Ben House
I might be championing Ben a little too much, just as I did Erik Ring last season, and Dene Cropper in 2002/03, but something tells me Ben House is going to really surprise the Championship. I don’t mean as an out-and-out striker, I can’t see him scoring ten goals next season, but I can see him being absolutely vital in those moments where a game is won by pure and simple desire. Because if there is one quality Ben House has that is Premier League level, it is desire.
I often laud strikers for having skills you can transfer through the divisions, and it never diminishes. Finishing. If you are a good finisher, then you’re a good finisher from the Premier League to the National League. Positioning, speed, work rate and all that determine where you end up, but look at Charlie Austin: he could finish at all levels. Honesty shout (and you’ll laugh), but I think Liam Hearn would have scored goals in the Premier League, because he was a natural finisher.
Ben House is a grafter. He’ll chase, he’ll fight, and he’ll give you energy. I can see him maybe being used later in games, trying to close out draws, trying to press and hassle sides looking to sit on a lead. Maybe he’ll have ten starts and 36 appearances from the bench, but as part of a hard-working squad, I just think he’s going to be a big player who steps up comfortably.
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