Aaron Mclean says Nick Proschwitz challenge can fire up Hull City
AARON Mclean has welcomed the arrival of new striker Nick Proschwitz, saying a heightened competition for places can reinvigorate Hull City's attack.
Manager Steve Bruce hopes to have addressed a long-standing frailty in the Tigers' make-up after shelling out £2.6m to sign Proschwitz from German side SC Paderborn.
-
Aaron Mclean in action for Hull City at Grimsby
Proschwitz finished as joint top scorer in the German second tier last season and his arrival at the KC Stadium will ramp up the pressure on Mclean, Matty Fryatt and Jay Simpson.
However, Mclean insists he is pleased to see Proschwitz adding a new dimension to City's attack and believes the competition can benefit all of Bruce's forwards.
A full head colour or 1/2 head highlights, luxury Redken treatment, cut & blowdry for JUST £40 (Save £25) or upgrade to a full head of highlights for JUST £50 (Save £35). Add a spray tan for JUST £10.
Terms: New customers only (not visited salon since 25/02/2013). Monday - Thursday only. Savings based on directors rates.
Contact: 01482 423178
Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013
"When a new manager comes in, he's always going to bring in new ideas and look to freshen things up," said Mclean, who was part of a forward line that bagged just 47 goals last term.
"I don't think it's a surprise that he's brought in a new striker, but it's important to have good competition for places across the squad.
"I'm sure whoever gets the nod when the season starts will do a good job for the side.
"Nick's a good lad who's come in and settled straight away. You can see in training that he's got good feet and he knows where the goal is. He'll definitely be a good acquisition."
Despite featuring in 39 of City's 46 Championship fixtures in 2011-12, Mclean faces a battle to pin down a place in the Tigers' season opener against Brighton.
A below-par return of six goals last season – including just one in his last 17 fixtures – was a source of disappointment for Mclean, even when allowing for much of his campaign being spent in wide positions.
The imminent arrival of Sone Aluko from Rangers and a bright start to pre-season from Simpson will give Bruce a further headache, but Mclean says that he, Proschwitz, Fryatt and Simpson all have their own merits.
"We're all totally different strikers," he added.
"The four of us all bring something different and whoever you're playing alongside, you need to slightly alter your role.
"I'm the type of striker that likes to get in behind on the shoulder, whereas as Jay and Matty like to come and link up play more.
"We're yet to see what type of player Nick is yet, but he looks as though he can do both."
Mclean enjoyed a brief look at Proschwitz on Friday night as the Tigers were held to a 0-0 draw at Grimsby Town.
The German emerged as a late substitute at Blundell Park and, fitness permitting, could enjoy a greater role when City travel to Rochdale this weekend.
Mclean is well aware he cannot afford to waste any opportunities to catch the eye of Bruce and hopes he can do enough to win a place in the new manager's plans.
"It's important for everyone to try and impress him in every game and in training," he said.
"Every game is a chance to do your best to impress the manager. It was my first 90 minutes of pre-season on Friday so by the end of the game I was obviously blowing a little bit.
"But I feel as though I'm getting there and with each game we'll get sharper."
Comments
by GeoDriff
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 8:44AM
“At best he is a squad player on last seasons performances.
He might be articulate and can run his little legs off which so many of you admire, but that's no good if it produces nowt. We desperately need players to hit the net - surely we all agree on that ?. If he's unlucky and always hits the woodwork, then get me someone who is lucky. As Napoleon said, "Good generals are 2 a penny (franc ?) - give me one that is lucky."
And that's why French football is great ! All down to Napoleon !
If Sir SB and Bertshin, etc look at him and want to keep him for pure footballing reasons, then that's OK by me provided they can get him to move up a gear. That's what they are paid to do and they will do it well, particularly at this level.”
by 200MileTrip
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 11:36PM
“OK....here's one for you all.
Thorgan Hazard, Eden Hazard's 19 yr old bro joined Chelsea today. Chelsea want to loan him out...Brucie's an experienced manager. I say we get him in on loan.
He's an attacking winger/midfielder and has scores 10 in 23 for Belgium Under 19's. If he is anywhere nr as good as bigger bro and Chelsea think he is good enough to sign.........we should look at getting him in.
SB I know you are probably are already but .....get on it!”
by 200MileTrip
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 11:18PM
“@steveinwork I actually agree with you about the Mclean......strikers are there to score goals.......I don't want strikers at the club cos of what they did at Hayes or Peterborough or because they used to be good!!!!!....I want STRIKERS in the Tigers shirt cos they are dangerous and look like they are going to score every time they play.
Yes his workrate is ver, very good but that's not good enough as a Striker I'm afraid. Let's face it, if he's have had a poor workrate and shown a little less heart, we would have probably got rid of him by now and cut our losses.
Change is wonderful thing (its been proven in the last five weeks) .....and if we can bring in more quality players like Aluko and Proschowitz, soon there really will be no need to have a likeable, hardworking character like McLean who (let's be honest now).....CAN'T HIT A BARN DOOR MOST OF THE TIME .....and time and time again ****s the bed when in a really good position!
However...... having said that, like everyone else in here, I do (for some strange reason) have a soft spot for him.......so, (drum-roll) I'm prepared to give him one last shot at being half decent.”
by VoiceNreason
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 6:47PM
“What happened last season is in the past. It what Mclean and co. do from August 11th that counts the most now.”
by DavidMExpat
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 1:01PM
“See that giant defender behind McClean? No wonder we dont score many goals!”
by steveinwork
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 12:54PM
“removals / plonmk
please define striker - no , i will for you .
"""Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. This very advanced position and its limited defensive responsibilities mean forwards normally score more goals than other players; accordingly, they are often among the best-known and most expensive players in their teams. This is one of modern football's most demanding positions; it requires intelligence and speed, both of execution and of thought, to perform the role well.
"""
I rest my case , plonker.”
by Removal Man Hull - Local & Nationwide Removals & Storage
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 9:57AM
“your post states that he's not a stiker, this instates at any level. I think you'll find your'e the plonk!”
by steveinwork
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 9:53AM
“by Removals Hull - Local & Nationwide Removals & Storage
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 8:35AM
Course he's a striker you ninny, """""""he was awesome in the division below"""""""". Striker , dont make me laugh.
.......
Wot a plonker , exactly what i have been saying , IN THE DIVISION BELOW . We are not in the division below and he's **** in the division we are in .Remove yourself from this article plonk.
Like i say , i hope he is not here next season.”
by Removal Man Hull - Local & Nationwide Removals & Storage
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 8:35AM
“steveinwork
Course he's a striker you ninny, he was awesome in the division below. The whole team struggled for goals last year. maybe with better service from aluko and the mother new winger we will see a different McLean off the bench.”
by VoiceNreason
Monday, July 23 2012, 5:43PM
“Wise words Aaron Mclean. Agree that all 4 strikers so far have something different. We lacked game changers off the bench last season but thats something Stebe Bruce is looking to address.”