Could There be Competition Amongst Our Strikers?

By: Will N
Date: 05/10/2013

ANDY Cook has requested he be loaned out as he has seen limited first team action this season. I hope not as this could have a dramatic effect on the morale and teamwork of the team, and in turn how well we actually do this season.

Lenell John-Lewis seems to have really to have got to grips with this season compared to the previous campaign (2012-13, 15 appearances and 1 goal). His performance last season really made me wonder why we ended up keeping him for this season but so far this campaign he has scored twice in 12 appearances (not bad, at least it is an improvement on his near goal-less season last year).

LJJ can outmatch Cook in strength and aerial ability, especially seeing him on his a-game as of present. Ross Hannah can outpace Cook, but with respect to Cook - he isn't our slowest by a long shot!

Hannah joined us last season on loan before joining us permanently, last season scoring 10 goals in 30 appearances for us. He also looks set to have a great season of regular starts and regular goals as he has made 5 appearances and scored 2 goals already.

If it is a competition of skill, last season Liam Hearn was doubtful but this season he is ready to be leading goalscorer all over again; like in 11-12 season where he made 51 appearances and scored an admirable 29 goals. He had a dodgy 12-13 season (making 7 appearances and scoring 1 goal); this allowed Cook some game time, but this season Hearn is back to full fitness and having made appearances in 8 games he has scored 3 goals.

Andy Cook signed a two-year contract with the option of a further year on 6 June 2012. In the 12-13 season he made 50 appearances and scored 14 goals - not bad - but he has failed to make an impact this season with huge competition of four top-quality strikers in full fitness. He has made 7 appearances and only scored once.

If Hurst continues to use our in-form line-up, that has seen recent success, I cannot see Cook getting much full-game action, or any other strikers, as we seem to chop-and-change them all the way through the match. But at least it seems to have been working.

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