Striking The Right Chord

Hull City’s strike-force is the topic of much debate, but by Thursday we will know what Parkinson has to work with as he searches for the elusive first victory in the Championship.

This season, the favored City strike-force has seen Jon Parkin partnered with Daryl Duffy. The little and large partnership has failed to blossom, with Parkin the only scorer for the Tigers in the Championship netting three times. Today, the Times has linked Leeds United with a move for the Beast but with options already short up-front, it would be a strange decision to let the player move to our Yorkshire rivals. It wouldn’t just be strange, it would be disastrous.

Ben Burgess has had to settle for substitute appearances as the big striker still attempts to regain fitness following eighteen months on the treatment table over the last two years. His appearances this season haven’t shown much promise and this has seen the player linked with moves to Brighton and Blackpool, with a trip to Blackpool his seemingly favored destination.

The latest poll on Vital Hull has asked whether Burgess has a future at the KC, with 72% of fans thinking he has no future in Hull. Providing a fee is involved, preferably around the 50k to 100k mark, it seems most fans would be happy for burgess to make a move on.

Craig Fagan has been transformed into a right winger, a position he was unhappy to play in for Peter Taylor but apparently quite happy to under Phil Parkinson. Although his crossing is unpredictable, Fagan has been a constant performer so far this season but would his presence worry defenders more if deployed in a more central role. This would allow Ryan France, one of the few players to impress this season, to take his natural position on the right hand side of midfield.

With only three goals scored in the first five league games, it seems City are short of options up-front. Following Saturday’s one nil defeat to Coventry, Phil Parkinson announced that a new striker would be arriving before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

City are rumored to have several bids on the table for un-named strikers. Sources from Sky Sports and the Hull Daily Mail have mentioned names including Nicky Forster, Dele Adebola and Michael Bridges – all players who would add to our current options. Rumors suggest half a million pounds has been earmarked for the new arrival, but how much experience can Parkinson buy for that fee?

It doesn’t matter how experienced the player is, it matters if he scores! An obvious comment to make, I know, but City need someone who can stick the ball in the net on a regular basis and the sooner this man arrives, the better.

With Mark Yeates expected to be fit in time for the clash at Birmingham in two weeks and a new striker up-front, could City record their first win of the season?