Bantams striker James Hanson in the firing line after costly miss

7:00am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Nathan Doyle (centre) – who dropped back to centre half against Morecambe – clears the danger during yesterday’s goalless draw Nathan Doyle (centre) – who dropped back to centre half against Morecambe – clears the danger during yesterday’s goalless draw

Phil Parkinson is confident James Hanson can bounce straight back from his big miss at Morecambe.

The striker wasted a late chance to win it as City were held to a goalless draw at the Globe Arena yesterday despite dominating.

City, who would have gone fourth with a victory, bossed the second half in front of a massive travelling army. But Hanson scorned the best of several chances when he put a close-range header straight at goalkeeper Barry Roche.

Parkinson said: “That had to go in. You’ve got to score those chances and he knows that.

“But you look at Premier League strikers worth £50m and they miss chances.

“The next one’s got to go in but he’s got to keep working hard on the training ground. It doesn’t just happen, he’s got to keep practising.

“But as I’ve told James, he’ll always get chances and I’m sure the next one will go in.”

Parkinson was pleased with his side’s response to the 4-2 Valley Parade loss against Rochdale. He had changed the shape, bringing Ricky Ravenhill and Ritchie Jones back in midfield and moving Nathan Doyle to centre half.

He added: “We were solid and professional and the extra energy in midfield certainly helped us.

“I thought we played some really good stuff in their half. Ricky was excellent in the midfield and we passed it well on a very difficult surface.

“We went 4-4-2 for the last 20 minutes to try to win the game because I felt Morecambe were happy with a point. We did everything we could in terms of substitutions but we couldn’t get that goal.

“I felt we needed Nathan’s calmness at the back and the assurance he gives the team. On Saturday, I thought we were a bit rash in everything we did on the ball. We had a big following yesterday and Nathan gives us a cool head.

“He was disappointed with his performance against Rochdale, although I did make the excuse of his illness, which was a valid one. Nathan’s a very good player and he showed it again.

“We defended well and I felt comfortable. We should have won it but it gives us something to move forward with, which was important.” Garry Thompson missed a return to his old club with a knee injury. He had a scan on Monday and is expected to be out for another week to ten days.

James Meredith was also suffering with the bug that has swept the squad and had to be subbed at half-time.

Parkinson said: “He’d been feeling under the weather for a while and was sick before the game.

“James wanted to play but he was clearly a million miles away physically from where he should be and we had to take him off.”

Comments(41)

bahamianbantam says...
8:10am Wed 2 Jan 13

Whilst JH's lack of goals is concerning - the lack of goals from midfield is appalling: I think half a dozen at most. We wu 'll not go up with same away record in second half of season and Home form is shaky.
Certainly need creative midfielder and Centre Back.

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tyker2 says...
8:22am Wed 2 Jan 13

completely agree

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Old Dave says...
9:29am Wed 2 Jan 13

Disagree massively! It's the other end of the field we need to sort out! We need strikers who take chances to score! Hanson, wells and Connell look threatening but how often does the ball go into the opposition box with no striker on the end of it? We need a goal poacher, like a Thorne, futcher or a Campbell!

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Mangotakeaway says...
9:34am Wed 2 Jan 13

Talking of misses, was it 2-2 against Rochdale when Reid had an awful shot when 1 on 1 with keeper and could have squared to Thompson who would have had an open net??

Not seen that mentioned since!

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flashman says...
9:53am Wed 2 Jan 13

I don't wish to get on Hanson's back but his strike rate is just not good enough and if we want to get out of this division we need to get a big (proven in this division)centre forward in the Jan transfer window. We all know JH is a good all rounder wins the ball in the air, lays the ball off well and helps out in defence but we need someone who can but Reid's excellent crosses into the back of the net. Get someone in PP and IMO we will go up, don't and .........

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Mangotakeaway says...
9:55am Wed 2 Jan 13

Who?
I have heard, Lee Hughes, Mido and Pope all mentioned in last few weeks.

