Parkin vows to be goal saviour
Wednesday 26th August 2009, 11:26AM BST.
Sam Parkin has vowed to be Walsall’s goalscoring saviour and end concerns about their striking woes.
The Saddlers have scored just once from open play in their first five games this season – Andy Whing’s own goal at Brighton the sum total of their efforts.
Parkin has netted twice from the spot, while Alex Nicholls and Steve Jones have scored from free-kicks, but Parkin says he will find his form.
“The goals are going to come, I’m hungry, motivated and the side is looking good,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Gillingham.
“Everyone knows I’ve got ability but in the last couple of years it’s been getting it out. I’ve got a clean bill of health and a new club. It’s a fresh start and I’m eager to do well.
“It was a good pre-season, everyone knows all that’s missing from my game are goals but I’m contributing in other areas of the team.”
And Parkin insists his game is not all about scoring goals as he aims to be a team player at the Saddlers.
He said: “It’s about contributing to the team. I know I’m a good player and I think everyone at the club has seen that .
“The important thing is that I retain the ball for the side, being a big bloke you have to bring the more creative players into play like Troy (Deeney) and Jonah (Steve Jones). It’s my job to score the goals but also link the play. Those are the boys with the legs, they are going to get to the byline and get the crosses in.”
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Parkin may be hungry and motivated, however, he is also “not very good”, gets beaten regularly to the ball and doesn’t even give himself chance to hold it up for Deeney. I am sorry, but other than score 2 penalties I fail to see what he has done for the rest of the time he has been on the pitch in a Walsall shirt.
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I think Parkin should be given a chance; if we are positive as fans, this will reach the players. Negativity breeds disharmony and no one wants or needs this. I, for one, expect Parkin to get on the end of crosses, make himself a nuisance and win flick-ons. With service, he will be a success at the Banks’s.
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I know i have not been this season but I do worry if this big fella wants to hold the ball up for more creative players like troy??????
To be honest when i went last year troy was hardly the most creative thing i have ever seen down the bescot, even if he does put his head where it hurts.
Sounds like 2 of the same with the usual lack of proven goalscorer (cus they cost too much)
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We desperately need a striker!! Oldham released Byfield, worth a shout?
Would bring pace to the front line, something I believe both Parkin and Troy lack, whats peoples views on Troy so far, doesn’t seem with it?
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re: byfield
If ricketts was not taken on for another season I cant see them bringing back another striker with less ability and an even worse attitude?
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It’s my view that it’s the supply that’s the problem. We need to get the midfield combination right! All very well having Till and Jones out on the wings, but if the centre 2 are struggling they need help backing up the defence and getting forward to support the strikers. We don’t seem to have found the link through our play yet. CH doesn’t seem to be encouraging Till & Jones to get into the middle of the park when it’s necessary……
On the defence, I think Weston should be in the side. Daryl done really well, but should not be starting, too inexperienced. Going forward he is great and his tackling well timed, but he has to learn that the defence must work as a unit. Weston’s experience needed at the back.
Parkin and Deeney ought to be able to develop a good relationship, but whilst that it growing, we need some more ‘umph’ in midfield. CH needs to find the right combination of 2 from Mattis, Richards, Bradley and Taundry.
Not sure which will work, but I think if that can be solved, then the goals will come.
All that said, I have really enjoyed watching the Saddlers this season and have felt more confident of their ability.
One other thing, we seem to be running out of energy at the end of games, I know it’s early season, but the June fitness sessions and pre season friendlies don’t seem to have worked as far as fitness is concerned!
I’ll shut up now!……UTS!
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Splash out a bit of doe and bring in a good striker and a strong midfielder show some ambition 4 once whats 50 or 100 grand these days
?
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Words are cheap mate.
I hope you mean it but it’s time to show it on the field of play.
So far I’ve only seen you win about 1 header in 5 and then it’s usually flicked on to nobody in particular. Surely it’s much better to bring the ball down and play it on the floor to Troy rather than flick it to nobody.
I was excited about the signing of Parkin, at the moment he’s been a disappointment. Prove me wrong!!!
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Get Grigg involved in some of the games. Looks to have decent vision and a good touch from what I have seen…..can’t be any worse than what we already have from Parkin, Nicholls and Deeney!
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