Nile Ranger looking good, but can he step up to Premier League level?
Posted on July 22nd, 2010 | 151 Comments |
It seems like a lot of our squad have a point to prove this season.
Whether that point is proving that they are good enough to not get relegated again or to prove that they can actually play at the highest level, they all have something to prove to the fans, and most importantly, to themselves.
One of the players who is looking to establish himself is Nile Ranger, who has been chirping on today about how he relishing the opportunity of testing himself at the highest domestic level and how he is here because he wants to play, not because he wants to make up the numbers.
I personally have reservations about him. I don’t doubt his work ethic on the pitch, and I don’t doubt his ability as such, but I do have concerns over whether or not he can do the thing that strikers are paid to do – put the ball in the back of the net.
Having said that though, I feel a bit of perspective is needed. Ranger, in fairness, hasn’t really had that many minutes on the pitch. Most of his appearances have been as a substitute, apart from at the start of last season where he found himself starting due to injury within the squad. But the stats will reveal that he only scored two goals, which isn’t enough.
Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting him to bang twenty goals in, in fact I wasn’t expecting any set number goals from him as he is still learning, but what concerns me is the fact he seems a little ‘shot-shy’. I think you all know what I mean, but just in case you don’t I will try and cliche it – If you don’t buy a ticket, you won’t win the raffle.
Basically, he can hold the ball up, find a team-mate with a pass, chase things down etc etc, but when he gets into those key positions he seems to want to find a team-mate rather than having a shot at goal himself, which isn’t a bad thing if it is done at the right times.
Perhaps it is just me being greedy as I used to be a striker many many moons ago and always looked to get a shot away. Granted I was playing at a significantly slightly lower level than Ranger is, but I still reckon there is some validity in my approach.
Can Ranger make the step up?
Well if he can improve his goalscoring then I don’t see why not. Ranger is a raw talent and hasn’t really had that much exposure to first-team football. We have all seen he has some ability, but he needs to hone those skills and continue his improvement through first-team football.
Two goals in two games would suggest he is beginning to do this, although with respect to Carlisle and Celtic reserves, I am sure there will be tougher challenges ahead.
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
2 games?
I missed something like?