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Citygentleman1968 says...
10:06am Wed 2 Jan 13

Ok, so are our cups half full or half empty? You can look at our league position in two ways. For those whose cup is half full, yes we are 7th position, but only 3 points behind 3rd place. All the top teams lost over the Xmas and New Year Period. (Look at Southend, the in-form team and lost twice). Would we have taken 3 points off an auto promotion place back in August? Anyone saying No, is living in cloud cuckoo land. For those whose cup are half empty, yes we have lost some form of late and have dropped from a potentially 3rd place down to the last play-off place and goals are hard to come by some what.
Personally, I would have snapped the hand off anyone who offered this situation back in August. This is an extremely tight league and any team in the top 10 will fancy their chances. Automatic place is what we all want, but a play-off place is by no means a tradgedy. Anyone top 10 team can do this! Happy new year to you all

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Peter300 says...
10:18am Wed 2 Jan 13

Citygentleman1968 wrote:
Ok, so are our cups half full or half empty? You can look at our league position in two ways. For those whose cup is half full, yes we are 7th position, but only 3 points behind 3rd place. All the top teams lost over the Xmas and New Year Period. (Look at Southend, the in-form team and lost twice). Would we have taken 3 points off an auto promotion place back in August? Anyone saying No, is living in cloud cuckoo land. For those whose cup are half empty, yes we have lost some form of late and have dropped from a potentially 3rd place down to the last play-off place and goals are hard to come by some what. Personally, I would have snapped the hand off anyone who offered this situation back in August. This is an extremely tight league and any team in the top 10 will fancy their chances. Automatic place is what we all want, but a play-off place is by no means a tradgedy. Anyone top 10 team can do this! Happy new year to you all
I endorse this view entirely. Sensible comment which is in sharp contrast to the usual knee-jerk, panic-stricken headless chickens who are up and running if City don't win. Remember these are the people who wanted Parkinson sacked last season. They have no idea, no vision and offer stupid off the cuff solutions. They will never learn. They can only complain.

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Rambo says...
10:20am Wed 2 Jan 13

Mangotakeaway wrote:
Talking of misses, was it 2-2 against Rochdale when Reid had an awful shot when 1 on 1 with keeper and could have squared to Thompson who would have had an open net??

Not seen that mentioned since!
Yup, I mentioned this on another forum. It was right on half time and the score was 4-2. But yeah, he had 2 men at the centre and back post he could have squared to but went for the glory.

What annoyed me most of all was him laughing about it being so wayward like he does sometimes. Not the moment to do that, after such a bad fist half.

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flashman says...
10:22am Wed 2 Jan 13

Mido injured, Pope wish we could get him but doubt he's available and IMO no one wants Lee Hughes at this club. Izale McLeod maybe if available ?

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bahamianbantam says...
10:24am Wed 2 Jan 13

Whilst JH's lack of goals is concerning - the lack of goals from midfield is appalling: I think half a dozen at most. We wu 'll not go up with same away record in second half of season and Home form is shaky.
Certainly need creative midfielder and Centre Back.

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1 bingley bantam says...
10:32am Wed 2 Jan 13

I agree with all the comments in the past he works hard and helps out the defence etc etc but his primary role as a striker is surely to score goals and im talking ball park here but to my reckoning Hanson must have played 30 plus games and scored 5 goals simply terrible.
Missed a sitter on Saturday also for a big guy his heading leaves a lot to be desired imo.

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Rambo says...
10:33am Wed 2 Jan 13

Port Vale are more stable financially and won't sell their best player to a rival - he's virtually kept them in the top 2 on his own. Lee Hughes, personally no. Though he probably would guarantee goals, after all the hard work we've done to improve our reputation signing him would be a step back.

McLeod yes. But not sure if he'd want to relocate after being based in the south for so long - might be more southern interest.

