Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Spilsby Red on November 11, 2025, 09:01:01 pm

Title: Hanlan
Post by: Spilsby Red on November 11, 2025, 09:01:01 pm
only saw second half. Impressed with him. Great finish. Yes he fluffed one but kept going. Let’s hope this can be a kick start for him
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Avsuptem on November 11, 2025, 09:02:41 pm
He fluffed more than one. He could get a job as a fluffer.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Spilsby Red on November 11, 2025, 09:04:27 pm
Give him credit. Strikers don’t score every chance they get. His all round play was positive
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: 5minstogo on November 11, 2025, 09:06:19 pm
He was much better second half. Mind you not much positive from anyone first-half
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Goldthorperover on November 11, 2025, 09:12:50 pm
I thought Hanlan did ok when he came on against Barnsley and thought he was good tonight. He's improving slowly and if he gets on the pitch on Saturday against Lincoln then I'm backing him to score!
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: danumdon on November 11, 2025, 09:27:42 pm
To me he looks like he needs some consecutive game time, confidence and touch are always going to be lacking if he struggles to get any meaningful game time.

Needs persevering with, tonight will have done him a world of good, now needs to kick on.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on November 11, 2025, 09:32:13 pm
Did we really expect a clinical striker when signing him? I didn’t given the record but I understood it at the time with GM saying how he’s lead the line and be an absolute pain. Basically Street without the goals because we can’t afford the goals but helps the rest of the team.

I’ve been disappointed in his general play which hasn’t matched up to what Grant said he’d bring. But he’s shown glimpses now and probably needs more game time.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: mushRTID on November 11, 2025, 09:34:51 pm
Did we really expect a clinical striker when signing him? I didn’t given the record but I understood it at the time with GM saying how he’s lead the line and be an absolute pain. Basically Street without the goals because we can’t afford the goals but helps the rest of the team.

I’ve been disappointed in his general play which hasn’t matched up to what Grant said he’d bring. But he’s shown glimpses now and probably needs more game time.

I don’t think anyone expected a clinical striker.

I think people did expect him to do something of note before 11th November.

We can’t change the last few months. Hopefully he kicks on.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: scawsby steve on November 11, 2025, 09:38:08 pm
One thing's for certain. He should be on the bench ahead of Olusanya every game.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Usher wide. on November 11, 2025, 09:42:51 pm
Won one aerial challenge in the first half which went out of play.

Second half he couldn’t get the ball from under his feet after missing a tap in on 47 minutes.

Did exactly the same on 52 minutes after a pull back into the area by Nixon.

Didn’t attack the near post after a sublime cross by Mols on 57 minutes but got caught between two City defenders in ‘waiting’ for the ball to arrive at his feet.

A fantastic through ball saw him use his strength, pace & calmness to score a good goal to put the fixture to bed.

My personal thoughts are that he is not good enough a player to lead the line & get us out of this division despite ‘that goal’.

We badly need a striker in January because if Billy gets injured….
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: roversdude on November 11, 2025, 09:44:04 pm
Second half it was like we’d subbed a number 9 for a number 9. Shocking first half along with most of the others linked up well second half and took his goal(s) well
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: NickDRFC on November 11, 2025, 09:44:28 pm
Did we really expect a clinical striker when signing him? I didn’t given the record but I understood it at the time with GM saying how he’s lead the line and be an absolute pain. Basically Street without the goals because we can’t afford the goals but helps the rest of the team.

I’ve been disappointed in his general play which hasn’t matched up to what Grant said he’d bring. But he’s shown glimpses now and probably needs more game time.

I don’t think anyone expected a clinical striker.

I think people did expect him to do something of note before 11th November.

We can’t change the last few months. Hopefully he kicks on.

