Big Bird Ben keep on flapping!

Lest we forget Burgess was signed in the summer of 2006 for £100,000 from Hull City – a hefty price tag indeed. It’s taken a while, but are we finally starting to see the ‘real’ Ben Burgess?

Burgess, quite frankly, had a torrid season last time out. While Pool were galavanting to Wembley glory, Burgess was sat in the stands watching on.

But when Burgess was fit and in the team he did show glimpses of potential. He scored two good goals in March at Gillingham and at home to Bournemouth. However, he could only muster one other goal all season – coming in the third round FA Cup win against Aldershot. And even that was a penalty!

So what’s changed since last year? Well, as many fans will testify, Ben has shed a few pounds over the summer and came back looking leaner, fitter and more determined than ever to win over the Pool faithful. He scored Pool’s first goal at home this season in the league cup win over Huddersfield and followed that up with a last minute winner against Hull in the league at Bloomers. Burgess also netted against Sheff Utd and of course scored that priceless winner at the weekend.

It was a gamble by Simon Grayson to bring Ben straight back into the team after a lengthy lay – off due to an injury sustained against Colchester in September. But the gamble certainly payed off!

I believe Burgess is more than just a target man. He holds the ball well and can pick a pass. His heading in the box this year has been a joy to behold – just think of his goals against Hull, Sheff Utd and QPR. He is a great foil, arguably, for any of Pool’s other four strikers’ too.

So, yes I do beleive that Burgess, providing he stays injury free, could be the man to notch 15 plus goals this season to see us stay up.

In the meantime, apparently Ben is lining up a new celebration if he scores at Scunny on Monday infront of the TV cameras. Let’s hope we get to see it a couple of times then!