A few have mentioned Tom Eaves at Bolton - on loan at Bristol Rovers, scored 7 in 15 (including one against us) and 6ft 5in.

Despite who we're naming PP will want someone who's mentality will fit into the side he's built rather than a big name.

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bcfc1903 says...
10:35am Wed 2 Jan 13

Someone mentioned shaky home form lol...we have one of the best home records in the league...i'd be looking at Adebayo Akinfenwa from Northampton to help shoulder some of the load up front...as we know he's a very powerful player and he scores goals. We are in danger of burning Hanson out so get him some help. Like every BCFC fan, i'd have snapped your hand off if offered our league position after 25 games at the start of the season...it's dreamland when the league cup run is added. BCFC's first major semifinal appearance since 1911 puts this season nicely in perspective.

**
We shout with pride....we'll never hide...Claret and Amber!!!!!

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park bantam says...
10:36am Wed 2 Jan 13

Considering that Reid has been back just over a fortnight and during that time has put in seven or eight excellent crosses two of which gave chances to Hanson which it would have been much easier to score who can blame him for having a go himself

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gusbantam says...
10:38am Wed 2 Jan 13

I sometimes wonder if I watch the same games as many other fans (& occasionally PP!) Hanson is a poor quality player, he has scored seven goals this season in a side who are in the top 7, he has played nearly every game and hardly ever gets subbed. This is a poor return for a target man. He is slow, his knock downs that many rave about are usually misdirected as he is poor in the air. He doesn't add anything. Typically people say he helps out at the back- a classic get out for a player who adds little to his actual position. The only reason he plays is that Wells needs a target man and PP likes to go long as a supplement to the passing game. Please can we not find a better version? If we wanna get out of the division we have to.

Personally I think if he signed a top, tall striker (from league one/championship), paid a bit over the budget, and one or two loans for support for midfield and defence we'd secure an automatic slot. This division is so open, we have a great chance of getting out this year.

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Freddy says...
10:39am Wed 2 Jan 13

*
Quote " “We went 4-4-2 for the last 20 minutes to try to win the game because I felt Morecambe were happy with a point."
*
*
I know nobody will agree with me, but I would like to see a 4-3-3 formation--if City are going to try and win a Match--like this Morecambe one. More fire power --or possible snapping up a loose ball chance, is more likely to occur, if there are three players moving into in the box.
*
Against Accy. Stan. --when City were playing against TEN players. They put up to 4 players into and around the box whilst in attack.. Reid's cross--met by Connells' excellent running headed goal. Was backed up by TWO more City players behind Connell on the other side of the box- also running in, as back up to the cross..
*
Surely--if City play against Ten Men --the formation change should be to 4-3-3. To try and win the match?.
*
I have NO-Doubt--that my comment will be rubbished--as usual !!!!.
*
How I have noticed in the past that Hanson heads a good cross straight at the Keeper. I have commented --that he should practice heading the ball downwards towards the corners of the Target. Or learn to glance them into a corner. I feel these crosses need to be practised by Reid & Hines from both Wings--on to Hanson--to head down into the corner of the Goal.
*
*

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City86 says...
10:40am Wed 2 Jan 13

imo we are missing an attacking midfielder.completle
y agree with the comments above in regards to the lack of goals in midfield.good teams have a good striker who scores on a regular basis.great teams create goals from other areas as well.also think we really need an experienced centre back,naylor really struggled against rochdale.anyway i am all for positivity,im sure parky will do some good business this month and we will make our long awaiting push for promotion as all city fans deserve!!

