Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley confident he can 'unearth' Leicester loanee George Hirst's goalscoring potential after Rotherham pain

Danny Cowley believes he can be the manager to unlock George Hirst’s goalscoring power.
Pompey newcomer George Hirst gets off a shot during his first-half outing against Bournemouth under-21s on Tuesday. Picture: Colin FarmeryPompey newcomer George Hirst gets off a shot during his first-half outing against Bournemouth under-21s on Tuesday. Picture: Colin Farmery
Pompey newcomer George Hirst gets off a shot during his first-half outing against Bournemouth under-21s on Tuesday. Picture: Colin Farmery

Pompey’s new loanee arrives at Fratton Park having failed to score in 32 appearances at Rotherham last term.

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Still, the 22-year-old has yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League and Football League.

Regardless, Cowley has high hopes for the 6ft 3in centre-forward, who will be challenged to lead the Blues’ attack.

And he is convinced he can help Hirst fire.

Pompey’s head coach told The News: ‘George is a talented boy, he’s athletic, you play into him, you play up to him, he loves the balls down the sides.

‘He can really stretch the pitch for you and is a good finisher, with a lovely right foot – yet it hasn’t quite happened for him yet.

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‘Sometimes for us and where we are at, we must try to find that player that it hasn’t quite happened for.

‘You have to work out the reasons why he had a frustrating time last year at Rotherham.

‘We think we may know the reasons why – and we think we can help him with his progression and development.

‘We’re thankful to Leicester for trusting us with George and look forward to working with him.

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‘Sometimes you have to find these players where it hasn’t quite happened for them. You know they have potential and it’s for us to unearth that.

‘We know George is going to be a good player, we’ve just got to try to create the right pathway for him. That’s the aim.’

Hirst has netted four times in seven EFL Trophy appearances for Leicester under-21s, while was also on the scoresheet during a season with Belgian second division side OH Leuven.

Now he’s at Fratton Park to provide goal-scoring competition for John Marquis, Ellis Harrison and Gassan Ahadme.

He added: ‘He’s a nine, probably a nine-and-a-half.

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‘He’s got good all-round quality, he presses the ball very, very aggressively, has a real energy and intensity, and also carries a goal threat for us.

‘George gives us some more options, which is always what you want because we are a particularly small squad and need competition for places.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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