David N'gog

[the count]

[quote author=crump link=topic=41918.msg1176744#msg1176744 date=1284807946]
I got everyone standing near me at the Birmingham game calling me a thick nobhead for shouting to get Torres off and Ngog on after about half an hour. But then I am a real prick sometimes.
[/quote]


like this you mean?

 

[Woland]

Remember last season at Brum when Torres came off and Ngog came on? And Stevie was looking at Rafa like his embarassing mong cousin had just tried to finger his sister? Well Ngog did boss then and hit the post and there were loads more chances. I think sometimes when Torres is playing like that, like he's about to burst into tears, it's not worth persisting.

 

[FoxForceFive]

[quote author=crump link=topic=41918.msg1176753#msg1176753 date=1284808304]
Remember last season at Brum when Torres came off and Ngog came on? And Stevie was looking at Rafa like his embarassing mong cousin had just tried to finger his sister? Well Ngog did boss then and hit the post and there were loads more chances. I think sometimes when Torres is playing like that, like he's about to burst into tears, it's not worth persisting.
[/quote]

I know where you're coming from, but then Torres can be like Fowler in that regard. Anonymous & out of the game then win it from nothing.

That's why the majority would keep Torres on. Myself included.

 

[gene hughes]

I'm starting to believe in N'Gog.

The problem I have is that the idea of us picking up a young player on the cheap and turning him into top level player worth way more than we paid is, at this point, so contrary to everything I know and expect about the club that the very idea seems almost miraculous.

 

[Woland]

I agree with both those points. We don't improve players, it's not what we've done for ages, so Ngog makes no sense - but yes FFF in an ideal world you'd stick with Torres. It's just that against Brum it looked obvious that he was getting nowhere.

Ngog shares that ability to look a bit cack and then suddenly score. I'm not saying he's anywhere near the level of Torres - Torres has got that mental ability to suddenly go past his man and bury one from twenty odd yards from nothing. I mean from the first home game when he skinned Ben Haim for Chelsea it was just like '.... shit, this kid is amazing'. Ngog hasn't got that and maybe never will, Torres is special - but he's not on form and Ngog seems to be.

 

[FoxForceFive]

The only way Torres is gonna find form, & much needed confidence, again is by sticking with him though.

 

[Woland]

Well yeah. But the reason we have a problem with that more than ever before is because we are sooooo reliant on him. Even back in Houlliers days he's set the midfield targets of 10 goals each. They wouldn't hit them but at least they knew it was being measured. We did manage to get to two CL finals recently pre Torres... You are right... but it's a proper pain in the dick when he's off form because relying on Maxi or Jova or Pucas for goals is an impossible situation.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Agreed completely, but we ARE completely reliant on him finding that form to get anywhere top 4, so we have to take the gamble, cos despite's Ngog's goals of late, I cannot see him giving us that edge, an on-form Torres will do.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=crump link=topic=41918.msg1176779#msg1176779 date=1284810161]
Well yeah. But the reason we have a problem with that more than ever before is because we are sooooo reliant on him. Even back in Houlliers days he's set the midfield targets of 10 goals each. They wouldn't hit them but at least they knew it was being measured. We did manage to get to two CL finals recently pre Torres... You are right... but it's a proper pain in the dick when he's off form because relying on Maxi or Jova or Pucas for goals is an impossible situation.
[/quote]

Exactly - that's the problem. Our midfield barely even shoot at goal, never mind score. Yossi was a big loss in that respect. Hopefully Cole and Meireles will step up, and we'll have Kuyt back soon too.

 

[Rafiagra]

I think one of the main differences between Torres and Ngog (aside from the obv gap in quality) is that Ngog needs a partner. He cant lead the line and gets knocked off the ball far too easily. However, he is a natural goalscorer and gets in the right areas.

As for when he replaced Torres at Brum last season, he missed that big chance at the end whereas Torres would have finished it. Thats the difference. Hopefully, Ngog will develop into a genuine big game player.

 

[Squiggles]

Quite.

We have one striker who needs a partner, and our only other striker plays far better without one.

Good times.

 

[Dreambeliever]

N'gog just doesn't seem like a footballer at all everytime I'vee seen him.

Having said that you can't knock goals and 6 in 7 is impressive for any striker.

I say keep playing him while he's scoring.

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=41918.msg1176817#msg1176817 date=1284812438]
[quote author=crump link=topic=41918.msg1176779#msg1176779 date=1284810161]
Well yeah. But the reason we have a problem with that more than ever before is because we are sooooo reliant on him. Even back in Houlliers days he's set the midfield targets of 10 goals each. They wouldn't hit them but at least they knew it was being measured. We did manage to get to two CL finals recently pre Torres... You are right... but it's a proper pain in the dick when he's off form because relying on Maxi or Jova or Pucas for goals is an impossible situation.
[/quote]

Exactly - that's the problem. Our midfield barely even shoot at goal, never mind score. Yossi was a big loss in that respect. Hopefully Cole and Meireles will step up, and we'll have Kuyt back soon too.
[/quote]

Cole, Meireles, Jova and Kuyt don't have a problem shooting, just hitting the target (so far).