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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Top Article. I think N’gog can be a new Trezeguet for us, the movement, physique and style is more similar than that of Anelka or Henry. I don’t think he’ll ever pick the ball from the edge of the box, run past 5 defenders and score. But soon, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with inside and around the box and so, it’s important we keep hold of him and get behind him fully. None of the other teams have such a promising young striker so I don’t see why he gets so much flak.
More like Bambi than Henry. Can’t stay on his arse for two minutes!!!!!!!!!!
Dont be silly – The answer is no
I dnt think Ngog could tie anelka or henry’s shoes, I personally think if Ryan Babel had half as many starts as Ngog and not get dropped after every game he could be a superstar!
John Casey – Don’t care if he’s like Bambi at least he can score.
Agree Jay mate – should be behind all our players. If the lads scoring can’t see the problem. Just how many goes does Babel need. We all know how good he could be. Fed up hearing he never gets a proper run in the team – he never looks to me as if he’s even trying.
I agree with Jay and Kev.
no way poulson can replce masch defensively…but the defensive attributes of both poulson and mereles or poulson and gerrard together in medfield can be compared to masheranos defensive effect in team..and i feel as more games go by we see poulson spraying more attacking passes forward..an INJURY LESS MATCH AT TRAFFORD WAS MORE IMP THAN A WIN OR A DRAW AT MANU COS THE NEXT MONTH IS VERY CRUCIAL FOR US…GLAD THAT OUR FULL SQUAD CAN START AGAINST SUNDERLAND
Can’t believe that Ngog still get’s criticisim he tries hard when ever he plays, and he looks a goal threat. Get off his back maybe he’s not the new Henry but we should get behind everybody in a red shirt, especially those who try.
Agree with all backing Ngog.
Some can be as critical as they want. The thing they cannot change is that this young man has talent – a definite talent which is being nurtured and coached each time he plays. Wait and see exactly
how great this lad will be!
More like Kanoute I think… still reserving judgement but has done well considering he’s been thrown in at the deep end
Go Ngog, He is scoring and that can only be good for his confidence
will he feck as like! we should’ve kept the old anelka!
Come on Steve mcauley – the old Anelka -how far back you going mate. how many strikers since then. Everyone knew what a talent Anelka was once he got his head together. This is the best he’s ever played at Chelsea. Can Babel do the same who knows – maybe – until then lets back young Ngog after all he’s the one scoring at the moment.
Joe Kelly,
I ask you to just watch him over a half hour period , he is a lazy uninterested arrogant waste of space. Not Liverpool standard . He does’nt try hard enough. He was completely lazy against Steau and got lucky in a move where Miereles and Pacheco did the hard work. He should have laid it off. Honestly I think Gerard Does not rate him at all and he is completely overindulged in the absence of a real man!!!
@jim, back far enough to remember how pissed off i was when houllier rejected a class act to buy diouf!
the article asked for comparisons and i’m just saying ngog doesn’t come close!
Ngog has a lot going for him-his goals have been second to none-however he needs to speed up a lot and get ‘stuck in’. He gets knocked off the ball much too easily ! he also needs to commit more and harrass opposing players to recover the ball when LFC are not in possession!
john casey; lazy uninterested arrogant doesn’t try hard enough. some of us think that’s Ryan Babel
Excellent article.
I cannot believe how far liverpool fans have dropped in the support given to players. It seems unless your a top world class player you do not get any support.
He is young give him support , especially when he is trying hard unlike Ryan Babel. He is more experianced and slightly older than Ryan Babel.
Ngog gets into the right positions and is improving every game.
Liverpool fans seem to want a team full of £30 mill players.