Monny's Praise For Gab

Martin O'Neill has praised two goal Fulham hero Gabby Agbonlahor, and stated that he's becoming more confident in front of goal.

Speaking on the Official Site this morning, Monny was full of praise for the striker who took his goal tally into double figures last weekend.

O'Neill took the time to point out that year on year Gabby is showing improvement in not only his goalscoring, but more importantly his overall game. We've all certainly seen the difference his bulking up in the summer has had when he's not finding the target, and whilst many of us have concerns that he seems to be a half a season wonder - you live in hope that his consistency over the course of a full season will show further signs of improvement after his Fulham goals.

'On reflection when you are a bit static in the box and the chance has gone begging, I think he realises just stepping in front of people, he has got the strength to hold them off.'

Gabby has certainly been static in the box at points, at others not even anywhere near the box when a cross has been whipped in but sadly that's an accusation you can throw at our first team strikers full stop.

However, with his increased strength now, he is holding the ball up better, and his first goal against Fulham is proof that when he battles for a ball in the box he is capable of winning it and sticking it in the back of the net.

Maybe it's something he didn't believe he could do before, I don't know, but he should certainly have took plenty of confidence and be looking to repeat it in our coming games.

There are rumours of Owen today, I doubt anything will come of it (he says hoping in vain not to omen an Owen deal), but the need for a penalty box fox will certainly be negated somewhat if Gabby can keep improving, and be consistent over the course of a season.

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