Big caveat that both his goals have come in the EFL trophy but he’s averaging a goal every 270 minutes this season whilst Billy is averaging 1 every 317 minutes. I’m not saying that he’s a better option than Sharp but he’s not had the time or the consistency of selection to really show what he can do and I can’t understand how extreme some of the criticism on here has been.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: mushRTID on November 11, 2025, 09:48:10 pm
Did we really expect a clinical striker when signing him? I didn’t given the record but I understood it at the time with GM saying how he’s lead the line and be an absolute pain. Basically Street without the goals because we can’t afford the goals but helps the rest of the team.

I’ve been disappointed in his general play which hasn’t matched up to what Grant said he’d bring. But he’s shown glimpses now and probably needs more game time.

I don’t think anyone expected a clinical striker.

I think people did expect him to do something of note before 11th November.

We can’t change the last few months. Hopefully he kicks on.

Big caveat that both his goals have come in the EFL trophy but he’s averaging a goal every 270 minutes this season whilst Billy is averaging 1 every 317 minutes. I’m not saying that he’s a better option than Sharp but he’s not had the time or the consistency of selection to really show what he can do and I can’t understand how extreme some of the criticism on here has been.

With such limited options up front there has to be a reason he hasn’t had more minutes!

Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: GazLaz on November 11, 2025, 09:52:00 pm
Did we really expect a clinical striker when signing him? I didn’t given the record but I understood it at the time with GM saying how he’s lead the line and be an absolute pain. Basically Street without the goals because we can’t afford the goals but helps the rest of the team.

I’ve been disappointed in his general play which hasn’t matched up to what Grant said he’d bring. But he’s shown glimpses now and probably needs more game time.

I don’t think anyone expected a clinical striker.

I think people did expect him to do something of note before 11th November.

We can’t change the last few months. Hopefully he kicks on.

Big caveat that both his goals have come in the EFL trophy but he’s averaging a goal every 270 minutes this season whilst Billy is averaging 1 every 317 minutes. I’m not saying that he’s a better option than Sharp but he’s not had the time or the consistency of selection to really show what he can do and I can’t understand how extreme some of the criticism on here has been.

With such limited options up front there has to be a reason he hasn’t had more minutes!



Similar process to when Gibson wasn’t used at the start of last season when he was clearly good enough to be starting games for us.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Spud on November 11, 2025, 09:56:05 pm
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: GazLaz on November 11, 2025, 10:02:10 pm
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: drfchound on November 11, 2025, 10:08:45 pm
Hanlan looked a better player in the second half when our better other players came on as subs.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Monkcaster_Rover on November 11, 2025, 10:10:01 pm
Glad he got a goal. He did well for our 3rd goal as well to hold it up to lay Molyneux off who sprayed it across to Gibson.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Usher wide. on November 11, 2025, 10:35:19 pm
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: mpc123 on November 11, 2025, 10:37:36 pm
I think he wull come good if he starts getting minutes now
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: redarmi66 on November 11, 2025, 11:06:02 pm
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?
im more concerned about staying in this division. So i would say hes improving slowly and might be part of a mid table league 1 squad.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: keith79 on November 12, 2025, 06:02:26 am
The lad was involved in all 3 goals.  Some people are just never happy.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Padge_DRFC on November 12, 2025, 06:39:03 am
The goal was a quality finish. Would have been easy to take the make sure I hit the target side foot finish there after 2 missed chances.

Gibson needs to play every game. Molyneux also really seems back on it last 3 games too.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Reg of the Rovers on November 12, 2025, 06:51:12 am
Can’t fault Hanlan tonight, was busy and involved and got on the end of thing. He fluffed a couple of chances but took his goal well and looked unlucky with the offside not to get two. At least he’s making chances and in the mix, if your striker is making four big chances a half that’s good going, and that Bradford team were no mugs. Has to be at least on the bench and first sub every week and pushing for some starts.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: roversdaft on November 12, 2025, 07:07:23 am
Hanlan for me is a very disappointing signing, he’s too slow and his touch is awful.
He did ‘ok’ in most parts of the second half, in the first half he looked like a trialist from 6 leagues below.

