New signing Garner: I'll get goals if I'm given the right role at Scunthorpe United
FOR A man who rates finishing as his best asset, Joe Garner is disappointed he hasn't had much of chance to showcase that talent in recent years.
Calm and composed in the opposition penalty area, the 22-year-old striker has always scored goals.
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GOAL THREAT: Joe Garner settles in to his new surroundings after joining the Iron on loan from Nottingham Forest yesterday. Picture: Carl Gac.
He got 30 a season for the academy team at Blackburn Rovers – where he was later coached by legendary striker Mark Hughes.
He even once netted six times for the Lancashire side in a 9-0 demolition of Manchester United (albeit it at under-16 level).
Aside though from a single season at Carlisle, when he ended the campaign averaging a goal almost every two games, replicating that prolific form in first-team football has been devoid of equal opportunity.
Seemingly seen by his last couple of managers as a jack of all trades, playing on both flanks and behind a lone striker, he has also clearly been viewed as a master of none.
That is where he is hoping Scunthorpe will be different.
While happy to play wherever he is asked in a bid to help lift his new side out of the Championship doldrums, the Nottingham Forest front man has his own preference.
"I can play in midfield and I'll help the team wherever I can, but I come to Scunthorpe as a striker," Garner told the Telegraph.
"I've spent a lot of the last few years playing wide right and behind a striker, perhaps more than I would have liked.
"I scored goals at Carlisle and I feel I'm good enough to do it at this level.
"I've scored goals in this league. I did it when I first went to Forest and they had just come up into the Championship.
"We did well that year and stayed up, so hopefully I can replicate that at Scunthorpe.
"I've shown I've got the ability to score goals and hopefully I'll get a bit of luck and a few breaks. If I do then I know I'll be fine.
"I think you've got to play at the highest level you can for the longest possible time. I've been given a chance to come here so I'll take it with both hands."
To read about why Garner's career at Nottingham Forest has failed to progress and to get his thoughts about a possible debut at Middlesbrough tonight, see Tuesday's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
8 Comments
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 8:18PM
“"even when we were in the sh@t we averaged 20,000 compared to your 3,000."
Ha ha - what rubbish! I know you can barely string a sentence together, but it seems you have the same problem with numbers. You've only averaged over 20,000 in 2009 and 2010. And in the years when other supporters were chucking twenty pences into your begging blanket to stop your tinpot outfit going extinct, it was around the 3-4,000 mark:
1995 - 4,794
1996 - 3,803
1997 - 3,413
1998 - 4,682
(http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/hulc.htm)
The support has only come recently, coincidently along with the good times - when you needed them, your plastics were nowhere to be seen. So it seems perfectly accurate to label Hull's fans as not being proper supporters. Sorry to have to teach you the history of the club you claim to support, "kidda". Now, trot on and keep that goat warm.”
by dave, hull
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 5:44PM
“hahaha "proper support" were sold out tonight kidda with proper supporters 22,000 hull 3,500 leeds. how many fans of yours do you think will turn up tonight 200 maybe 300 for your game? even when we were in the sh@t we averaged 20,000 compared to your 3,000.”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 4:23PM
“I tried to work my way through what that goat herder had written, I really did, but it was too much for me. Not in a James Joyce sort of way, more in a "chewing gum for the eyes" sort of way. What I suspect he was trying to get at though, was that they're desperate to win to avenge us turning them over at their council-owned ground, thereby making it 1-1 for the season. What he doesn't realise is that nobody actually cares about Hull and its plastic followers. Our rivals are teams with proper support, not one-season wonders.”
by dave, hull
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 3:56PM
“hahaha looks like the tigers are striking fear into teams. i cant wait for saturday, well i can because i dont want to stand in shed from B&Q but o'well its not your fault your sh@t. get your excuses ready because once weve put leeds to the sword your next!!”
by Mark, Bev
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 3:04PM
“Im still not convinced by these signings, we need atleast a point tonight so we can head into the game against hull without fear. Doubt weil beat hull though they hav'nt lost away in 9 games and they've lost once in 14 games, still weil give it a go!! "up the iron"!!!”
by CARL LEWIS, DERBY
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 11:54AM
“Moggie,lets hope your right.As chief happy clapper we know you are easily pleased,but now is the time for the team to do the talking on the pitch and win matches to get us out of the hole they have dug,really hoping for the great escape and Derby continue to falter."UP THE IRON"!!!”
by RainMan999, London
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 10:50AM
“Agreed. For the first time in a while I am not 100% we are going to get relegated.”
by Oscar O'Moggie, Brigg
Tuesday, February 01 2011, 10:20AM
“I think Wharton and Barra have answered their critics regarding showing commitment and atrracting players to the club.
Nine in (with Nolan), two out is a statement of intent. Shame about Woolly leaving but he would have left in Summer, so business wise it's a good deal. Deal of the transfer window was getting money for Forte- Adkins must know something we don't.
The new players look decent and theirs a good mix of youth and experience. Although they all aren't available tonight, we could start on Saturday with seven new outfield players (eight if Gordons fit).
I'm sure that soon the usual suspects will be on finding fault and having a moan but I think it's been a good transfer window, and once more theres a feel good factor. However this positive energy needs converting into results on the pitch.”