Posted by By Chris Lepkowski, Evening Mail on
BRYAN Robson has challenged Kanu to find his goalscoring touch this season. The Albion manager has been encouraged by the Nigerian during the Algarve tour but believes he will only be judged by the number of goals he scores.
BRYAN Robson has challenged Kanu to find his goalscoring touch this season.
The Albion manager has been encouraged by the Nigerian during the Algarve tour but believes he will only be judged by the number of goals he scores.
Kanu only scored three goals last season in all competitions and Robson has insisted that poor return has to improve.
"I've mentioned it twice to Kanu - at the end of last season and now," said Robson.
"He can provide some great hold-up play, has great ability but I'm after him to score more goals and then he will become a far better asset to us.
"Kanu is honest and, no matter what people say from the outside about his laidback manner, he does care and has pride in his performance and training. It's the style of play he has got.
"But, as a striker, you need to score goals. You can be a great player but if you're not scoring goals then a manager will look for those who can score goals.
"I think Kanu appreciates that. He understands the game and reads the game well - he knows if he adds to that he will become a much better player."
Albion are struggling in their quest to bring in more firepower.
But Robson insists he would be satisfied to start the new season with his current quartet of Kanu, Rob Earnshaw, Geoff Horsfield and Kevin Campbell.
"If I can't bring anyone else in I will still be happy with the four I've got," he added.
"People say we didn't score enough goals last season but we gave far too many away as a unit - once we stopped doing that our forwards started to get their fair share.
"Apart from Earnie they didn't hit double figures but Kevin Campbell only played half the season, while Geoff Horsfield didn't really get a run of games and when he did he gave a reasonable return of goals for the games he started.
"But you have to share your goals about and not just put the onus on the forwards because people do get to know them and it becomes more difficult for forwards to score when that happens.
"You cannot just rely on them. We need a share of goals from the midfield players."