| Akpom could surprise 21:58 - Aug 4 with 4128 views | Nutkins_Return |
Said it after the groaning About paying a fee. But if we had just bought an unknown La Liga striker for £7m and he was having Akpom's pre-season we'd be feeling like it was money well spent.
I don't think he is going out and getting 20 goals but I could see him getting 7-8 whilst not being the regular starter. Who knows but he's playing himself into a good squad option.
At Boro in his first season he got 5. Was potentially on his way out and then went and got 30 the next season. Needs to feel loved and needs good delivery and balls into the box. He game is arriving onto balls. Maeda and Fatawu could be great for him.
Does feel more likely Hirst could go with him looking to fit an O'neill system and GON speaking very highly of him. |  |
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| Akpom could surprise on 22:33 - Aug 4 with 3522 views | earlsgreenblue |
I hope you are right, another half decent striker option & he might just thrive with less pressure, a decent midfield acquisition to give even better service you might just have found the sweet spot, here’s hoping. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 22:36 - Aug 4 with 3500 views | ZapatasMoustache |
Yes, pretty sure he’s our third 9 and third 10 option off the bench now. A N Other as the second (or first, hopefully) 9. |  | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 22:39 - Aug 4 with 3459 views | Swansea_Blue |
He looks far better as a striker/forward playing off the shoulder of defenders and using his pace. He’s got good awareness of those spaces too, as shown tonight where he exploited that space at the back post. It looked like an easy nod in, but only because he’d made it that easy with his early and committed movement.
Who’d have thought that the guy who spent his career playing that way would be good playing that way? He’s never been a ball playing 10. A bit like Szmodics in that regard. I know Kieran’s a leg-end but he had some very inflexible views on players that didn’t always help. |  |
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| Akpom could surprise on 01:44 - Aug 5 with 3205 views | Ryorry |
| Akpom could surprise on 22:39 - Aug 4 by Swansea_Blue |
He looks far better as a striker/forward playing off the shoulder of defenders and using his pace. He’s got good awareness of those spaces too, as shown tonight where he exploited that space at the back post. It looked like an easy nod in, but only because he’d made it that easy with his early and committed movement.
Who’d have thought that the guy who spent his career playing that way would be good playing that way? He’s never been a ball playing 10. A bit like Szmodics in that regard. I know Kieran’s a leg-end but he had some very inflexible views on players that didn’t always help. |
Completely agree, apart from the line in which you said it looked like an "easy" nod in. Perfect assist yes, but still didn't look easy to me (maybe that's cos I'm about 50 years older though  ). |  |
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| Akpom could surprise on 06:58 - Aug 5 with 2743 views | Bluemike31 |
He's definitely far more likely than Hirst, I think Akpom could well be playing himself into that Third Striker slot. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 10:53 - Aug 5 with 2429 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Akpom could surprise on 01:44 - Aug 5 by Ryorry |
Completely agree, apart from the line in which you said it looked like an "easy" nod in. Perfect assist yes, but still didn't look easy to me (maybe that's cos I'm about 50 years older though ). |
I didn’t think it was that easy a header tbh | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 10:58 - Aug 5 with 2403 views | TIB |
I’ve felt Akpom had a chance here since GON was announced. His best role fits GON’s system (more than Hirst), he likely won’t mind being 3rd choice striker and ultimately, it gives us a chance to turn what looked like bad business, into ok / good business if he nabs a few goals in the Prem.
I hope he stays and proves himself here. |  |
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| Akpom could surprise on 11:10 - Aug 5 with 2358 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
I would be astonished if he gets 7-8 goals in the Premier League as potentially the 3rd choice striker.
If he does we have probably survived pretty comfortably. |  |
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| Akpom could surprise on 11:24 - Aug 5 with 2289 views | jas0999 |
Probably a starter in the FA and League cups. Third choice for the league games you’d have thought. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 11:28 - Aug 5 with 2265 views | CastroSito |
Remember when Ladapo looked like Zidane in that pre-season game? | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 11:32 - Aug 5 with 2222 views | ernie |
Akpom gets 7-8 goals in the prem whilst being 3rd choice striker ? Let us know when you’ve woken
Up. It’s pre season- means absolutely nothing. He’ll be lucky to make 7-8 appearances. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 15:35 - Aug 5 with 1932 views | Blue_Heath |
It’s pre season and he’s got something to play for but that said GON giving him game time in his best position likely helps. Ditto Humphries and Egeli. | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 15:49 - Aug 5 with 1866 views | Ryorry |
| Akpom could surprise on 11:24 - Aug 5 by jas0999 |
Probably a starter in the FA and League cups. Third choice for the league games you’d have thought. |
Depends how he performs if given some minutes in a league game I'd have thought! | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 16:01 - Aug 5 with 1814 views | Nutkins_Return |
| Akpom could surprise on 11:10 - Aug 5 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
I would be astonished if he gets 7-8 goals in the Premier League as potentially the 3rd choice striker.
If he does we have probably survived pretty comfortably. |
I think it's essential we get an established/experienced goalscorer in the building.
As it is Akpom could establish himself ahead of Emersonn. I hope Emersonn shines but he is raw himself and may need patience and time.
Everyone has been really quick to write Akpom off. Boro fans did as well after first season. He can score goals with good service. He's far from perfect but he could ok.
