28 yrs old, 34 international caps, 4 international goals, 355 career appearances, 134 career goals, sounds like the resume of a Premiership big gun doesnt it, but in truth it is the career details of a certain Stuart Elliot.
Currently plying his trade for the Tigers reserve team and the occasional appearance on the subs bench, the Northern Ireland international has split the Tigers fans down the middle with the should he or shouldnt he be in the starting eleven debate.
From the outset i would like to make it clear that i am in the former of the 2 camps, and firmly believe that if given a continued run in the side we would see the best of the talented midfielder.
The main argument for not playing Elliot is that the defensive side of his game is exposed when playing against Championship quality players, fair enough, he isnt the best tackler of the ball, but neither is Craig Fagan on the opposite side of the pitch. Elliot is first and foremost a creative midfielder/Forward who’s strength is his running at defenders and his extraordinary ability in the air.
Look at the current crop of international midfielders and you would be hard pressed to say that any of them are good in defensive situations, Stuart Downing, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon, Ryan Giggs even David Beckham was vilified for his lack of tackling skill. Admitedly Stuart Elliot isnt in the same class as the above mentioned players, but in a way it highlights even more that a good midfielder doesnt have to be a good defender.
Its a safe assumption to say that Elliot is currently the 3rd choice behind Mark Yeates and Ryan France. I assume that this is purely down to defensive matters as Ryan France (no disrepect to him) is a competant defender but hasnt got the attacking ability of an on form Elliot, as for Mark Yeates its too early to have an opinion of him at the moment. Elliot has finished top scorer for the Tigers in the past two seasons including those marvelous 28 goals in our league one promotional season, surely a player who can score 20+ goals from wide on the left deserves a lot better than he is getting.
New managers have their own agendas and thoughts on their squads and no doubt Phil Parkinson is the same, he clearly feels that Yeates or France offer the current side more options than the Irishman, looking at the current league situation he may be correct when we are in a position were we have to battle for our league points, but if we can rise up the table and be free of the pressures being at the wrong end of the league brings, then surely that is the time to let Elliot loose on the Championship.
I would like to see Stu loaned out to another club were he can regain match sharpness, score a few goals and get his confidence back up to a level which will allow him to be once again a great player for the Tigers. He is too good a talent to be left rotting in the reserves and he doesnt deserve it, please Parky you have a diamond of a player there, dont let him become tarnished.
I think that his determination isn’t there compared to (i.e) Fagan on the opposite wing. He does some tracking back of players but not enough and all too often leaves the left back exposed, like away at West Brom where he only manager half an hour before Parky subbed him off. SInce then, it’s all been downhill for him!
I think a loan would be best for all parties to try and get him back up to some sort of confident level where by he can come back into the team and get goals !
I cant see him getting back in the team,I think we should loan to someone and he might score lots of goals and get his condfience back to chalange for a place in the team.
lets hope so Matty ! we need to keep up the competition long term for the starting XI places !
Loan him out at first, then if he’s getting back to his old self bring him back. If he doesn’t sell him.
Good article. Loan him out to regain his fitness and confidence and then give him a chance to prove to everyone that he does have the capabilities to perform at this level.
He’s the reason why i became a Hull City fan,he has more class than any other player in our team.If the coach had confidence in him he would be again our best scorer and player.
I still think he can do a job and should be given a chance! But I don’t see it with Yeates around.