Marshy
Well-known member
I really hope not. To rely on an unproven 16 year old as part of your first team strike force, would be stupid in my view. Thats not to say I would not play him if he shows to be good enough during the coming season, but no way would I gamble on him being counted as a first team player and taking the place of a recognised striker..
As a 4th choice striker i really don't think its beyond reasonable.
Chances are we will have Baldock plus 2 new strikers... we generally play one up top, so unless we have a serious injury scenario he really wont get much game time, I would love to see him in and around the 1st team squad though.
We will struggle to convince 3 proven strikers plus Baldock that they will get much game time, so going with a young/youth product if Hughton deems him good enough as a 4th striker seems great to me and shows the other young lads a path to the first team squad is there.
Watching him against Stoke u21s the other night was enough for me to know he is a very very good prospect. Sure get him in all those u21 games regularly to further his development, but I think he has what it takes to make the step up if required.