|
|
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson reveals he tried to sign David Ngog for Fulham earlier this year
Boss not surprised by scoring exploits...
18 Aug 2010 18:50:00
By Matt Monaghan
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he isn't surprised by David Ngog's scoring spree as he tried to bring the striker to Fulham.
Ngog, 21, has been in blistering form for the Reds and has scored four goals in three first team appearances this term. The France youth international struggled to make an impact last term and had looked to be on his way out under then manager Rafael Benitez.
Speaking to the club's official website, Hodgson admitted he had expected Ngog to shine and had made the centre forward a loan target in the New Year while in charge at Craven Cottage.
He said: "I wouldn't say he has surprised me. He is performing pretty much in the way I thought he could and should perform.
"In terms of judgement of front players, there's often a dual judgement - the judgement of the coach and the players who appreciate what he's doing, but if he's not scoring goals that won't be appreciated by other people such as fans and the mass media.
"I tried to loan him when I was at Fulham, but we were not allowed to because Liverpool didn't want to loan him out.
"We ended up taking Stefano Okaka from Roma, but when we were looking for some help up front we enquired about David Ngog and were told he wasn't available.
"So obviously I've always had some consideration for him."
Despite hitting new heights this campaign, Hodgson refused to set a target for the youngster and insisted he will stay as reserve to star man Fernando Torres.
"To get 20-25 goals a season you have to be playing in the region of 50-60 games," he stated.
"In reality, I wouldn't want that at the moment because that would possibly mean Torres isn't playing a lot of games.
"I don't set targets for him in terms of number of goals, my target for him is to be good enough to play in the Liverpool first team so that if I decided just to play with one forward, he could do what he has been doing for us so far."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Ngog, 21, has been in blistering form for the Reds and has scored four goals in three first team appearances this term. The France youth international struggled to make an impact last term and had looked to be on his way out under then manager Rafael Benitez.
Speaking to the club's official website, Hodgson admitted he had expected Ngog to shine and had made the centre forward a loan target in the New Year while in charge at Craven Cottage.
He said: "I wouldn't say he has surprised me. He is performing pretty much in the way I thought he could and should perform.
"In terms of judgement of front players, there's often a dual judgement - the judgement of the coach and the players who appreciate what he's doing, but if he's not scoring goals that won't be appreciated by other people such as fans and the mass media.
"I tried to loan him when I was at Fulham, but we were not allowed to because Liverpool didn't want to loan him out.
"We ended up taking Stefano Okaka from Roma, but when we were looking for some help up front we enquired about David Ngog and were told he wasn't available.
"So obviously I've always had some consideration for him."
Despite hitting new heights this campaign, Hodgson refused to set a target for the youngster and insisted he will stay as reserve to star man Fernando Torres.
"To get 20-25 goals a season you have to be playing in the region of 50-60 games," he stated.
"In reality, I wouldn't want that at the moment because that would possibly mean Torres isn't playing a lot of games.
"I don't set targets for him in terms of number of goals, my target for him is to be good enough to play in the Liverpool first team so that if I decided just to play with one forward, he could do what he has been doing for us so far."
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
