HULL CITY: Josh King can reign in attack after joining from Man Utd
HULL City boss Nick Barmby is tipping new boy Josh King to follow in the footsteps of Fraizer Campbell and emerge as a star at the KC Stadium.
King completed a protracted move from Manchester United over the weekend with a loan until the end of the season to bolster the Tigers' attacking ranks.
-
Josh King at the KC Stadium on Saturday. He has joined Hull City on loan from Manchester United
The 19-year-old striker joins a growing list of youngsters to make the switch from Old Trafford and Barmby has drawn comparisons with former loan signing Campbell, whose 15 goals helped fire City to promotion through the Championship play-offs in 2008.
"It's a very similar situation to when we brought Fraizer Campbell here," Barmby told the Mail.
"Fraizer came in as an unknown quantity but players can make a name for themselves here and use the loan as a platform.
"We're delighted to get Josh in. I first saw him play two or three years ago and I've kept tabs on him ever since.
"He's an exciting player. Josh will fit into the way we play and it's a great chance for him."
King watched City's 1-0 win over Peterborough from the stands after he finally received international clearance to make his switch to the KC on Saturday morning.
The Norwegian spent the first half of the season on loan at German side Borussia Monchengladbach but that spell was cut short due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
King will hope to make more of an impact with City and despite a lack of match sharpness, the teenager will be pushing to be involved at Reading this weekend.
"We'll get him up to speed first," added Barmby.
"That might take a little bit of time to bed him in because he hasn't played for a while because of the German winter break but he's looking good.
"He trained with Man United last week doing fitness tests but he gives us another option. He's very skilful, quick and really good with the ball.
"He can play on the left of a three, the number nine or on the right of three. That gives us great options."
King is the third new face to arrive at the KC on loan this month, joining keepers Vito Mannone and Trevor Carson.
Carson, who joined on a month's loan from Sunderland on Friday, was an unused substitute in the win over Peterborough and will challenge Mannone for the number one spot.
Carson was given glowing references by former City goalkeeping coaches Mark Prudhoe and Seamus McDonagh, who are now both part of Martin O'Neill's staff.
"I spoke with Pruds and Seamus about him because we've got a relationship with Sunderland and they've been raving over him," said Barmby.
"He's come in and been a breath of fresh air. We're well pleased to have him and now we've got two goalkeepers who are vying for that number one position. That's what we've always wanted."
City will today check on a dead leg suffered by match-winner Robert Koren on Saturday but expect the influential Slovenian to be fit to face Reading this weekend.
Barmby also confirmed Kevin Kilbane has undergone surgery on a long-standing back injury but maintained the versatile veteran could still play a part in City's season.
44 Comments
View all
by SikDobbin_Sad
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 6:26PM
“French A*sole--Show me the signings the Allems have made !!!!!!!!!”
by French_Tickle
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 12:44PM
“Sick Dobbin....get back to egg chasing plz. your posts are drivel and have no substance. so what if humberside said what they said last night ? do you seriously beleave it ? only when the window has closed can you even think of posting such things. then on the 7th feb the emergency loan window opens again. Nick knows what he is doing and far better than you do.
hope this helps. as for Nicks arm ? well that has move savvy than your head mate. END OF.”
by costatiger
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:46PM
“Beckford hat trick knocks out Forest. For all fans who keep stating that we need a goalscorer,here is a perfect example of the problems facing a manager.It was common knowledge that Nigel Pearson was,nt happy with Beckford and his approach for Billy Sharpe was the prelude to him being shipped out with a fee of around 2.5 needed to get him.His goal tally for Leicester of two in eighteen games would have you all calling for him to be dropped if he was with us and accusing Nick Barmby of wasting the Allams money,but i know when his head is right,he is a big danger in this division,so was it a master stroke by Pearson in bidding for Sharpe in order to get at Beckford? If so,credit where credit is due and every manager has his own methods of working with players,so let Nick Barmby get on with doing things his way and time will be the judge on his decisions.”
by JetmansDad
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 8:00PM
“The Allams have stated, publicly, that there is money available to the manager to bring in a striker if he wants to. Why assume that the reason we haven't is because they have reneged on that, within a week of Barmby agreeing to take the job on a permanent basis. Isn't it more likely that NB just hasn't seen anyone around that might be available at a reasonable price who offers more than he feels he already has available in the squad?
I have (for the first time in my left) a little money in the bank. I could easily go out and buy a decent replacement for the 15 year old car that I drive, but I haven't. Why? Because I haven't seen anything in the price range that offers me anything I don't get from the car I already own. There is no point me doing it just for the sake of doing it.
If City fail to stay in the top 6 due to a lack of goals, then that would be unfortunate, but everything coming out of the club points to NB leaping in to buy a striker because he doesn't think we need one, not because the money isn't there. That may be a mistake, or just a little naive. Time will tell.
Or it may be that the addition of Josh King and otherwise leaving well alone turns out to be a stroke of genius.”
by kennykeegan
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 6:57PM
“Sickdobbin, that's several times you've made the same point & still ***oby agrees with you.”
by DobbinSic_Sad
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 5:30PM
“Just heard on Humberside that there will be no further signings for City,so French Tickle,the only thing Nick has up his sleeve is his arm.
The Allems have let us down badly by not giving NB the money for transfers that they promised and this shows that they have lost interest.”
by ONTHEMONEY48
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 2:19PM
“Hull City A.F.C. Are my team.! Since the old glory days of Waggy. I read this colomn daily very entertaining!!! I have vested intrests too. So in my humble oppinion,
BE HAPPY AND PRAY WE CAN HOLD ON TO THE LADS WE HAVE
ie. They may be loanees,But by playing together till the summer at least , can be better than spending ,on players that may go of the boil ,or have an over inflated ego”
by SikSikDobbin_
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 12:45PM
“Where's the millions the Allems promised us for the January window ??
All we've got is another two loanees,they haven't spent a penny and they rarely go to the matches these days,I think they've lost interest.”
by Jack_Russell2
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 12:14PM
“Watching Josh on Youtube,he certainly has pace and good footwork - reminds me of Carlton Cole at West Ham. Once he settles in with his team mates,I think we could be in for a treat..”
by French_Tickle
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 10:54AM
“It would not surprise me that Nick has something up his sleeve before the 1st Feb. Fans will just have to wait and see what happens.”