If our striker recruitment is on point and we get ideal targets then there is also the very real chance he won't get a chance. This would actually be my preference but it's just good to see Akpom is up for it. I also wanted to make the point it's not £7 mil wasted like some suggested. Decent value. | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 16:06 - Aug 5 with 1803 views | Ryorry |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:01 - Aug 5 by Nutkins_Return |
I think it's essential we get an established/experienced goalscorer in the building.
As it is Akpom could establish himself ahead of Emersonn. I hope Emersonn shines but he is raw himself and may need patience and time.
Everyone has been really quick to write Akpom off. Boro fans did as well after first season. He can score goals with good service. He's far from perfect but he could ok.
If our striker recruitment is on point and we get ideal targets then there is also the very real chance he won't get a chance. This would actually be my preference but it's just good to see Akpom is up for it. I also wanted to make the point it's not £7 mil wasted like some suggested. Decent value. |
"Everyone has been really quick to write Akpom off."
Ahem - not everyone!  | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 16:18 - Aug 5 with 1762 views | ZapatasMoustache |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:01 - Aug 5 by Nutkins_Return |
I think it's essential we get an established/experienced goalscorer in the building.
As it is Akpom could establish himself ahead of Emersonn. I hope Emersonn shines but he is raw himself and may need patience and time.
Everyone has been really quick to write Akpom off. Boro fans did as well after first season. He can score goals with good service. He's far from perfect but he could ok.
If our striker recruitment is on point and we get ideal targets then there is also the very real chance he won't get a chance. This would actually be my preference but it's just good to see Akpom is up for it. I also wanted to make the point it's not £7 mil wasted like some suggested. Decent value. |
Raw is the right word. Emersonn's got some great assets though - he's pretty huge, and when he gets up to speed he's really fast (closed the keeper down a couple of times very rapidly). Not got a quick first step though from what I saw last night. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:29 - Aug 5 with 1714 views | burnbudgiesburn |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:18 - Aug 5 by ZapatasMoustache |
Raw is the right word. Emersonn's got some great assets though - he's pretty huge, and when he gets up to speed he's really fast (closed the keeper down a couple of times very rapidly). Not got a quick first step though from what I saw last night. |
I'd really like to see Emersonn up against a team who dominate the ball and where we are forced to play on the break
A few poor touches but he's decent in the air and showed strength in laying the ball off in the area a few times. First for Mehmeti who blazed over and then for Mendel.
We really haven't seen him being given any real service so far. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:57 - Aug 5 with 1595 views | Plums |
| Akpom could surprise on 16:06 - Aug 5 by Ryorry |
"Everyone has been really quick to write Akpom off."
Ahem - not everyone! |
Agreed, not everyone...
We better get pretty active soon by Plums 13 Jul 18:38We have a new manager and the players will have a clean slate with him. I'm not so sure we should be showing Akpom the door if we want to play with two up top on occasions.
O'Neil will have his own ideas and he may well have uses for some of the players that didn't fit for McKenna.
We will see.
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| Akpom could surprise on 17:35 - Aug 5 with 1495 views | Tampa_Florida_Blue |
| Akpom could surprise on 10:58 - Aug 5 by TIB |
I’ve felt Akpom had a chance here since GON was announced. His best role fits GON’s system (more than Hirst), he likely won’t mind being 3rd choice striker and ultimately, it gives us a chance to turn what looked like bad business, into ok / good business if he nabs a few goals in the Prem.
I hope he stays and proves himself here. |
I agree with this. I personally don’t think he was giving the chance to show us what he can do last season. Never was played from the start much at his favored #9 position and had no chance to blend in with the players. Despite being here for a season he almost feels like a new dining. I wish home the best. Go get us 10 goals !!! |  | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 17:41 - Aug 5 with 1468 views | tetchris |
I’d be surprised if he is here at the end of August | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 22:47 - Aug 5 with 1196 views | Nutkins_Return |
| Akpom could surprise on 17:41 - Aug 5 by tetchris |
I’d be surprised if he is here at the end of August |
I'd be a lot more surprised if he isn't here. GON has been vocal about him looking good and Hirst may be off. | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 22:59 - Aug 5 with 1134 views | PioneerBlue |
He is already surprising simply scoring goals in preseason. He made forward play look like rocket science last season. | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 23:19 - Aug 5 with 1079 views | andyblue231 |
This Akpom revisionism is strange.
He was appalling every time he played. He was playing in the position we were told was his favourite position - as a number 10. He was also terrible when he was stuck up front.
The idea that he can become a weapon in the prem Has no evidence behind it. It might happen but it’s an act of faith.
If Emersonn and Akpom are 2/3 of our strikers it’s going to cost us. | | | |
| Akpom could surprise on 00:31 - Aug 6 with 982 views | Ryorry |
| Akpom could surprise on 23:19 - Aug 5 by andyblue231 |
This Akpom revisionism is strange.
He was appalling every time he played. He was playing in the position we were told was his favourite position - as a number 10. He was also terrible when he was stuck up front.
The idea that he can become a weapon in the prem Has no evidence behind it. It might happen but it’s an act of faith.
If Emersonn and Akpom are 2/3 of our strikers it’s going to cost us. |
I haven't heard or seen everything he ever said since he signed for us, but the compilation video of his goals that was put out on his arrival screamed "I'm primarily a CF" (a 9 if you prefer contemporary jargon). | |
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| Akpom could surprise on 01:17 - Aug 6 with 950 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Akpom could surprise on 11:28 - Aug 5 by CastroSito |
Remember when Ladapo looked like Zidane in that pre-season game? |
Don’t forget the Marcus Harness summer of 2024 either.
I remember people excited to see him in the PL lol. |  |
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