The Striker Situation

By Hutchy
February 9 2005

The loss of the high-scoring Stuart Elliott due to a fractured cheekbone this last month has put the spotlight back on Hull City's misfiring strikers and their contribution to the promotion campaign

In a side were the top scorers are left-winger Stuart Elliott (23 goals) and midfielder Stuart Green (10 goals), the lack of a clinical centre forward has been a concern for the Tigers all season.

The Protagonists:

The serious injury to big Ben Burgess late last season unfortunately put the leading scorer out for a year and Peter Taylor chose to replace the target-man with Stockport striker Aaron Wilbraham, who arrived in the summer for a transfer fee of £100k. Wilbraham however failed to make an instant impression and was dropped and subsequently loaned out to Oldham in a attempt to regain his confidence. On his return the 6ft 3 striker has shown signs of being able to hold up the ball and bring other players into play, however off the ball he rarely looks like getting into scoring positions and the tigers fans are yet to be convinced he merits a starting place.

Australian Danny Allsopp, who partnered Burgess last season to great effect in a partnership that scored 33 division three goals, has failed to live up to last seasons high standard. Whilst being a useful sub and still regarded as one of the better finishers at the club, last season demonstrated that maybe the goal poacher works best alongside a big target-man when he can feed off knock-downs and flick-on's. Rumour is he may be heading off to play down under at the end of the season.

(left to right: Nick Barmby, Danny Allsopp, Delroy Facey, Aaron Wilbraham, Jon Walters)

When the tigers pulled off a coup and signed Hull born ex-England international Nick Barmby in the summer, the fans wondered where he could be accommodated in the side. After first playing him ineffectively on the left or right of midfield, Peter Taylor realised playing him in a withdrawn second-striker role would be the way to get the most from him. Initially it took time for Nicky to get used to playing with players of a lower calibre, and his team mates needed to get used to his quick thinking and creativity, but Barmby's influence to the team has grown and the second striker position he fills so effectively has become his own. Never an out-and-out goal scorer he has however scored some spectacular efforts so far this season and he continues to create numerous chances per match for his team mates.

Barmby's most regular partner recently has been the fast and powerful Delroy Facey. After joining the Tigers at the start of the season Delroy struggled with injury and it took him time to find his match fitness. A few substitute appearances eventually showed the fans what he could do and Wilbraham and Allsopps lack of form gave him his chance in the first team. In the last few months he has put in some strong performances home and away, scaring league one defences with his willing, powerful and pacy style, however in front of goal he too often lacks the composure and killer instinct needed.

Another striker Jonathon Walters arrived at the KC Stadium after an impressive loan spell during last season. The young Bolton forward showed enough pace, effort and ability for Taylor to fork out £50k, however he has been another one to disappoint in front of goal this season, and although liked by the fans for his work-rate they have seen him squandered a series of good chances and he now finds himself down the pecking order. This month saw him being sent across the Humber Bridge to Scunthorpe on a loan deal.

The Solution?

There have been many rumours all season about the Tigers signing various strikers, indeed any available or unhappy player these days seem to be linked to the club - David Johnson being a recent example. Others favourites have been Dean Windass, Nick Chadwick, Sam Parkin, Steve Brooker, Lee Trundle ......and the list goes on. Peter Taylor has been up front and honest with his squad and the fans by stating that there is money to spend and that he would bring in a new striker if needed.

The best partnership up front this season has proved to be Barmby and Facey with Wilbraham being used in away matches to hold the ball up more and the option of bringing on Allsopp from the bench if needed. On paper this looks fine, however the scoring exploits of Stuart Elliott has covered up the fact that none of these strikers have looked like coming into in any kind of goal scoring form all season and, with the exception of Barmby, possibly wouldn't be considered to be the answer in the Championship if promoted.

The option of a bringing in an experienced striker on loan until the end of the season seems to be the most sensible at this moment in time and the recovery of Stuart Elliott can't come quick enough for this tiger!