Boss’ challenge for Troy Deeney
Monday 24th May 2010, 10:25AM BST.
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has challenged Troy Deeney to become a 20-goal striker after insisting the forward must up his strike-rate.
The manager has kept the heat on Deeney during pre-season as he bids to turn him into a powerhouse striker the Saddlers can bank on.
Deeney finished last season as the Saddlers’ 14-goal top scorer – picking up the Player of the Season award in the process – but Hutchings insists the 21-year-old must improve.
He said: “It’s something we stress to him constantly. We know he can get 15 to 20 goals. I’ve said to him before there are plenty of strikers about who get 10 or 15 goals, but if you get 20 plus you will get looked at and that’s the target for him.
“If you get to 15 to 20 goals then you make people sit up.
“You get a few strikers getting 10 or 12 but when you get nearer 20 goals then you start getting looked at and if you get over 20 you are definitely looked at.”
Since becoming an out and out striker under Hutchings, Deeney has scored 24 goals in 68 games and the Saddlers have tied him down to new 18-month contract last November.
But Hutchings warns the fans’ favourite must get used to being a marked man, after his impact since the manager arrived in January 2009.
He said: “Troy has improved and it’s there for all to see, he would have been marked closer this year after playing a striker and his goals the season before.
“The second season is always the test as people take a closer look at you. We’ll have to wait and see how far he can go, it was only his second full season up front but he knows he’s got a lot to learn and tidy up but he’s scoring goals.”
“That’s what strikers are judged on.”
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ie he wants a move, JB want a move so get ya finger out and score so we can get rid
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Maybe a midfield that gives some service would help? Troy did a great job considering the level of service he received this season
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think don sums it up no sales this season so lets get another prize asset in the window of the bonser pension fund kity.
i will say bye now troy no doubt coventry have first dabs
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his goals to chances ratio is fantastic – he hardly misses a chance, pretty clinical. service is indeed the issue, he has to create most of his chances himself
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I have to disagree Michael, on a number of occasions this season he has blazed over when he should of at least worked the keeper, I agree service is an issue but some of the finishing in my opinion has been suspsect.
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Nice to hear the rich pickings line , so many club’s off loading their sub -standard player’s , and then we hear second division club’s Lincoln and Chesterfield already offer 2 year deal’s ,we’re just starting to do that ! sound’s like we’re last chance saloon already , can’t even compete with second divison team’s , and already trying to drum up the sale of our young striker !! sell , sell , sell not buy , but see who’s without a club again two week’s before the season start’s and take a chance ! no wonder we’re constantly punching above our weight is it really ?
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Are we trying to drum up the sale’s patter again ?
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Nick.
Please remove the apostrophe key from your keyboard. It serves no purpose.
Thank’s [sic]
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I have to agree with Sheldinho – Deeney is a good prospect but he is far from the finished article. He needs to develop a little more composure in front of goal. I thibnk he will turn out to be a good League 1/(lower) Championship player but I don’t think he is Premiership class. I would have no qualms if we sold him for a decent fee as long as some of the cash gets spent on decent replacements. And as for punching above your weight, Blackpool are second bottom of the Championship attendances league but got promotion…..so perhaps 10th in League 1 ain’t that good actually!
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For years i’ve been saying if we get decent money for this player or that player and spend some of it on the replacment that will be ok. BUT we accept the first pitifull offer then get told it’s all been spent on loan players so I wouldn’t hold you breadth
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