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shoesmaker4 says...
11:00am Wed 2 Jan 13

in truth i think that we are very close to being a very good team , all in all when we play other than against rochdale we seem very good at the back but to me we just old on and just get through ,we are also still in a very good place in the table but need to get better on the goals front to get out of this league, i would stick with james as he puts himself about on the pitch but need more goals from some where to kill teames of come on city

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Peter Beagrie Is Mint says...
11:24am Wed 2 Jan 13

gusbantam wrote:
I sometimes wonder if I watch the same games as many other fans (& occasionally PP!) Hanson is a poor quality player, he has scored seven goals this season in a side who are in the top 7, he has played nearly every game and hardly ever gets subbed. This is a poor return for a target man. He is slow, his knock downs that many rave about are usually misdirected as he is poor in the air. He doesn't add anything. Typically people say he helps out at the back- a classic get out for a player who adds little to his actual position. The only reason he plays is that Wells needs a target man and PP likes to go long as a supplement to the passing game. Please can we not find a better version? If we wanna get out of the division we have to.

Personally I think if he signed a top, tall striker (from league one/championship), paid a bit over the budget, and one or two loans for support for midfield and defence we'd secure an automatic slot. This division is so open, we have a great chance of getting out this year.
This is it in a nutshell. Please read and digest this. (Especially you Mr Parkinson)

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Peter Beagrie Is Mint says...
11:24am Wed 2 Jan 13

gusbantam wrote:
I sometimes wonder if I watch the same games as many other fans (& occasionally PP!) Hanson is a poor quality player, he has scored seven goals this season in a side who are in the top 7, he has played nearly every game and hardly ever gets subbed. This is a poor return for a target man. He is slow, his knock downs that many rave about are usually misdirected as he is poor in the air. He doesn't add anything. Typically people say he helps out at the back- a classic get out for a player who adds little to his actual position. The only reason he plays is that Wells needs a target man and PP likes to go long as a supplement to the passing game. Please can we not find a better version? If we wanna get out of the division we have to.

Personally I think if he signed a top, tall striker (from league one/championship), paid a bit over the budget, and one or two loans for support for midfield and defence we'd secure an automatic slot. This division is so open, we have a great chance of getting out this year.
This is it in a nutshell. Please read and digest this. (Especially you Mr Parkinson)

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oldmod says...
12:04pm Wed 2 Jan 13

bahamianbantam wrote:
Whilst JH's lack of goals is concerning - the lack of goals from midfield is appalling: I think half a dozen at most. We wu 'll not go up with same away record in second half of season and Home form is shaky.
Certainly need creative midfielder and Centre Back.
Do you mean like Dave Sayers 3 goals in 3 games. Should never have let this lad go scores em and makes em. Parky underestimated his value in midfield.

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JamesRobertshaw says...
12:30pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Think we need to play Hanson but I think we also need to play 2 goal scorers, someone who can find the back of the net and play Hanson just behind the front 2, kind of like the 4-3-1-2 formation.

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flashman says...
1:12pm Wed 2 Jan 13

IMO we just need to play 4 4 2 any 2 from 3 wingers Reid/Hines/Atkinson with a holding midfielder G Jones ? an attacking midfielder (to sign) Nakki in attack (with a decent tall centre forward - to sign).The rest of the attackers can be supersubs ! Defence seems sound and also has injured players to come back. Hopefully these are the positions PP is looking at.

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bremmers the bantam says...
1:42pm Wed 2 Jan 13

flashman wrote:
Mido injured, Pope wish we could get him but doubt he's available and IMO no one wants Lee Hughes at this club. Izale McLeod maybe if available ?
Izzy Mcleod has been released by Portsmouth in the last week, as has Gareth Evans by Rotherham.

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flashman says...
1:55pm Wed 2 Jan 13

bremmers the bantam wrote:
flashman wrote:
Mido injured, Pope wish we could get him but doubt he's available and IMO no one wants Lee Hughes at this club. Izale McLeod maybe if available ?
Izzy Mcleod has been released by Portsmouth in the last week, as has Gareth Evans by Rotherham.
Looks like McLeods on his way back to MK Dons - anyone any more ideas ?

