For me, this is great news if it comes to pass. For me, he's an old-fashioned centre forward. Not particularly fast, looks fat, but it's only actually a fat arse he has, and drifts out of matches. But bloody hell, he gets around, puts himself around, can head well, and has a good shot. Best of all, he's a consistent scorer. Last time I sawn him play for the u23s, he was playing lone striker & doing ok. In the same game, Malik (wunderkid CF from last year's u18 team) wasn't doing so well out wide in the 3 behind him, although does well up front. Still think I'd like to see CAM Stokes break though myself. There's a long season to go, so fingers crossed. http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/09/20/leeds-united-boss-garry-monk-raves-about-frank-mulhern/? Garry Monk has told today's (20th September's) printed version of the Daily Mirrorthat Leeds United striker Frank Mulhern has a huge future ahead of him. Mulhern has scored regularly for Leeds’ at youth and reserve level this term, and he is on the verge of a first-team call-up. The 19-year-old has certainly caught the eye of Monk, who has backed him to make an impact at Championship level. "Frank has got a massive future. He is a young boy in a man’s body already, and he’s got a great touch," Monk said. "The Championship is tough and demanding, but Frank has the physical attributes to handle it and he can flourish, given a chance." Mulhern is yet to make his debut for Leeds’ senior side, but there have been suggestions that he could play in their League Cup match against Blackburn Rovers tonight. However, the youngster did start in Leeds’ under-23’s side’s match yesterday - suggesting that he may have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench. If Mulhern does want to break into Leeds’ first-team, he will have to beat off competition from Chris Wood and Marcus Antonsson for a place in their starting line-up. Mulhern has scored three goals so far this season for Leeds’ under-23 side, and also is a regular with Republic of Ireland’s under-19 side.
WJ. I accept he's as good as you say as you've watched him play but I find it odd, last transfer window Monk is saying we need one more 'quality' striker next he's bigging up another academy product. Personally, think he's been told there's no money for one in January (probably to pay for Pontus - I'll settle for that). Hope you're right about Mulhern
To be fair to Monk (and I haven't always!), he had no idea of the u23 capability at the time of the window, although Viera's breakthrough is anomalous to that statement & I can't explain it. I only agree that it's time for him to get some game time. Think he still has a lot to learn - but 20 mins in the LC could teach him so much more than months & months of u23 slog, IMO. Still need a quality striker, IMO. Wood has zero competition. I do love the idea of Peter Crouch signing for us - even in the short term.
WJ. Not digging you out, very interested in your opinion of Mulhern, you have seen him more times than anyone. Actually, I'd prefer a good young'un on the way up (a George Graham adage) than a Crouch who is looking at his retirement fund. Just pointing out a change in his comments. Hope it is because he's had a good look at Mulhern
I'm hoping so too, but the diamond for me is Stokes. I love a midfielder that ghosts into the box & scores regularly.
Mulhern has the ability to become a very good player, best I've seen from him is on the right of a two man attack, can also operate as a 10 ... Stokes another good striker, can also be a 10 ... U23 staff are trying the lads out in a variety of positions, that includes the squad btw ... example, Purver a good CM has played at RB and Taylor RB and CB ... this may just be part of their education, but it would be good to see the top prospects being played in their strongest positions for the season Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Seems as though he's moving up the development ladder. If he does okay at Southport, maybe he'll return for a place on our bench or et loaned out to a L1 side for the rest of the season.
3 months means we know by then if we need to invest big for a striker in January. If Frank does well he goes into the squad and saves us a fortune unless Wood and Roofe fail badly before then
