Surely he can't be fit enough to play straight away, can he? Not sure this is the way to go at all - Hulse was a target for us about four seasons ago - no shortage of goals in his career and he's a good target man, but he's been sitting doing nothing at QPR for months. I suppose this does indicate though that Leon Clarke's not coming back any time soon.
I don't like short term loans. There's always the pressure that you have to use them while they're there, even if you have better players on the books. I hope Hulse is genuinely committed to us, and doesn't just see this as an opportunity to gain some fitness.
I think that the short term loan is designed for exactly the predicament we have. We have a shortage of strikers and we need cover. I think that the move is a shrewd one, he brings some experience to a side lacking it at this level, and covers a weak area, in a move that will be cheap. I agree flooding a squad with many short term loans as has been done in the past creates inconsistency and stops cohesion in the squad, but I have never felt that the short term loan deals the SCP has done where unnecessary. They have always benefited the squad in some small way (Lee Cook bolstered our weak left side, Danny N'guessen was a useful player etc) so I trust that these players have been brought into the squad for the right reasons.
I'm not against this sort of short term loan. Our only fit senior striker is BWP, who's whole game revolves around having a decent strike-partner to deliver him through balls etc. We can't sign anyone permanantly because we're outside the transfer window, I don't believe we can sign a season-long loanee at the moment, and any free agents are going to be severely lacking in match-fitness. A short term loan is the only option we have, and bringing in an experienced pro from a Premier League club is a pretty good way to go. I also don't doubt Hulse will be putting a shift in. He's surplus to requirements at QPR and only scored 3 goals in two seasons for them. He's going to want to prove he's still got it (even if only to put himself in the shop window), and the only way he'll do that is to put in some decent performances.
I think it's a decent to good signing. He is 32 an hasn't played regularly in quite a while, so I think he will use this spell to try and convince CP to sign him permanently. With the way our wingers are creating chances, I'd fancy hulse to be on an end of a few crosses and get a few goals.
I like Hulse if he gets fully fit I wouldn't say no to a short term permanent deal in jan or the summer can be a very good player with experience much like Fuller is
If Fuller was available we wouldn't be needing Hulse, but there's hardly anything at all on the OS about Fuller, what his illness is or when he'll be back. It also tells me that Michael Smith hasn't progressed enough to be considered for a starting place, which is a bit disappointing. When I look through our large squad I really do wonder how many of them have a realistic chance of first-team football.
Hopefully Fuller's illness was just a 24 hour bug rather than anything serious (certainly not what is rumoured on CL hopefully). I think Fuller would be our best choice if we maintain the 4-5-1 we used against Blackburn. As brilliant as BWP is, he scores most goals by sneaking past defenders and into space. He can't do that when alone up front, as both CB's have their eyes on him. Fuller has the physical presence which to some extent BWP lacks, whilst not necessarily being a 'back to goal' striker in the way Hulse appears to be. RE the size of our squad, and players not getting a chance. I feel Smith would have come on for the last 10 minutes had we been ahead at Blackburn. I do hope the likes of Smith/Bover etc get a chance this season, they didn't get one when we were in League One and hopefully the only way for us is up. If they're not capable of the jump at 20 years old or thereabouts, then it may be detrimental to their careers to keep them with us.
We have also signed James Ashton on a season-long loan to fill that CM spot in the under-21 team where we have been having to play Poyet, who is still an u-18. Ashton played two or three games and then disappeared so I assumed he hadn't impressed. He had a great pedigree as a junior but seems to have lost his way, and his fitness, a bit. If he can get them back he would be a useful player.
Hornet fan in peace. DO you think Hulse will start tonight? Also got a match thread running on our board for tonight. Good luck for the season & hope tonight is a good game !
Don't think Hulse will start no. BWP had a decent game on Saturday (despite not being suited to a 4-5-1), and Fuller is surely ahead of him in terms of both ability and match-fitness. Though if we go back to a 4-4-2, and Fuller is still ill, then Hulse will start alongside BWP. Unlikely though as he's not match-fit and has only trained with the squad for one day.