He’s not the answer, but we will never know until McCann changes the completely non effective 4-2-3-1 formation where he leaves every striker, including Billy, ridiculously exposed.

There is little or no support for any striker in these tactics, give Hanlan a partner and we might see a striker somewhere in there.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: 5minstogo on November 12, 2025, 07:15:01 am
Hanlan for me is a very disappointing signing, he’s too slow and his touch is awful.
He did ‘ok’ in most parts of the second half, in the first half he looked like a trialist from 6 leagues below.

He’s not the answer, but we will never know until McCann changes the completely non effective 4-2-3-1 formation where he leaves every striker, including Billy, ridiculously exposed.

There is little or no support for any striker in these tactics, give Hanlan a partner and we might see a striker somewhere in there.

Slow? Sometimes I wonder if Im watching the same players.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: GazLaz on November 12, 2025, 07:18:59 am
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?

There’s not going to be one individual that gets us out of this division, if that is even the realistic target. We have a lot of players that aren’t top 6 L1 players if that has become your benchmark. Hanlan and Sharp can share the workload more evenly without there being a drop off in performances, in my opinion.



Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: roversdaft on November 12, 2025, 07:22:07 am
Hanlan for me is a very disappointing signing, he’s too slow and his touch is awful.
He did ‘ok’ in most parts of the second half, in the first half he looked like a trialist from 6 leagues below.

He’s not the answer, but we will never know until McCann changes the completely non effective 4-2-3-1 formation where he leaves every striker, including Billy, ridiculously exposed.

There is little or no support for any striker in these tactics, give Hanlan a partner and we might see a striker somewhere in there.

Slow? Sometimes I wonder if Im watching the same players.

There’s more than one way to be slow mate:

Slow to anticipate a pass
Slow to think what he’s doing next
Slow to get on the end of crosses
Slow to close down

Don’t really need to mention much more.

Building up a head of steam over 40 yards means nothing if it took you 5 seconds to figure it out!
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: roversdaft on November 12, 2025, 07:28:41 am
It’s great if you can run 100metres in under 10 seconds…

But pointless if you set off 5 seconds after the starter pistol has fired!
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: ncRover on November 12, 2025, 07:34:23 am
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?

You think the club should realistically be expecting automatic promotion?
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: jmt23 on November 12, 2025, 07:40:25 am
I think some went down the hatred rabbit hole so far, it’s a little hard to accept what happened :lol:.

He was good. Will he get us out of this division? Good god, we need to stabilise going on the last 10 games, the ambition to get promoted needs to be re assessed by those who allowed themselves to think it possible.

I think we are an average team at this level, more quality and pace required to trouble the top end.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Belle_Vue on November 12, 2025, 08:14:56 am
Was great last night, seemed to tire but to be expected
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: Usher wide. on November 12, 2025, 08:18:57 am
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?

You think the club should realistically be expecting automatic promotion?
Not this season clearly.

We recruited badly (Ajayi, Olusanya, Crew & Hanlan) we may be able to push for a play off spot still if we get rid of the dross (Sbarra, Close along with the other 4) stay in ‘contention’ until the January transfer window opens then recruit well.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: drfchound on November 12, 2025, 05:43:58 pm
It has been fascinating to see how the opinions of Hanlan have changed during the course of this thread.
Title: Re: Hanlan
Post by: scawsby steve on November 12, 2025, 06:20:41 pm
Earned himself a bit more time for me, he needs it too. Made one good turn in the box first half which we got a corner from I think? Certainly needs to make the ball stick a bit better, which he did second half.
I said to the grandson he's gonna score tonight, about ten seconds before he did, chuffed for him.

Nice bit of play to slide Nixon in to cross for the Gibson header. He played ok, and will only get sharper if he got the opportunity to start a run of games.

Do you honestly believe he is the No.9 to get us out of this division?

You think the club should realistically be expecting automatic promotion?

You're asking the wrong person, NC. You should be asking Terry and GM. That's their stated ambition.

Let's wait and see what happens in January.