I REALLY NEED A PARTNER
All strikers like to have a mate up front - and I've had SEVEN this season
I'VE played with SEVEN different strike partners this season - and 13 in all during my two and a half years at Blackpool.
That hasn't always made life easy but I'd rather have a partner of any kind than do the job on my own!
That's what happened at Reading on Tuesday, when Lee Hendrie was sent off for a challenge so innocuous that even some of THEIR players told the ref it wasn't a red card.
As a striker, you always fear the worse in that situation because you know one of you will be sacrificed - it was Adam Hammill at Reading and that left me to lead the line on my own. Not easy, especially against the best side in the division!
Every striker you play with has different strengths and weaknesses, so you have to adapt your game accordingly.
The most enjoyable and productive strike partnerships I've had were with Lloyd Owuso at Brentford and Danny Allsopp at Hull.
I immediately clicked with those two and both partnerships produced a lot of goals. Indeed, Danny and I were so good together that one Hull couple named their son Benjamin Daniel in our honour!
I won't name the striker I've struggled most with if I or any of his other team-mates tried to talk to him on the pitch, he would tell us to f*** off.
There are a lot of strikers at Blackpool this season - and we're all competing for just two starting places. That could make life difficult but we all get on pretty well.
We all know that in our position you have the chance to be a hero and games for your team.
This article has 5 comments
just found your site its great.keep up the good work
ps whose the nasty striker
By bill holt. Posted January 9 2009 at 5:11 PM.
Mate, i hope you get to read these comments.
im a 16 year old lad who just loves football, and reading these stories you have been telling, just makes me want this even more!
You lads really do have a laugh !
all the best for the season.
By Ben Killingham. Posted December 18 2008 at 11:36 PM.
As usual, even on his blog we get the Burgess knockers. Ben just keep up the good work, the lads around you know your strengths (and weaknesses) as does Simon Grayson.
By True Tangerine. Posted December 15 2008 at 3:07 PM.
Ben,
Please dont listen to comments like the above.
Clearly hasnt got a clue.
By Lytham_Seasider. Posted December 15 2008 at 11:30 AM.
Ben , How can you claim your a striker ..!! your a forward ,yes , team player , yes , you get back and help, yes ..But a striker ..No way..
When you find some aggression from within yourself , and use you weight ,and height , with purpose , and stay alert to whats going on around you, you will win more balls in the box , and score vital goals .,till then it aint gonna happen for you, whoever partners you ..You are a likable person, but ,like we all do at times ,You need to take a good look in the mirror , and ask yourself , did i do my best , and have a reality check...
You may have been at blackpool for over 2 years , but never featured in any of the " perfect ten " promotion games, dont pretend to yourself ,youve done well ..You havnt . ,Your wish for fair play is applaudable , but unrealistic ...
Please, stop looking to blame others for your lack of goals , and work on your pace and aggression , and they will come ...Good Luck for 2009 .....
By Moz. Posted December 14 2008 at 7:09 PM.