| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... 08:44 - Dec 8 with 3581 views | Bellevue_Blue |
Has to be Akpom doesn't it?
Azon just does not quite have the know-how to impact games from the start yet and seems to consistently create good chances for himself in the last 20 mins of games.
Could quite easily have 5/6/7 goals off the bench this season. |  | | |  |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 08:50 - Dec 8 with 2677 views | Dubtractor |
Azon. Without question.
Azon may still look a bit rusty, and i agree has looked better off the bench, but to say that Akpom has been underwhelming would be an understatement. [Post edited 8 Dec 9:00]
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 08:57 - Dec 8 with 2623 views | southnorfolkblue |
I think so.
Azon looks much more effective from the bench than as a starter. I’m delighted he scored Saturday but tbh Im far from convinced that he should be our no 2 striker for the rest of the season | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:01 - Dec 8 with 2584 views | NthQldITFC |
Yes, Akpom for me, with the licence to play as a less static #9 and work across the opposition's last line looking to receive the ball in the gaps between CBs and FBs.
Hirst, for all his good pressing, tends to be too static a target in the middle, presumably on the basis that he pressurises CBs into knocking the ball down where our supporting forwards can pick it up. I'd like to see a more laterally mobile #9 and with Nunez starting further forward than our #10 has tended to - Nunez did this, I think on Saturday - Nunez can work in the gaps Akpom creates while the two wider players work off Akpom himself.
edit: I really like Azon, by the way, but him coming off the bench seems to work really well, whereas Akpom off the bench I'm not so sure about. [Post edited 8 Dec 9:57]
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:20 - Dec 8 with 2519 views | Basuco |
Azon, he is looking better and better as he get used to the KM systems and patterns of play, he is making big improvements every week, but of course KM demands high energy from the front 4 and Akpom would get more success against a tiring defence. Especially with Sindre adding goals to his play spreading the defence even further. |  | | |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:24 - Dec 8 with 2474 views | J2BLUE |
Azon...his goal set it up perfectly. Would be an odd call to go with Akpom IMO. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:24 - Dec 8 with 2485 views | ArnieM |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 08:50 - Dec 8 by Dubtractor |
Azon. Without question.
Azon may still look a bit rusty, and i agree has looked better off the bench, but to say that Akpom has been underwhelming would be an understatement. [Post edited 8 Dec 9:00]
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He has but he’s been played out of position . He’s a number 9 , not a number 10 |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:53 - Dec 8 with 2343 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
Azon 100%. He makes great runs, is often in the right place (others need to get used to this) and is a real physical presence.
He still seems a little rusty, but just needs minutes to sort that imo. | | | |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:56 - Dec 8 with 2298 views | JammyDodgerrr |
I'd go Akpom, he should do enough of the Hirst role, got something to prove, and then Azon can come on and cause carnage like he has been doing. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:00 - Dec 8 with 2285 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:53 - Dec 8 by SuffolkPunchFC |
Azon 100%. He makes great runs, is often in the right place (others need to get used to this) and is a real physical presence.
He still seems a little rusty, but just needs minutes to sort that imo. |
That’s the conundrum for me. You’re absolutely right to say that he needs minutes, but he just doesn’t convince me as a starter. I think Akpom would be better suited to do the “heavy lifting” in the way Hirst does to free Azon up for the last 0 | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:08 - Dec 8 with 2212 views | greyhound |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 09:56 - Dec 8 by JammyDodgerrr |
I'd go Akpom, he should do enough of the Hirst role, got something to prove, and then Azon can come on and cause carnage like he has been doing. |
Im bored of akpom. He just plays like an angry kid not getting his own way. I dont know if hes bearing frustration at lack of goals/minutes etc I highly expect he is compounded by being played in an unnatural position for him, but then he has taken the 9ma couple of times recently and lacked so much energy and mobility which our system requires...I feel like hes a great footballer but not one we will see the quality of. I really hope we are ready to go early in jan with a couple of additions. | | | |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:16 - Dec 8 with 2147 views | DinnernotTea |
Azon all day. For a start he's now added goals since November so deserves a start.
And if anyone has ever played no.9 at any level, it is near impossible to get any rhythm or form when you start 1 in every 6 games. You crave confidence in that position, had we started Azon for 10 straight games we might he seeing a different player now. Hirst has been mega lucky to keep that shift for so long this season. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:21 - Dec 8 with 2101 views | bournemouthblue |
Whoever we choose, one of them is getting 60 - 75 minutes and the other will.come off the bench
Akpom probably offers a bit more aerially than Azon but we will see what way he goes, Azon is like an unrelenting wasp, it has got to be harder to keep that up for 2/3's of a game? |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:35 - Dec 8 with 2023 views | LeoMuff |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 08:50 - Dec 8 by Dubtractor |
Azon. Without question.
Azon may still look a bit rusty, and i agree has looked better off the bench, but to say that Akpom has been underwhelming would be an understatement. [Post edited 8 Dec 9:00]
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I would go with Akpom, very underwhelming in the 10 role, but scored as a 9 against Hull. If you want his gold for boro in his stellar season they are almost all predatory striker goals.
I have seen nothing from Azon to say he is up to the role of no9 in a top championship side, looks too slow for me. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:36 - Dec 8 with 2021 views | gsoly |
I think after scoring, KM will find it hard not to play Azon... but the way Stoke will set up probably doesn't lend itself to the Shark.
