| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? 10:29 - Apr 28 with 4710 views | SamWhiteUK |
I think watching Hirst's recent performances, his ability and his contributions to the team, really serves to highlight what an amazing talent spotter McKenna is (along with his backroom network).
During the summer we know that Hirst was a target and there were a lot of questions being asked as to whether someone so young could lead the front line; whether he'd be the 20-goal man we "needed"; whether we should be blowing money on someone who's had one good season.
Since he's come in, he's been absolutely superb. It took him a few games to get going but now he's starting ahead of a striker who actually does have 20 goals this season. His work rate is impeccable, he's strong, he's talented, and the goal at Barnsley absolutely summed up his game. More importantly, though, for me at least, it placed the spotlight on McKenna and the infrastructure that we have in place now. We're in a position now where we can completely believe that any player linked is going to be linked with a reason; that they're going to plug a gap, complement the squad and not rock the boat.
This is a cycle that we may have to go through many times if we are aiming to spot talent, pick it up, develop it and sell it on. What a ride this has the potential to be.
In McKenna we trust. COYB. |  | | |  |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 10:34 - Apr 28 with 4281 views | Pique |
Spot on.
I'll admit that, while I wasn't necessary against Hirst coming in, I was sceptical, based on his slightly patchy career to date and a not particularly ringing endorsement from a Pompey supporting mate.
Well, I've learnt my lesson, which is that when McKenna says he likes a player it's time to trust him. Recruitment won't always be perfect, even with our new setup no club gets it right every time, but I'd someone gets the McKenna stamp of approval that'll do for me.
Hirst has been utterly superb. I'd love us to sign him permanently in the summer, although I think we'll need another striker to come in as well. |  | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 10:37 - Apr 28 with 4248 views | Metal_Hacker |
I'd like to think his performances have been him showing that he's got something to prove to various folk
Not only to himself but to Blackburn as well and hopefully because he wants to stay here permanently
Who wouldn't want to come here and enjoy the journey - come on !!?? |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:00 - Apr 28 with 4136 views | BondiBlue |
Fits the system well, so in that regard, good recruitment. To be fair though, 15 goals for pompey last season. Not exactly like plucking walters from chester or mings from chippenham. |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:21 - Apr 28 with 4012 views | Stewart27 |
Great post.
I absolutely love him. And yes you can see why KM went all out to bring him here. Fits the system perfectly. But massive kudos to KM for getting it right again.
We should be doing everything we can to get him here permanently. He could lead the line for years to come.
Am I being naive in thinking that we only need to bring Hirst and Luongo here permanently in the summer if we get promoted? Probably with the addition of Jackson and Harness replacements to cover for Burns and Broadhead. | | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:32 - Apr 28 with 3936 views | saffers12 |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:21 - Apr 28 by Stewart27 |
Great post.
I absolutely love him. And yes you can see why KM went all out to bring him here. Fits the system perfectly. But massive kudos to KM for getting it right again.
We should be doing everything we can to get him here permanently. He could lead the line for years to come.
Am I being naive in thinking that we only need to bring Hirst and Luongo here permanently in the summer if we get promoted? Probably with the addition of Jackson and Harness replacements to cover for Burns and Broadhead. |
Deffo new CB |  | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:32 - Apr 28 with 3934 views | itfcjoe |
This is what makes me think we'll go back in for Jack Taylor this summer and that he'll excel with us
These players are long term number 1 targets for a reason |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:36 - Apr 28 with 3893 views | tractordownsouth |
I think Hirst is the biggest reason why the stuff about us having no plan B isn’t true anymore. Previously, if Ladapo wasn’t on it there was nothing to come off the bench, especially when TJJ got injured. Since Hirst came in it’s taken the burden off Ladapo and given us the option to mix it up when we need to.
The game on Tuesday was a big example of that, with how well he holds off defenders and lets us go long if we’re not confident enough to pass it through high-pressing teams. If we’re in the Championship next year and he stays, he’ll be even more important in games where we’ll have less of the ball. |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:41 - Apr 28 with 3847 views | Metal_Hacker |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:36 - Apr 28 by tractordownsouth |
I think Hirst is the biggest reason why the stuff about us having no plan B isn’t true anymore. Previously, if Ladapo wasn’t on it there was nothing to come off the bench, especially when TJJ got injured. Since Hirst came in it’s taken the burden off Ladapo and given us the option to mix it up when we need to.
