Loan strikers fail to deliver

LATICS ROUND-UP: WITH the transfer window firmly shut for the season, ailing Athletic are seeking a loan remedy for their painful lack of goals.

Dave Penney's side have found the net only 24 times in 31 league matches this season.

And with that kind of record, it is little surprise to see the team struggling in the League One relegation zone.

Possibly the most telling statistic is the number of times players other than strikers have found the back of the net.

Fit-again front man Pawel Abbott has nine to his name and Deane Smalley's only goal in 2009-10 came against Exeter in the 2-0 home win when he was playing as a central striker rather than on the right wing.

Forwards Nick Blackman, now back at Blackburn after an unsuccessful loan spell, Ryan Brooke, Paul Heffernan — now on loan with Bristol Rovers — and currently on-loan Jason Price have one each, with Keigan Parker on two for the season.

That isn't a particularly impressive set of statistics.

But there are at least goals there. In contrast, the whole of Athletic's midfield scoring contribution totals just SIX in all competitions this season.

Assistant Athletic boss Martin Gray feels there is a strong need for the club's midfielders to help out when it comes to hitting the net.

And his argument is backed up when placed alongside the record of Athletic's loan signings over the past two seasons.

With only five goals in 54 appearances, it seems a short-term fix is not beneficial.

"People talk about forwards, but everyone has got to chip in with goals," Gray said.

"You can't just say that the front two have got to score. Yes, that is what they are there to do, but look at the team overall and it has to come from every department.

“It can definitely help to take the pressure away if goals come from other areas of the pitch."

Athletic's loan strikers for the past two seasons

2009-10

Nick Blackman: 7 games (plus 6 as sub), 1 goal; Paul Heffernan: 4 games, 1 goal; Jason Price: 6 games, 1 goal.

2008-09

Brett Ormerod: 2 games (3), 0 goals; Darren Byfield: 8 games, 1 goal; Dean Windass: 9 games (2), 1 goal; Steve Kabba: 7 games, 0 goals.

Total: 43 games (11), 5 goals.