In his pre-match press conference this week, Michael Skubala admitted that striker Ben House needs to chip in with more goals after a challenging season.
House was one of the starts of Mark Kennedy‘s full season in charge, but after picking up an injury in September 2023, he’s struggled to recapture that form in front of goal. He’s hit five in 36 matches but hasn’t bagged in 18 games, a run going back to our 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town in December.
Michael explained that while he hasn’t got the goals or assists to show for his endeavour, he is still working hard for the team.
“I think what Housey brings to the team is phenomenal,” he said. “His effort and endeavour without the ball is top. He’s one of the best in the division for that, if not the best.
“He chips in at the right time for goals. He needs to score more and create more chances. He knows that. But what he offers the team is unquestionable. He is a big part of us.”
“Whenever he plays, he probably has a role for the team first and foremost, like all of them, and then secondly, tries to get his goals. But he’ll know he needs to chip in with more.”
Remarkably, only seven teams have scored more than City this season, but our leading scorer in the league, Jovon Makama, has seven goals. The xG table suggests that we should have even more – if games were decided by xG (cue the groans) we’d currently be sixth in the table.
That aligns with Michael’s assertion that Ben does need more goals, but he isn’t the only one – Jovon, Freddie, Bailey Cadamarteri and plenty of others have wasted good chances over the course of the season.
It does, however, give us a good grounding for next year, as it shows we do create and do get in positions to score. Now, just to put the actual finishing touches to these moves!
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