In July 2008, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez introduced a young French striker to the media. David Ngog was not a particularly impressive signing; we’d never heard of him and had a scoring record that read 1 league goal in 18 games for Paris Saint-Germain. Needless to say, he wasn’t greeted with the same kind of fanfare that Fernando Torres was the summer before. However, over 2 years later and David Ngog’s stock appears to be rising.
It would be easy to dismiss Ngog’s early season form as a fluke. Or as insignificant because of the opposition those 6 goals so far have been scored against, or even the competition they were scored in but you can’t pick and choose when to lavish praise and when to ignore good form. Every goal counts. If Fernando Torres supplements 20 league goals with another 6-7 from the Europa League and a handful in the Carling Cup, is anybody going to question his good form, or where those goals came from? No. So David Ngog’s 6 goals this season (lest we forget, he is already outscoring Gerrard and Torres) should be reason to give him credit and be excited about the youngster’s future. He is already 2 shy of his entire haul for last season, and is showing a developing ruthlessness that his early club form – for both PSG and Liverpool – belied. He is showing something Liverpool’s ‘second-choice’ strikers have lacked since Peter Crouch: the ability to finish clinically when called upon.
This deadly streak is, surprisingly, not something too new though, as his scoring record for the French youth sides and U21’s would suggest it has always been a strong attribute after amassing 21 goals in 42 internationals at all levels. So clearly David has always been a natural finisher, and was very comfortable at this level, as his stats suggest.
With this in mind then, it would seem to suggest that, as he has grown and developed and his experience at a higher level has increased, he has become more at home with the physical nature of English football, and the frenetic pace. A young man that at one time may have been completely perplexed by such a league has now come to terms with this mentally and physically and so now his natural talent for goal-scoring is being allowed to flourish. However, this is only a summation from what we have seen so far, not a guarantee, one can only hope this actually turns out to be the case.
Another reason that his form might indicate good things for the future is the past form of two of France’s most decorated and deadly strikers of the past 50 years – Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry. Neither of Ngog’s compatriots were anywhere close to prolific in their early years; in Henry’s case it would even be fair to say that he was particularly profligate in front of goal during his first few years outside of France. But given time, patience and a chance to come to terms with a new league-style and a new country and both of these young strikers became 20+ goals-a-season strikers. Neither of these Frenchmen was known as great goal-scorers in their youth but both found their feet in the Premier League after initially struggling for goals. You only have to look at the example of Fernando Torres, who, before his arrival in the Premier League had question marks against all attributes that have since made him a world star. 82 league goals over 6 full seasons in Spain have been followed by 57 league goals in half the time since joining Liverpool.
None of this is to say that it’s a definite that Ngog will turn out the same way as any of these top-class strikers, and his early season form may well fizzle out ad the goals dry up. But while it’s going in his favour, Liverpool fans should all get behind him and push him forward. His early season form appears to be pointing to a more positive young striker, with a more robust physique and mental attitude; long may this improvement continue.
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The Coca-Cola Happiness Machine strikes again – this time in London!
raf how right you are. Just waiting for the first complaint about Torres if he doesn’t score soon!
I think u guys r right, I’d we had signed him 4 20 million u would not b so quick to criticise, he is scoring and growing in confidence, yes he needs 2 stand up more and improve his physical game but that will come, its interesting how the change in manager will help him, suspect it is easier to play under a manager who will outwardly support u,
He scored more goals than Arsenal’s 2nd striker last season, and is 2 away from beating that already this season. Name a better 1.5 million pound reserve striker, who scores goals for the U21 for fun? Great back up and is massively improving his finishing – Babel is the most inconsistent footballer ever to grace the pitch, no wonder he gets taken off every game
Ngog is not good enough for Liverpool, and expected to be frozen out and sold off after the Liverpool takeover.
Pacheco or Babel are a better choice, but Hodgson did not see this means that he is incapable to become Liverpool’s manager.
I expected Hodgson, Ngog, Lucas, Maxi, Konchensky, Poulsen to be sold after the Liverpool takeover. They all do not deserves the Liverpool shirts.
Happy garden, show some patience, what u r describing is a team of stars rather than a star team, young players need to grow and learn, they won’t do that without making mistakes, or being afraid to take a risk, by all means have a pop at hodgson once time has past to allow his visions and style to come through, but let and encourage players like Ngog as someone has pointed out above for the low cost we could have a bargain
He’s only 21, Pls give him support. i bet he will be world class goal machine striker like Suarez when he gets to 23.
Bryan
and oh yeah!! Babel is lazy and useless too!! Nogg wil be no good long term . You can be sure that Hodgson will bring in a decent player when he gets the chance. Dave for Aus has made similar points I think most people see it. Hope I am proved wrong but I don’t think so!!!
john casey – plenty of support for Ngog on here though about half of the comments.I hope your’re right John about Hodgson bringing in a decent player because after buying Konchesky I am really worried for us. Hope I am proved wrong but I don’t think so!!!
like Babel, Ngog needs more playing time..RH should really consider 4-4-2 against Sunderland this weekend with Ngog & Torres..lets us all see what happens when they play together for 90mins.
i belive Ngog is well prepared for the league under Rafa..now its the time to unleash him…
Ngog is more suited to league 1 football than to liverpool. His record this season is extremely flattering and the goals don’t nearly make up for the squandered chances. No touch, no control, can’t hold the ball up, can’t beat a defender to save his life and he may look like Henry but he can only dream of that pace. How this player has gained the striker tag next to his name is beyond me, and to have him starting games for the Liverpool first XI is utterly ludicrous. At least Babel shows the raw ingredients and, given the opportunities afforded to Ngog, Ryan could be an influential player by now. David Ngog, unfortunately, shows nothing.