Hanson keeping fellow Bradford City strikers on their toes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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James Hanson keeping fellow Bradford City strikers on their toes
7:20am Friday 27th July 2012 in Bantams
By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter
James Hanson makes his presence felt during City’s pre-season victory at Wexford Youths
James Hanson is ready to keep turning up the pre-season heat on his attacking rivals.
Hanson has roared into City’s warm-up campaign by netting three goals in the opening two games, including a double at Wexford Youths on Tuesday.
The big targetman has delivered a powerful message to new signings Alan Connell and Garry Thompson and is eyeing more of the same when the Irish tour steps up a grade at Premier Division Bray Wanderers tomorrow.
Hanson finished top-scorer last term and is determined to carry on from where he left off.
“We’ve all worked very hard in pre-season and I probably feel fitter than I did last year,” he said.
“It was a massive pitch on Tuesday and all the lads were dreading going out there. But it was a really good work-out and we looked sharp.
“The fitness levels are really good – the new lads coming in are just as strong – and everything’s going well.
“We’ve got five or six at the club who can play up front now with Alan Connell coming in and Thommo also sees himself as a striker. I don’t know how the gaffer will keep everyone happy.
“But all you can do in pre-season is go out there and try to score goals and keep impressing.
“If you’re wearing the shirt and scoring goals, then hopefully you’ll keep your place.”
Hanson’s partnership with Ross Hannah has already produced six goals between them, even though they only played a half together at Tadcaster and an hour in midweek. Nahki Wells has also come on to score in both games.
“You can tell the confidence is high and I’m looking to carry that on and push the other strikers along,” said Hanson.
That self-belief was evident from his second goal against Wexford, a stunning drive into the top corner with his weaker right foot.
Hanson said: “I probably wouldn’t have tried that if I wasn’t feeling so good. But that’s what confidence does.
“That leg is usually my ‘swinger’ and all the lads were in shock in the dressing room afterwards.
“They’ve seen me in shooting practice in training and couldn’t believe that one flying in the top corner!
“But I scored a few like that in my non-league days and it would be nice to get some more now.”
Comments(19)
prince35
says...
8:13am Fri 27 Jul 12
Taylor,mccall,etc have all picked him.
Hes a resiliant young man.
I really think this year he will score 20 goals this coming season
dannbradfc
says...
8:55am Fri 27 Jul 12
Consider how many goals he got in a poor season and negative formation with Connell who netted 13 in a title winning side.
Another question i have is still the Thompson situation. IF Parkinson knew he preferred playing up front now was he definately brought in as a striker? If so would others have chosen him solely based on that role?
Most of us know Thompson from playing on the right. This is the position i believe previous managers at city have shown interest in. Parkinson needs to solve this one. Its already started debate as to whether thompson was a parkinson signing, based on he hasn't clarified where he see's him in the side, plus previuos interest shown by city prior to PP's arrival. same could be said of Jones.
Having versality in a smaller squad is useful but players themselves often don't show the body language to say that they are happy in certain positions. Evans been one example.
fagan was arguably wasted been messed around on the right last season thus we don't need to waste most of the season finding our preferred team/formation etc.
One thing i hope we do is have a go this year. There's players in the squad suited to get at teams and it would be a diservice to them and the fans to have the overly negative safety first football of last season. Plus it got us no-where. Ideally attack from the off at home and be solid away......
Blackmeister
says...
9:29am Fri 27 Jul 12
Botswana Bantam
says...
10:53am Fri 27 Jul 12
Blackmeister wrote:Agree! My first thought was 1980's fag packet! Bring back the pink!! er...Bring back the voltage cherry!!!
Don't like the new away kit. It has been released today on official site. All I can say is that if it makes a footballer look fat, how good is the average Bradfordian going to look on their travels ..........OMG
cullboy
says...
12:18pm Fri 27 Jul 12
spleen ventor
says...
12:20pm Fri 27 Jul 12
It's time the fans were given a say on kit selection like they are at other clubs.
LuvFootball
says...
12:34pm Fri 27 Jul 12
tyker2
says...