The game on Tuesday was a big example of that, with how well he holds off defenders and lets us go long if we’re not confident enough to pass it through high-pressing teams. If we’re in the Championship next year and he stays, he’ll be even more important in games where we’ll have less of the ball. |
There's a thing , I wonder if KMcK will go back in for TJJ on loan next season as it's obvious he really rates him ? | |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:45 - Apr 28 with 3798 views | norfsufblue |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:41 - Apr 28 by Metal_Hacker |
There's a thing , I wonder if KMcK will go back in for TJJ on loan next season as it's obvious he really rates him ? |
Do you know what... if we are successful this year I don't think we'll be messing about with loans to much... maybe like this year a January one to plug a gap but I wouldn't be surprised to see us make an permanent offer for TJJ |  | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:48 - Apr 28 with 3775 views | clive_baker |
He's class. I wouldn't say we unearthed a gem as he's been very well known and highly though of for a long time in terms of his credentials at youth level, with England, and the protracted move to Leicester. I'm sure any L1 side would've jumped at signing him had they had deep enough pockets and been able to attract him.
We chased him for ages, I don't blame him for going to Blackburn to play at a higher level but I'm sure he relatively quickly regretted it.
He's such a good centre forward. He's really got everything in his locker. Strong, quick, can finish, can head, holds the ball up, intelligent use of the ball, draws fouls, works hard. He looks so natural, his movement is frighteningly good. You see some players scoring at a certain level but don't fill you with confidence that they could keep doing it higher up the chain. He's not one of them, I think in the right environment there's no way he shouldn't be scoring goals in the Championship or higher. Him and Broadhead are in a different league. |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:53 - Apr 28 with 3674 views | bournemouthblue |
Interestingly, we were clearly looking at Evan Ferguson as well, who looks like he is going to be a star
Hirst started slowly and took a while to get up to speed but looks useful now, certainly
It will be interesting to see what Leicester do with him, I think I'd try and sign him but he wouldn't be the only striker I try and sign in the summer, I suspect we will bring two in, probably another centre back and possibly even a central midfielder or number 10 |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:54 - Apr 28 with 3661 views | Stewart27 |
We should be praying that Leicester stay up. Don’t think we’d get him
if they go down.
Plus it’s a nice middle finger from Smith to Norwich. | | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:59 - Apr 28 with 3606 views | oldburian |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:54 - Apr 28 by Stewart27 |
We should be praying that Leicester stay up. Don’t think we’d get him
if they go down.
Plus it’s a nice middle finger from Smith to Norwich. |
Sometimes loans come with an agreed sell on clause. We can only hope and speculate. | | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:01 - Apr 28 with 3568 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Leif was the big one for me. A tiny sample size, never played a full season of men's football and he's the best left back in the division by far. Incredible talent ID |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:14 - Apr 28 with 3467 views | stickymockwell |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:41 - Apr 28 by Metal_Hacker |
There's a thing , I wonder if KMcK will go back in for TJJ on loan next season as it's obvious he really rates him ? |
If we can't get Hirst in this summer, then I wonder if Clarke-Harris would be on the list? I think at 28 he's going to want to make a move soon. Too obvious? [Post edited 28 Apr 2023 12:15]
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:34 - Apr 28 with 3358 views | Pique |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:14 - Apr 28 by stickymockwell |
If we can't get Hirst in this summer, then I wonder if Clarke-Harris would be on the list? I think at 28 he's going to want to make a move soon. Too obvious? [Post edited 28 Apr 2023 12:15]
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I think we'll be a bit more ambitious than that tbh, or at least I hope so. Not sure he's a McKenna kind of striker anyway. | | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:35 - Apr 28 with 3341 views | BigCommon |
He's not a youngster, he's 24 now.. Probably someone KM has known about since he was a youth player, and no doubt recognised his potential years ago.. You'd have to say, Hirsts development has probably stalled through lack of regular first team football as a regular ,settled number 9... That gives scope to tap into his reserve potential. I can only see him getting better and better, over the next 2 or 3 seasons, with the right guidance and a settled "home".. Could be a really good player for us for a few seasons, with the obvious bonus of a large sell on fee. Which would be right up Ashtons alley.