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Lynchie says...
1:55pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I agree with the comments that we are doing as well as many fans expected and are in the pay off region-but what worries many fans we were with yesterday is the increasing lack of quality in midfield and up front-no disrepect to Morecome but we should be beating sides like this and Barnet on saturday if we want to maintain our excellent start to the season plus ensure that when teams around us slip up we take full advantage-the team that started yesterday had nobody who has scored in the League in the last five games-ok Thompson was injured but Connel was available but didn't make an appearance-the lack of goals may come back to haunt us at the end of the season as it is so tight at the moment-the general consensus around us yesterday was we desparately need a striker and a midfielder who is prepared to shoot from distance and make late runs into the box.

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340stopper says...
2:15pm Wed 2 Jan 13

bremmers the bantam wrote:
flashman wrote: Mido injured, Pope wish we could get him but doubt he's available and IMO no one wants Lee Hughes at this club. Izale McLeod maybe if available ?
Izzy Mcleod has been released by Portsmouth in the last week, as has Gareth Evans by Rotherham.
Evans was one of the two Fleetwood signings yesterday.

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macca1969 says...
3:09pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I agree that Hanson works really hard for the team but his finishing is and has always been poor. We need a specialist in that position but can we afford one? After all most teams want a natural striker with jimmy's work ethic and to be honest they are a little thin on the ground. Lets hope pp knows where to look as this is the main concern. A rest may help James in the long term

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bigphill says...
3:42pm Wed 2 Jan 13

The team that started on Tuesday has scored only10 Goals in the league all season, 5 of which were by Hanson who has sored just once since September. The subs bench included Wells and Connell who have 19 league goals between them. The likelyhood of City amassing 1 goal in the game was pretty remote with that selection!

Does anyone remember a goal threat from a City corner? Gary Jones has obviously been told to launch the ball into the clouds and try and drop it on Hansons head, NOT WORKING! the portfolio on Bradford tactics held by other clubs must be writ large on the back of a postage stamp. Team spirit will not carry us to a succesfull conclusion to the campaign. New ideas are urgently needed.

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mickyoi says...
3:47pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Dont get me wrong i really like Hanson but he is the only player we have whos position is safe as we have no one pushing him for his place. I woud have Benson in a breath, did a good job for Swindon last year. just my opinion though.

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flashman says...
3:56pm Wed 2 Jan 13

mickyoi wrote:
Dont get me wrong i really like Hanson but he is the only player we have whos position is safe as we have no one pushing him for his place. I woud have Benson in a breath, did a good job for Swindon last year. just my opinion though.
Oh forgot about Benson he is a PP favourite and Di Canio has said he can leave Swindon although Portsmouth have shown an interest, maybe PP can work his magic ?

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balbrigganfc says...
4:25pm Wed 2 Jan 13

As sensationally predicted, City stormed away with a very positive result against the Shrimps.

I am predicting City to storm away with yet another positive result against Barnet, and to sign more players this month.

Nobody makes predictions like me, nobody.

Come on you Bantams, CTID!

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huggy b says...
4:44pm Wed 2 Jan 13

In other words: "If the next sitter doesn't go in, James, you'll be back at Guiseley on loan for the rest of the season and we'll sign a target man who can score from 3 yards out. So think on lad" Or something like that!
;-)

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s.b.c says...
5:44pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Have always shown my support for JH.& his commitment to the team, but for what good he has been doing recently we could go on to the field without him & i doubt whether it would be noticed.

Seriously been thinking could he possibly be made into a decent centre half.


Have time & time again posted the midfield plays too deep, far to many players staying in our own half when we are attacking.

Its taken the last three games for all the above posts to come in.

Hope PP. can see the strategy isn't working either.

PP.has put together a good group of players with great team spirit.

Hope it doesn't go wrong just for the sake of some positive & creative thinking.

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Citygentleman1968 says...
6:11pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Not sure if it's relevant but George green has just signed his first pro contract with everton. Do we get money for this or will it be based on appearances?

