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You're tri-ang too hard

Schools closing because the sun is out. Woke nonsense.

You're on the right track.

Lewis Hornby would be a model target man for the Champ and a move to get in train. Whether he could score at the scale Saints need is another story. I’m sure they’ve gauged his potential.

I know it's the world cup but would be nice to have a few rumours to chew over.

If you are specifically tracking tall, physical target men in the 2. Bundesliga, scouts for English clubs have a few standout profiles to monitor who dominate aerially, hold up play under intense pressure, and provide a strong focal point for the attack. Premier Tall Target Men Targets in the 2. Bundesliga Fraser Hornby (SV Darmstadt 98) Physical Profile: 1.95m (6'5") | 26 years old Performance Insight: Hornby enjoyed a highly productive campaign, netting 11 goals in the 2. Bundesliga. He serves as a prototypical aerial outlet who excels at pinning centre-backs and bringing midfielders into play. English Suitability: He already possesses deep familiarity with the style of play, having come through Everton's academy. His massive frame and understanding of English football make him a plug-and-play option for direct Championship systems. [1, 2] Artem Stepanov (1. FC Nürnberg) Physical Profile: 1.92m (6'4") | 18 years old Performance Insight: Widely regarded as one of the elite teenage target-man prospects in Europe, Stepanov spent time developing on loan at Nürnberg from Bayer Leverkusen before gaining valuable top-flight minutes with FC Utrecht. English Suitability: He is a long-term developmental project for an ambitious English side. His natural height, aggressive pressing, and soft touch for a big man give him an incredibly high ceiling as a modern, high-pressing target forward. [1] Cedric Itten (Fortuna Düsseldorf) Physical Profile: 1.90m (6'3") | 29 years old Performance Insight: A dominant physical force who spearheaded Düsseldorf's attack with 14 league goals, including an impressive 5 headed goals. English Suitability: While on the older side of "young," his robust profile is perfectly suited for immediate impact in England. Having previously won a title with Rangers in the UK, he is entirely accustomed to physical, high-friction defensive battles and is an elite weapon from crossing situations. [1] Target Men Metrics Comparison Player [1, 2, 3, 5] Club Height League Goals Dominant Strength Fraser Hornby Darmstadt 98 1.95m 11 Hold-up play & English homegrown experience Cedric Itten Fortuna Düsseldorf 1.90m 14 Elite aerial execution & back-to-goal combinations Artem Stepanov 1. FC Nürnberg 1.92m Developmental Elite teenage potential & high-intensity pressing For clubs seeking high-volume, elite goalscorers from the 2. Bundesliga who have demonstrated a ruthless edge in front of goal, the standout young targets are Noel Futkeu, Mateusz Żukowski, and Mohamed Ali Zoma. These players have led the division's goalscoring charts through exceptional shot generation, high efficiency, and elite movement inside the penalty box. [1, 2, 3, 4] Top Elite Goalscoring Targets from the 2. Bundesliga [1] Noel Futkeu (SpVgg Greuther Fürth) Goal Volume: 19 goals in 33 appearances. Scouting Profile: The undisputed top scorer of the 2. Bundesliga campaign. Futkeu is a high-volume shooter who ranks among the absolute best in the league for expected goals on target (xGOT) at 16.7. English Suitability: At 23 years old, he is at the perfect age for a major step up. His ability to sustain a high volume of high-quality shots per 90 minutes makes him a premier target for transitional Premier League sides or top-tier Championship clubs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Mateusz Żukowski (1. FC Magdeburg) Goal Volume: 17 goals in just 20 appearances. Scouting Profile: Boasting one of the most lethal conversion rates in German football this season, Żukowski has displayed elite penalty-box instincts and clinical finishing from minimal service. English Suitability: At 24 years old, his physical profile combined with a rapid goalscoring rate makes him highly attractive to English teams requiring an immediate injection of goals without needing heavy developmental time. [1] Mohamed Ali Zoma (1. FC Nürnberg) Goal Volume: 14 goals in 28 appearances. Scouting Profile: Zoma represents one of the most exciting young goalscoring threats in the division. He excels at turning half-chances into high-value opportunities, maintaining high efficiency despite playing for a developing squad. English Suitability: Operating as a fluid second striker or focal centre-forward, his athletic upside and clinical tracking make him an elite long-term asset for forward-thinking English recruitment departments. [1, 3, 4, 5] Younes Ebnoutalib (SV Elversberg) Goal Volume: 12 goals in 17 appearances. Scouting Profile: Though his season was limited to fewer minutes, his underlying scoring efficiency is astronomical, averaging nearly a goal every 100 minutes of action. English Suitability: He represents the ideal data-driven choice for clubs utilizing algorithmic scouting models that prioritize per-90 efficiency over raw seasonal totals. [1] Elite Scorer Metrics Overview Player [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Club Total Goals Apps Goals Per Match Noel Futkeu Greuther Fürth 19 33 0.58 Mateusz Żukowski 1. FC Magdeburg 17 20 0.85 Mohamed Ali Zoma 1. FC Nürnberg 14 28 0.50 Younes Ebnoutalib SV Elversberg 12 17 0.71

The academy is stronger than most others in the division and we’ll likely have one or two come through this year to be around the squad. Thought it would be Sesay last year but turned out to be Bragg. Not sure who is the standout this time round after last few years with clear standouts like Dibling and (to a lesser extent) Robinson. Sillah-Dibaga looked promising but raw and maybe the new guy Tounkara will turn out to be a star?!

