Right, I know that Jermaine Beckford has caused more controversy between supporters than George Gallaway licking Rula Lenska's milk, but I, for one, Support the guy.
Okay, so maybe his effort at times doesn't look 100%, but the guy is a class act at this level, and will cut it at prem.
You can't blame him for not running round like a headless chicken - That's what we have Nugent for.
Nugent runs around, comes back to get the ball, closes down, chases lost causes, and much much more, but he's rarely in a goal scoring position. He's scored 15 goals this year I believe - The majority of them chances he's created himself.
Beckford is a different type of player. He's a player that will stand on the last man, get the ball played through (which requires a midfield than can unlock defences) and sticks the ball in the back of the net.
He is a striker that's scored goals at every level he's ever played at. He's the natural born finisher that we've been crying out for. And he's also highlighted the lack of creativity in the midfield.
Can someone please enlighten me as to why Nugent is a hero on 15 goals, and Beckford is a villain on 14?
I think he really is a class act, and when the fans get behind him, he lifts his perfomance. If you think he should leave, you're off your marbles.
Thoughts please.
The Beckford Debate
posted on 4/5/12
Maybe your're right Nev, maybe it is a good target for strikers to have. And to be fair, it's good fans are showing confidence in our strike force for next year already before we've even looked to build on the squad in the summer.
I'm pretty sure Sven hasn't won the European Cup though.
posted on 4/5/12
Prawn,
I do accept statistics to some extent, although they don't tell the full story.
"Whether you accept statistics or not, the fact remains that Beckford has scored 98 goals in 185 league games and Nugent has 88 in 264. "
A more accurate comparison would be their respective ratios in the Championship, although I confess I haven't bothered to work it out.
posted on 4/5/12
.... or is that already goals in the championship?
posted on 4/5/12
Joby if you have a gander at the 'Financial stability' article, I have had a debate with prawn about performances/stats at this level from Beckford and used Waghorn as a comparitive.
I won't bore everyone by repeating it all on this thread though.
posted on 4/5/12
Don't take it personally Nev, i was only stated facts, 24 goals is a long way from 40!
I see you're still living in Sven's past ( long ago past that is )!
I'm all for the Beckford / Nugent partnership, especially now we have a manager proven and still proving to get the best out of players as he does!
posted on 4/5/12
Nugent was playing well and scoring for fun as our main striker until he was moved to accommodate Beckford. His first touch is quality and his finishing pretty good. He also works very hard and leads te line well.
Beckford, in my opinion, is not as good a finisher, had a poor first touch and is only effective when given good service.
I'm all for giving him a chance but let's not kid ourselves he's better then Nugent.
posted on 4/5/12
Said it before and again Beckford and Nugent are the most exciting forwards we have had in years , a little better service and 40 goals are there's for the taking.
I want to see both these guys up front for LCFC in the premier league
posted on 4/5/12
Oh I didn't mean they could both bag 20 goals in the same season KTF. As you say, that's a lot to expect I meant to say that I think they're both individually capable of scoring twenty goals in a season though I can see how that's confusing! Traditionally a promotion team needs someone who's going to score 25 goals plus and a couple of others who will chip in with 15 and 10 goals respectively in the league. I think in Nugent, Beckford and Marshall we've got three players who can do that. Frankly I don't care which order they do it in if it means promotion!
posted on 5/5/12
I don't suppose any of us really know whether Beckford will be with us next season. I just have a sneaking suspicion that Big Nige does indeed believe he can get similar output from other players, but at better value for money. Billy Sharpe may have been one of those players and now the Vardy lad.
It's just my speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if Beckford made way for another forward. If it is Vardy then it's a big call to replace Beckford with someone from a non league club. These are the decisions, however, on which managers either prove their worth or get unceremoniously sacked.
Time will tell ....
posted on 8/5/12
Anybody remember the days of Elvis Hammond? The guys whos still in his prime and now playing for Woking? Just think back...
...Jermaine Beckford dont seem to bad!