Probably be Akpom, and boy oh boy does he need to show us something. |  | | |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:37 - Dec 8 with 2026 views | homer_123 |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:16 - Dec 8 by DinnernotTea |
Azon all day. For a start he's now added goals since November so deserves a start.
And if anyone has ever played no.9 at any level, it is near impossible to get any rhythm or form when you start 1 in every 6 games. You crave confidence in that position, had we started Azon for 10 straight games we might he seeing a different player now. Hirst has been mega lucky to keep that shift for so long this season. |
"Hirst has been mega lucky to keep that shift for so long this season."
I would disagree with you there. Saturday showed why he's KM first choice in that role. For all of the initial issues in the first half (could quite get his touch or control right), his movement and work rate, how he triggers the press, how he chases and forces play is a cut above any other player we have in that role. His second half performance was really, really good. He could have had a couple of goals but he bagged one which was pleasing to see.
For me, at least, I can see why Hirst has that spot and I have no issue with that.
I'm not saying that Azon or even Akpom might take the mantle at some point but neither offer anywhere near what Hirst does at this juncture. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:40 - Dec 8 with 2008 views | DinnernotTea |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:37 - Dec 8 by homer_123 |
"Hirst has been mega lucky to keep that shift for so long this season."
I would disagree with you there. Saturday showed why he's KM first choice in that role. For all of the initial issues in the first half (could quite get his touch or control right), his movement and work rate, how he triggers the press, how he chases and forces play is a cut above any other player we have in that role. His second half performance was really, really good. He could have had a couple of goals but he bagged one which was pleasing to see.
For me, at least, I can see why Hirst has that spot and I have no issue with that.
I'm not saying that Azon or even Akpom might take the mantle at some point but neither offer anywhere near what Hirst does at this juncture. |
Hmm think you're waxing lyrical a bit too much there. He was abysmal first half along with being childish in what should've been a sending off. I agree second half better but for me we've been used to the first half Hirst most of this season. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:51 - Dec 8 with 1942 views | homer_123 |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:40 - Dec 8 by DinnernotTea |
Hmm think you're waxing lyrical a bit too much there. He was abysmal first half along with being childish in what should've been a sending off. I agree second half better but for me we've been used to the first half Hirst most of this season. |
I would urge you to spend time watching what he does without the ball. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:55 - Dec 8 with 1900 views | baxterbasics |
Are we sure it wont be Hirst again? Probably not I guess, given KM... relaxed either way, personally. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:57 - Dec 8 with 1882 views | NthQldITFC |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:08 - Dec 8 by greyhound |
Im bored of akpom. He just plays like an angry kid not getting his own way. I dont know if hes bearing frustration at lack of goals/minutes etc I highly expect he is compounded by being played in an unnatural position for him, but then he has taken the 9ma couple of times recently and lacked so much energy and mobility which our system requires...I feel like hes a great footballer but not one we will see the quality of. I really hope we are ready to go early in jan with a couple of additions. |
Bear in mind he was quick to thank fans for their support and patience when he scored - I don't think he's at all angry or frustrated in the way you described, or at least maybe only with himself, not his situation.
I still think he'll burst through as a mobile #9 for us in time. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:57 - Dec 8 with 1878 views | NthQldITFC |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:55 - Dec 8 by baxterbasics |
Are we sure it wont be Hirst again? Probably not I guess, given KM... relaxed either way, personally. |
Hirst is suspended. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:58 - Dec 8 with 1877 views | Clutch |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:55 - Dec 8 by baxterbasics |
Are we sure it wont be Hirst again? Probably not I guess, given KM... relaxed either way, personally. |
Thought he was suspended? |  | | |
| KM likes to play…. on 10:59 - Dec 8 with 1870 views | Bloots |
….his second string for midweek games, so it could potentially be both of them with Akpom at 10.
He may also drop Taylor and bring in Cajuste.
Potentially Clarke in for Philogene.
MaCateer for Egeli.
The defence was solid, so there could be a couple of changes there too.
….but hopefully just Azon (maybe Akpom) in for Hirst. |  |
| "mostly smug self indulgent sixth formers” - TWTD User (Nov 2025) |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 11:14 - Dec 8 with 1821 views | Guthrum |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:51 - Dec 8 by homer_123 |
I would urge you to spend time watching what he does without the ball. |
Same applies to Szmodics. Without players pulling opponents out of position, there aren't the gaps for Clarke or Philogene to move into and always blockers for Davis or Walle Egeli crosses. They aren't worn down and too tired for our lively subs.
Of course, this can be countered by good discipline and stamina from the defenders, so it won't always work. But it is a key element of our strategy. It's also why what you might call our second rank of forwards (wing-backs, wide men and "No.10s") contribute more to the goals total than the traditional centre forward. In modern football, defences are just too effective and well-drilled to be countered in the old way (speedy breakthroughs, long balls onto the head of a big man), particularly sides seeing themselves as outclassed and basing their whole game on being strong at the back. |  |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 11:21 - Dec 8 with 1773 views | baxterbasics |
| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 10:57 - Dec 8 by NthQldITFC |
Hirst is suspended. |
I had missed that! Got ya. | |
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| Akpom or Azon on Wednesday ... on 11:21 - Dec 8 with 1767 views | StokieBlue |
Has Azon started at home? From memory starts have been away which is going to be more difficult.
Akpom has done nothing, Azon has contributed more in less minutes, I think I would give him a chance at home from the start
SB |  | | |
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