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340stopper says...
6:27pm Wed 2 Jan 13

mickyoi wrote:
Dont get me wrong i really like Hanson but he is the only player we have whos position is safe as we have no one pushing him for his place. I woud have Benson in a breath, did a good job for Swindon last year. just my opinion though.
Despite concerns over his knee he is still averaging almost a goal every other game, even now at Portsmouth (which is a struggling club) where he is on loan at the moment.
He does not as yet appear to be missing any games through injury.
This is not a criticsm of BCFC decision not to sign him which was totally understandable,merel
y on observation of the player you mentioned.

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340stopper says...
6:35pm Wed 2 Jan 13

balbrigganfc wrote:
As sensationally predicted, City stormed away with a very positive result against the Shrimps. I am predicting City to storm away with yet another positive result against Barnet, and to sign more players this month. Nobody makes predictions like me, nobody. Come on you Bantams, CTID!
My prediction is that you will make yet even more predictions !!

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fantam says...
7:18pm Wed 2 Jan 13

hnson never has been and never will be a decent goal-scoring forward, and no amount of practice will make any difference. I'm surprised that Parkinson has any faith in him=he' just a big clumsy lad
To get up we need a proven striker fit for leagues 2 and 3.

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Waynus1971 says...
5:15pm Thu 3 Jan 13

flashman wrote:
mickyoi wrote: Dont get me wrong i really like Hanson but he is the only player we have whos position is safe as we have no one pushing him for his place. I woud have Benson in a breath, did a good job for Swindon last year. just my opinion though.
Oh forgot about Benson he is a PP favourite and Di Canio has said he can leave Swindon although Portsmouth have shown an interest, maybe PP can work his magic ?
I have also mentioned Benson as a possible. Taking aside the problem that scuppered the original offer to sign him, are we too late now?

Isn't there a rule that prevents a player playing for more than 2 sides in a season? He has already played games for Swindon and Pompey, so would he be allowed to play for anyone else, even if interested?

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bobby98007 says...
1:21pm Fri 4 Jan 13

Peter Beagrie Is Mint wrote:
gusbantam wrote:
I sometimes wonder if I watch the same games as many other fans (& occasionally PP!) Hanson is a poor quality player, he has scored seven goals this season in a side who are in the top 7, he has played nearly every game and hardly ever gets subbed. This is a poor return for a target man. He is slow, his knock downs that many rave about are usually misdirected as he is poor in the air. He doesn't add anything. Typically people say he helps out at the back- a classic get out for a player who adds little to his actual position. The only reason he plays is that Wells needs a target man and PP likes to go long as a supplement to the passing game. Please can we not find a better version? If we wanna get out of the division we have to.

Personally I think if he signed a top, tall striker (from league one/championship), paid a bit over the budget, and one or two loans for support for midfield and defence we'd secure an automatic slot. This division is so open, we have a great chance of getting out this year.
This is it in a nutshell. Please read and digest this. (Especially you Mr Parkinson)
I agree that if he had pace, he would be lethal, however you have to look at other factors.

You say its a poor return for a "target man" the role of a target man is to hoof the ball up to and let him win the ball and create chances for others, which is precisley what he does. Probably better than anyone in the league. You play your football in this manner, and he wont score, but other players will from what he makes.

Nakhi Wells would not have scored as many has he already has this season, without James Hanson.

I personally think he has suffered with our main midfield threats not being available (notably Reid) and the weakening of the defence, maybe he feels/is instructed to help out the defence because of the loss of our two main defence players (Oliver and Davies).

He also plays a full 90 minutes in every game pretty much, where Connell and Wells get subbed on and off for each other, he never gets this.

I think any player put through 90 minutes of every match, cup and league, lose the main players supplying the opportunites to score, an increase his defensive responsibilites, added responsibilites at home and being played as "target man" rather than out and out striker might see his goal tally reduced, dont you?

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