubt, but let's not get carried away ... the fact that Nuge notching 20 necessitates a thread speaks volumes he should have been doing that at this level every season! ... facts are, he's only a twenty season striker due to the penalty count .... Vardy has more from open play ... and we shouldn't be knocking the fact that some of Wood's total last season came whilst playing for Millwall ... to score as many as he did for them should be applauded as the creativity would not have been as good as playing for us ... ... but every one of our players deserves credit for what they have contributed this season irrespective ... can I see Nuge scoring 20 in the Prem even with penalties? ... frankly no ... but let's take that as it comes - I can still see him having a role perhaps behind a front two ...
Is his highest ever goal tally. Could see him being a Rickie Lambert kind of player and reach his peak late in his career.
I know we can get a bit dismissive of goal tallies that include alot of penalties, but I always think that's unfair. This is a real specialist goal, and it isn't a coincidence that so many top strikers don't take penos. It requires the sort of steely nerve that isn't needed normally, so we shouldn't dismiss Nuge's achievements just because he notched a few penalties. They all count..and they are harder to score than the poachers tap in from two yards out.
Not dismissing at all - just needs a bit of perspective - I can't really get the analogy with Lambert either - Lambert's been prolific at all levels - Nuge hasn't - but Nuge is a better all round footballer than Lambert .. as I said - I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if he notched double figs in the Prem (even withs pens) because you get less chances and you need to be far more clinical to convert them.
Nuge has exceeded a record of one-goal-in-three-games in each season for us, even when we've been a middling side. People talk about 15-20 goal-a-season men, but there really aren't too many in each division each season and some of those hit those dizzying heights just once, then fade away. Nuge has always been there or thereabouts for us for three seasons now, which is very decent for a CENTRE FORWARD (Vardy is a striker). Does he miss chances? All strikers do, but many of the standout misses for me this season have been by Vardy (just to be clear, I'm not having a pop at Vardy, just pointing out that one of our strikers gets more unfair criticism than the other from some quarters). Also, regarding penos, we should note that the season isn't over yet and Nuge could hit 15-20 target without including the penalties. Will Nugent cut it in the Prem? I believe he's improved while at Leicester, but only time will tell if he's improved enough for the top flight. But I'd be surprised if we don't strengthen up front anyway. If I had to predict, I'd say he will be a fringe player, the way Phillips or Taylor-Fletcher is used now.
Its strange that we have banged in goals all season, yet the one area (bar LB) that i worry about most in the premiership is our strikers. Maybe Nuge could be better this time as we dont use him as a main man whereas if i remember right burnley and portmouth had their main goal hopes on him. I can see us going for fraizer campbel in the summer (young and english) if (when) cardiff go down or maybe darren bent (worryingly)
Think Portsmouth used him wide midfield a lot, the sort of position that Knocky plays. Was an interesting read from Wood about how KP talks him through goal scoring chances when they are both sat on the bench, and how he does some of the training for the forwards. Looks like he may be nailed on for a coaching position for us if he wants it. Personally, think Nuge has had a good season for us, but like ed says, may be a fringe player in the Prem. Campbell is a shout, but would prefer Rhodes or Austin providing they dont piss NP off.
Rhodes, Austin and McCormack will be hot property this summer imo, especially with Leeds in the financial constraint they currently are, could be going on the cheap.
In the unlikely scenario Burnley cock up promotion I would go straight in for Danny Ings Him and Vardy up front would be frightening quick for defenders You would need to break the bank for Rhodes so i wouldnt make him a target but Ross McCormack you could get for around 3-4M
Don't think my criticism of Nuge is unfair - has only ever been about his finishing - and I'd disagree about Vardy - he gets more half-chances perhaps but has generally worked them to get them ... Nuge on many occasions fails to hit the target from around the 6 yard line .. typical example was the Watford game at home .. Drinkwater scores a fabulous injury time equaliser .. but there is still time for one last attack ... Nuge get the ball centre of goal on the 6 yard line, spins, then hits it high wide and handsome when it was easier to hit the target ... Philips against Blackpool virtually the same place, same goal, buried ... it's a composure thing ... nothing personal against Nuge; I've commented many times on what a good season he has had and how his overall contribution has merited him being a fixture ... he also scores the odd screamer - Saturday's is typical of that ... but he has one failing as a striker ... a failure to convert (or at least hit the target) with a good number of bread and butter chances for a striker ...
Agreed - he made the Betfair Championship team of the week along with Wes and RDL ... I also like that he has a bit of fire in his belly ... and that burst he did in the secondhalf when he got to the byline and ended up getting a shot away ... he does seem a little nervous at the start of games ... but the longer they go on the more impressive he becomes ... Kightly is fairly decent but he got very little change out of Jeff.
