Don't particularly want to single out players after a generally poor team display, but just have to say it's becoming almost painful to watch Moult lead the line at this level. Pretty sure he had 0 shots today, chose to do a (badly misplaced) pass when on the edge of the box showing a lack of ruthlessness, and probably has about 2-3 shots all season when on the pitch.
He's obviously a good guy and is trying his best, but he is almost never in the right position to receive chances, almost never wins any physical or aerial duels, and is far too slow to even offer certain attributes even off form, like running the channels or getting in behind defences, like Hugill could do. People may say his 'link up' play is good, but imho a few decent link passes (a basic at this level of football really) have been blown out of proportion as it's basically the only thing he can do for us.
Wasn't always a big fan of Hugill whilst he was here, but it's undeniable that he ran his socks off for the team, had the pace for a big man to run the channels and trouble defenders on the turn, put himself about physically, defenders couldn't get a clean header against him due to his awkward build, and he scored a few important goals at Deepdale in particular last season to win us points.
To 'replace' him with Moult as 1 in 1 out in January is like chalk and cheese, a huge downgrade and without doubt damaged our play-off push then and is damaging our season now, especially with the cash not reinvested.
Our start to the season suggests we're in for a much more difficult season than last season anyway, but to expect to improve upon last season, as the club hope, with Moult up top (or an inexperienced Nmecha which is a different matter altogether) is an utter farce.
I hope he proves me wrong massively, and that this thread is being dragged up further down the line if he's banging the goals in, but right now I think trying hard just isn't enough and he looks way out of his depth at Championship level.
He's obviously a good guy and is trying his best, but he is almost never in the right position to receive chances, almost never wins any physical or aerial duels, and is far too slow to even offer certain attributes even off form, like running the channels or getting in behind defences, like Hugill could do. People may say his 'link up' play is good, but imho a few decent link passes (a basic at this level of football really) have been blown out of proportion as it's basically the only thing he can do for us.
Wasn't always a big fan of Hugill whilst he was here, but it's undeniable that he ran his socks off for the team, had the pace for a big man to run the channels and trouble defenders on the turn, put himself about physically, defenders couldn't get a clean header against him due to his awkward build, and he scored a few important goals at Deepdale in particular last season to win us points.
To 'replace' him with Moult as 1 in 1 out in January is like chalk and cheese, a huge downgrade and without doubt damaged our play-off push then and is damaging our season now, especially with the cash not reinvested.
Our start to the season suggests we're in for a much more difficult season than last season anyway, but to expect to improve upon last season, as the club hope, with Moult up top (or an inexperienced Nmecha which is a different matter altogether) is an utter farce.
I hope he proves me wrong massively, and that this thread is being dragged up further down the line if he's banging the goals in, but right now I think trying hard just isn't enough and he looks way out of his depth at Championship level.
