HRK upfront

[Theroyalbox]

With Pog out and McD inevitably going to play a 451 and le fonder and hunt don't have the physical strength to cope upfront by themselves, I can really see HRK doing a job. He is quick strong and a good finisher, proven many a time (united/Leicester) last year. He also has been tweeting today how he is fit and ready and how he played a more attacking role in a friendly and if this does happen I'm excited at the prospect.

[Royal Ginger]

Life After Pog Thread

He couldn't really have scored a better timed Brace (today's friendly), but I think it's very unlikely. It's Alf or Hunt as the lone striker or a suicidal 4-4-2 at a push.

[DanLashbrook]

With Pog out and McD inevitably going to play a 451 and le fonder and hunt don't have the physical strength to cope upfront by themselves, I can really see HRK doing a job. He is quick strong and a good finisher, proven many a time (united/Leicester) last year. He also has been tweeting today how he is fit and ready and how he played a more attacking role in a friendly and if this does happen I'm excited at the prospect.

This thread is an interesting idea after the game me and a few of the lads in the pub were talking about this subject and the consensus was this could work!

The player himself has said in interviews that he feels upfront is his strongest position and I have always felt that he has done well the few times he has played through the middle or up top. His assists for Jimmy and Roberts against Arsenal exhibited his strength and skill in the middle.

HRK has scored more prem goals than N.Hunt (despite being given less of a chance) and too score 3-4 from out-wide I think is a promising sign.

I always get the impression that when we play we don’t go through him enough and the way he tore Evra shows he can do it at a very high level. I actually think he shows prem class if you watch his touches on the ball. I think it could work up front alone but maybe equally good just behind Alf?

He’s had his critics on here but when I watched the Wales game against Austria I would honestly say he was prob the best player on the pitch and I cant see Blackman offering any more than him.

If he really is feeling as fit and strong as he suggest in his tweets it could be frightening – he also got 3 assists today as well as two goals so sounds promising.
u rzzz

[RoyalTank]

once again

[PistolPete]

With Pog out and McD inevitably going to play a 451 and le fonder and hunt don't have the physical strength to cope upfront by themselves, I can really see HRK doing a job. He is quick strong and a good finisher, proven many a time (united/Leicester) last year. He also has been tweeting today how he is fit and ready and how he played a more attacking role in a friendly and if this does happen I'm excited at the prospect.

This thread is an interesting idea after the game me and a few of the lads in the pub were talking about this subject and the consensus was this could work!

The player himself has said in interviews that he feels upfront is his strongest position and I have always felt that he has done well the few times he has played through the middle or up top. His assists for Jimmy and Roberts against Arsenal exhibited his strength and skill in the middle.

HRK has scored more prem goals than N.Hunt (despite being given less of a chance) and too score 3-4 from out-wide I think is a promising sign.

I always get the impression that when we play we don’t go through him enough and the way he tore Evra shows he can do it at a very high level. I actually think he shows prem class if you watch his touches on the ball. I think it could work up front alone but maybe equally good just behind Alf?

He’s had his critics on here but when I watched the Wales game against Austria I would honestly say he was prob the best player on the pitch and I cant see Blackman offering any more than him.

If he really is feeling as fit and strong as he suggest in his tweets it could be frightening – he also got 3 assists today as well as two goals so sounds promising.
u rzzz

I'd go for it.

It would be a kick in the teeth for Hunt but HRK could be a key player for us next season (in the Champ) if we get it right...

[Vision]

Not sure about upfront on his own but I do think he's the most suited player we have if we want someone to play the number "10" role.

[ZacNaloen]

HRK has good touch, close control, a powerful shot, scores goals and is strong but unfortunately does not have the pace to be an out and out winger (doing your cruciate twice as a teen can do that to you). Seems more like he's matured into a more natural number 10 than winger to me. Lets give him the chance.

He's always looked technically better than a championship player, and has never made much impact on the wing except as a sub because of his pace. It's worth a try.

[BR2]

Where do people get the idea that he is strong?
IMHO he is one of the softest players we have-he has the right physique but has no idea how to use it.
He also lacks the dexterity of movement needed for any central position,whether that is in midfield or up front.
Desperate times and desperate measures maybe but surely having spent over £1 million on a striker he should be playing there rather than a very in-and-out winger who has never lived up to expectations.

