I had mixed feelings when we signed Junior after a prolonged chase in the aftermath of Tyson’s injury at the start of the season. A mate of mine is a Gas fan, and whilst he was sad to see Junior go, he warned me at the time that we’d have a player on our hands who was capable of moments of brilliance, but also of losing interest in a game quite quickly and coasting – and very much a player who thrives on adulation from fans.
Of course, to get adulation from us fickle folk, you have to earn it – so it’s interesting to see that as Agogo has had a good run of form with an excellent five goals in three games, he seems to be going from strength to strength with the fans behind him. His positioning, timing, first touch and – crucially – finishing have all impressed me greatly in recent games, not that he didn’t impress me before, but not to this extent.
There’s a fine line between “disinterested” or “lazy” and a player who is intelligent enough to read the game sufficiently to realise when a cause is worth chasing. Those of you who had the pleasure of seeing a certain Stanley Collymore in a Forest shirt will primarily remember him getting the ball, spinning his defender and running clear before scoring with consummate ease – you wouldn’t remember the 80 odd minutes of him loitering around awaiting his chance. And why should you?
Not that I think Agogo is in Collymore’s league – of course not, but perhaps when I’ve thought him lazy or disinterested I’ve done him a disservice. With good service he seems eager to get on the end of chances. I don’t think he’s quite as fast as he was billed as upon signing – not that he’s a slouch – so he isn’t really geared up to chase lost causes like Tyson can with his blistering pace. Perhaps he isn’t the kind of player who will track back (like Grant does, and Nathan to an extent), but he does make intelligent runs, and clearly when confident and given good service he can finish off his chances.
It’s pleasing to see – and Junior should be congratulated. His scoring record until recently hadn’t been too impressive, and he must have been feeling the pressure – particularly with Nath’s return to fitness ahead of schedule, and with Lester’s impressive form not to mention Dobie’s slightly confusing return to first choice contention – but he seems to have found the best way to answer his critics and stake his claim for a starting place – and long may it continue!
Filed under: Thoughts
nice full stand in the picture
he’s doing well is junior hope he continues his form for the rest of the season, god knows what i’d do if we’re in this league for another year.
Every time he seems to be playing well, he then seems to head off to play for Ghana, then has to sit on the bench for a few games afterwards till he can get his place back. That kind of bugs me.
Since his arrival, i think he’s been our best forward. Go Go Junior!
Have to work tonight. so COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Never thought he would become such an important part of the team.
Hes undoubtedly a confidence player and presently he’s brimming with it – the way he took the 5th goal against Town was with some aplomb.
I, for one, never doubted he would pot it. Sadly I NEVER have the same certainty when one Mister Grant Holt finds himself in the same position!!!!!!
Commons did well, getting a full 90 minutes under his belt, so I’m going to have a small wager he’ll grab a goal tonight.
Commons & Agogo will be the key against a very defensive Donny tonight. They will set out to frustrate us & get the fans on the teams backs (A la Northampton)
“There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Agogo!”
I was hoping Vincent Fernandez would make it so we could use that chant… mind you, it’s a bit on the effeminate side for football fans, isn’t it?
Surely, everyone is missing the obvious Junior chant….
Think 1981
Think of a group called “Landscape”
“Einstein a Go-Go”