This loan spell is ideal , to run the rule over him more throughly, for the finer details, ie, attitude, personality, potential to improve further. Before any large investment is made...
Hate getting too attached to loan signings though. Technically, he's still in the shop window for anyone to come in for him, in the Summer. And we fattening him up for market, atm. |  | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 13:01 - Apr 28 with 3163 views | tractordownsouth |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:45 - Apr 28 by norfsufblue |
Do you know what... if we are successful this year I don't think we'll be messing about with loans to much... maybe like this year a January one to plug a gap but I wouldn't be surprised to see us make an permanent offer for TJJ |
I'd say it's more the other way round. Fees don't count towards FFP in League One but they do in the Championship so if we're in that division we may be more reliant on loans. It's another reason why spending the money on Clarke and Broadhead now was smarter than doing it in the summer. | |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 14:04 - Apr 28 with 2900 views | norfsufblue |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 13:01 - Apr 28 by tractordownsouth |
I'd say it's more the other way round. Fees don't count towards FFP in League One but they do in the Championship so if we're in that division we may be more reliant on loans. It's another reason why spending the money on Clarke and Broadhead now was smarter than doing it in the summer. |
Yeah I get that but I agree a fair bit has already been done.... I just think it will be a bit like after Wembley in 200 where George trusted the bulk of the promotion team and went big on Herman to replace Tony Mowbray....... Jeez its going to begreat to have these problems | | | |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 16:04 - Apr 28 with 2684 views | tractordownsouth |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 12:01 - Apr 28 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Leif was the big one for me. A tiny sample size, never played a full season of men's football and he's the best left back in the division by far. Incredible talent ID |
Yep. Mentioned it on the other thread about why I think those crediting Paul Cook for our recruitment are being too genourous. Obviously Cook's previous relationships with Morsy, Chaplin and Walton are what got them here but it didn't take genius to work out that competent Championship performers would do well in League One. Even considering the size of the fee for Davis, spotting somebody yet to complete a season of senior football anywhere and them being one of the best in the division is more impressive. | |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 16:06 - Apr 28 with 2663 views | tractordownsouth |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 14:04 - Apr 28 by norfsufblue |
Yeah I get that but I agree a fair bit has already been done.... I just think it will be a bit like after Wembley in 200 where George trusted the bulk of the promotion team and went big on Herman to replace Tony Mowbray....... Jeez its going to begreat to have these problems |
Yep, I don't think we'll need many if we go up. A couple of centre backs, a centre-mid, right-winger and a striker. It'll be exciting to see who we bring in. | |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 16:11 - Apr 28 with 2618 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
This thread is 5 hours old despite the OP limiting it until 10.30 am. |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 16:12 - Apr 28 with 2606 views | Weekender |
| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 11:45 - Apr 28 by norfsufblue |
Do you know what... if we are successful this year I don't think we'll be messing about with loans to much... maybe like this year a January one to plug a gap but I wouldn't be surprised to see us make an permanent offer for TJJ |
Think he's out of contract in the summer and cant see Arsenal wanting to keep him at 22. He isn't getting near their first team. |  |
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| Can we talk about George Hirst's recruitment for a minute? on 16:15 - Apr 28 with 2599 views | Kropotkin123 |
Idk, even I was recommending we get him in the summer, and my knowledge of other team's player is near hopeless. I think Davis or even Luongo (as others seemingly weren't willing to take a chance) are better examples of your talent spotting point.
The question with Hirst was more, can he lead the line of a team aiming for a top 6 finish in the Championship. I think he can, despite his form at Blackburn.
I do wonder a bit about signings like Ahadme, Camera, and to a lesser extent Harness. The first two seemed like acts of desperation, rather than clearly thought out transfers. |  |
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