[The Beardy Man]

I do think over time (in a similar way to Nathan Tyson) he will develop into a more central role. He just looks well suited to it when he plays.

Saying that I can't see him being a lone forward type player, and certainly not in the immediate future. Can see him moving that way over the next few years though. Doesn't seem to create much or work hard enough defensively for winger. Good strong finisher with decent technical skill though.

[ZacNaloen]

Where do people get the idea that he is strong?
IMHO he is one of the softest players we have-he has the right physique but has no idea how to use it.
He also lacks the dexterity of movement needed for any central position,whether that is in midfield or up front.
Desperate times and desperate measures maybe but surely having spent over £1 million on a striker he should be playing there rather than a very in-and-out winger who has never lived up to expectations.

I think I made the point that maybe the reason he's been in and out as a winger is that maybe because of the way he matured that isn't his most natural position anymore.

I also think you are understating his "dexterity", he shows more skill on the ball and quick thinking with his lay offs than most in our team are capable of.

I can recall him playing a fantastic one two with Pog earlier in the season, but he just doesn't get the opportunity to show that side of his game on the wing.

Maybe i'm biased because I like Hal, but I think he deserves a chance to find himself a new position in this team, because winger isn't it but there is something about him when he plays that is exciting.

It's a bit like Arshavin at Arsenal at the moment though.

[ZacNaloen]

I do think over time (in a similar way to Nathan Tyson) he will develop into a more central role. He just looks well suited to it when he plays.

Saying that I can't see him being a lone forward type player, and certainly not in the immediate future. Can see him moving that way over the next few years though. Doesn't seem to create much or work hard enough defensively for winger. Good strong finisher with decent technical skill though.

Yeh, he's not a lone striker, and never will be. Attacking Midfield I can see.

[Royal Ginger]

Realistically, he's struggled to even get on the bench recently. He's certainly got a shot on him, but if we're playing 1 up top, then the only man for dogged running and out jumping much taller defenders is Noel Hunt. Over the last few years his link play has been excellent, and he's often come up trumps when it's messy in the box. Hunt + wingers on a good day will be better than HRK.

[maffff]

The last few times HRK has come onto the pitch as a sub he's been one of the more interested looking players I've seen on the pitch.

As much of a critic as I've been of him over recent seasons I'd be very happy to give him a go upfront. He's a general Championship quality all-rounder and I can't see it him working in a 4-5-1 (he's too average in too many qualities) but if we are going 4-4-2, or anything with two upfront, I'd be happier with him starting alongside Noel with ALF on the bench.

If we're going 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 we might as well throw Jimmy up top to run at defenders.

[ZacNaloen]

I disagree. He isn't a striker.

He should be tried in the position Mcanuff is constantly being moved to when we play 4-5-1. Attacking midfielder, late runner into the box and feeding that lone striker/wide players.

He's got decent enough vision, as well as a desire to run at defenders when on the ball. And unlike Mcanuff can keep the ball on target when he shoots from further than 4 yards

[melonhead]

he seems to think he is a striker

[ZacNaloen]

I know, he's entitled to his opinion of himself

[BR2]

he seems to think he is a striker

So does Theo Walcott.

[melonhead]

18 goals this season.

[Haag Royal]

Where do people get the idea that he is strong?
IMHO he is one of the softest players we have-he has the right physique but has no idea how to use it.
He also lacks the dexterity of movement needed for any central position,whether that is in midfield or up front.
Desperate times and desperate measures maybe but surely having spent over £1 million on a striker he should be playing there rather than a very in-and-out winger who has never lived up to expectations.

I completely agree. And if he spent less time trying to showboat with ridiculous step overs whilst being pushed off the ball too easily he might be a half decent player. But never in my mind is he a Premiership player.

[West Stand Man]

Where do people get the idea that he is strong?
IMHO he is one of the softest players we have-he has the right physique but has no idea how to use it.
He also lacks the dexterity of movement needed for any central position,whether that is in midfield or up front.

You are wrong. Simple as that really.