Several promising young centre-forwards in the 2. Bundesliga are attracting attention from English clubs, led by breakout star Noel Futkeu, clinical forward Younes Ebnoutalib, and Nürnberg's prolific Mohamed Ali Zoma. The German second division has increasingly become a prime hunting ground for English clubs looking for high-intensity, physically robust, and tactically disciplined goalscorers. [1, 2] Top Young 2. Bundesliga Strikers for English Scouts Noel Futkeu (SpVgg Greuther Fürth) The Profile: The standout striker of the 2. Bundesliga campaign, netting a league-high 19 goals. He is an explosive, direct striker who excels at playing on the shoulder of the last defender and has a very high shot volume. English Target Suitability: His sheer pace, elite movement, and clinical instinct make him an ideal fit for Premier League sides looking for a developmental understudy or ambitious Championship teams seeking a marquee talisman. [1, 2, 3, 4] Younes Ebnoutalib (Eintracht Frankfurt / On Loan) The Profile: A highly efficient forward who leads the division in underlying metrics, including an outstanding 0.75 goals per match and a league-leading expected goals (xG) rating. He recorded 13 goals over the campaign. English Target Suitability: Ebnoutalib is a modern data-analyst's dream. His ability to consistently find high-quality spaces inside the penalty box (averaging nearly 4 touches in the box per match) translates perfectly to possession-dominant English sides. [1, 2] Mohamed Ali Zoma (1. FC Nürnberg) The Profile: A powerful and dynamic young forward who enjoyed a breakout season, registering 14 goals to spearhead Nürnberg's attack. English Target Suitability: Blending physical resilience with sharp technical skill in tight areas, he possesses the raw athleticism needed to withstand the physical demands of English centre-backs. [1] Artem Stepanov (1. FC Nürnberg) The Profile: A towering, traditional number nine profile who entered the season widely tipped as one of the elite teenage talents in German football. English Target Suitability: For clubs seeking an authentic, aerially dominant target man to anchor a pressing or transition-based system, Stepanov offers massive long-term ceiling value. [1, 2] Louey Ben Farhat (Karlsruher SC) The Profile: Operating primarily as a versatile second striker or fluid centre-forward, he is one of the youngest goalscorers in the division and commands a high market evaluation. English Target Suitability: His fluidity allows him to drop deep, link play, and create overloads, making him highly attractive to modern, tactically fluid English managers. [1, 2] Player Performance & Scouting Overview Player [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Club Goals Scored Primary Tactical Trait Noel Futkeu SpVgg Greuther Fürth 19 Direct line running & high shot volume Mohamed Ali Zoma 1. FC Nürnberg 14 Physical hold-up play & box presence Younes Ebnoutalib Eintracht Frankfurt 13 Elite box movement & high xG conversion Louey Ben Farhat Karlsruher SC Breakout Fluid link-up play & creative flair Artem Stepanov 1. FC Nürnberg Developmental Aerial target presence & defensive pressing

France are wanting to get on with this - they look like they have more players on the pitch

Mbappe another great goal.

There was talk of him retiring. His goodbye message said something about looking for a ‘fresh challenge’. Whatever that means. A Scott Carson type role would seem most likely although 36 isn’t too old for a keeper so he may have some interest out there. 3rd choice keeper for a Championship keeper isn’t exactly a lofty ambition, and it’s not like he needs the money, so can’t blame him if he’s looking for more game time or a route into coaching.

Shame he could stay on on really low wages as third choice.maybe to proud or could get better offer.

Former leader of the DUP convicted for child abuse today, behind the other headlines. Used faith to try and cover it up. And I'm looking at those who let him have meetings of "forgiveness" with his victims. Ghastly stuff.

Probably best not to connect a forum absence with watching kids in a playground. Other analogies are available. 🙂

They’ll probably still see more of him than the people of Clacton have seen of Farage. Or I’ll see of my own MP now he’s suspended.

"Where?" - Andy Burnham. 🙂

His positioning was not too bad on this day on 1987, early in his career. Freezing it was with sleet/snow flurries coming down frequently and the wind whistling through

I saw that. He's softening. He'll be a wearing an "I ❤️ Attlee" t-shirt before you know it.

Not been myself but know people who have and it’s bigger than I’d credited it for. Probably a bit more to do than the smaller islands for a week’s holiday but without the hustle and bustle of Crete or Corfu (both of which I have been to). Neat guide here which made me keen to visit it! https://santorinidave.com/naxos

He's very respectful to be fair. The kind who'd do a bit of knitting whilst marching around Portswood rather than lobbing bins.

Hypo joined us socialists today

Nobody seems to at the moment. Everyone left of Reform is a leftie these days, apparently.

Carlson and Norton in particular have been outstanding for them so far.

And doesn’t know the difference between liberals and socialists https://www.libdemvoice.org/liberals-and-socialists-a-response-77304.html

That’s the one. I think 😅 I remember the young Irish lads too. I don’t follow the 21s and 18s enough to know how they’re all getting on and who has the potential to make a breakthrough. I thought we would see more of Sesay this year but he seemed to fall behind Williams and Bragg/had a shift of position. It will be interesting to see if any of them get a look in at preseason- hopefully we get to see more of Oyekunlu (sp?) too. Hopefully Robinson come crack on a bit too after stalling a little. I’ve gone a bit sideways. Tenuous link - an academy gem would be like a new signing?