1:37pm Fri 27 Jul 12
LuvFootball wrote:usually because they are not good enough. WEither they are not going to make it in the league or are past it.
Flynn signed for Newport, that is a shock. Saying that though, everytime we appear to have a good player that we rate, they always seem to end up playing none league football. Does anybody rate our good players at all, or we just a bit dillusional because of the standard we have so an average player in our midst appears to be hitting above his level? Bower, Hendrie, Flynn even the players that get out crowds buzzing and calls for England for example Forrest all seem to disappear into none league when we let them go.
Having said that Newport lost Doherty (our ex player a whichever way you spell it) to Exeter recently
mickyoi
says...
2:45pm Fri 27 Jul 12
spleen ventor wrote:I agree mate. Let's get the blue away kit back for the blue army of travelling fans. The new kit is horrendous and won't shift many in the shop.
On the away kit...absolutely hideous...who the hell as say on the choice of kit..Stevie Wonder!
It's time the fans were given a say on kit selection like they are at other clubs.
mickyoi
says...
2:47pm Fri 27 Jul 12
Botswana Bantam wrote:20 super kings
Blackmeister wrote:Agree! My first thought was 1980's fag packet! Bring back the pink!! er...Bring back the voltage cherry!!!
Don't like the new away kit. It has been released today on official site. All I can say is that if it makes a footballer look fat, how good is the average Bradfordian going to look on their travels ..........OMG
cudelse
says...
3:36pm Fri 27 Jul 12
shoesman1
says...
4:57pm Fri 27 Jul 12
COLATS
says...
5:01pm Fri 27 Jul 12
ricky76
says...
6:14pm Fri 27 Jul 12
cookie_brighton
says...
6:39pm Fri 27 Jul 12
r, im putting a picture of it on my window, to keep the burglars away lol
Pablo
says...
7:18pm Fri 27 Jul 12
dannbradfc wrote:Dann, as in everday business life, the Board holds sway and I wouldn't be surprised that, as our joint chairmen have a keen practical interest in football, various suggestions are regularly made by them on players they'd like to see at VP.
I'm an Hanson fan.
Consider how many goals he got in a poor season and negative formation with Connell who netted 13 in a title winning side.
Another question i have is still the Thompson situation. IF Parkinson knew he preferred playing up front now was he definately brought in as a striker? If so would others have chosen him solely based on that role?
Most of us know Thompson from playing on the right. This is the position i believe previous managers at city have shown interest in. Parkinson needs to solve this one. Its already started debate as to whether thompson was a parkinson signing, based on he hasn't clarified where he see's him in the side, plus previuos interest shown by city prior to PP's arrival. same could be said of Jones.
Having versality in a smaller squad is useful but players themselves often don't show the body language to say that they are happy in certain positions. Evans been one example.
fagan was arguably wasted been messed around on the right last season thus we don't need to waste most of the season finding our preferred team/formation etc.
One thing i hope we do is have a go this year. There's players in the squad suited to get at teams and it would be a diservice to them and the fans to have the overly negative safety first football of last season. Plus it got us no-where. Ideally attack from the off at home and be solid away......
Given all the comments now being made that Thompson now considers himself to be a striker, I think we are being conditioned to accept that the winger we all thought we'd signed, is actually a striker. I agree with your comment about Fagan as it appeared obvious to me that his preferred position was Centre Forward and his performances on the wing reflected this.
So, it's going to be interesting what our first choice striking duo is going to be. Like you, I'm a Hanson fan and was looking forward to the blossoming partnership with Wells. With Nahki's reluctance to sign a new deal, will he be frozen out? We'll have Hanson, Hannah, Thompson, Connell and Wells vying for two positions. I hope we don't adopt the "Tinkerman" approach, trying to keep everyone happy on a rotation system, rather than a tried and tested duo developing a understanding that evolves with playing regularly.
I'm certain that Parky will play "have a go" football. Thats one good thing about the 50/50 scheme, as we need to play attractive football to keep the 50/50 holders coming through the gates.
Correctness
says...
7:27pm Fri 27 Jul 12
dannbradfc
says...
3:03pm Sat 28 Jul 12
i miss stallard & murray says...
7:48am Fri 27 Jul 12