Can a Viking save our season?

There can be little doubt about it, but in the first few games this season Barnsley FC have certainly lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. So is it any surprise that Flicker has now turned his attention to a Viking in the hope that he will maraud his way into the opposition's box, get the goals and pillage the points to bring some momentum to our season?

At just 23 years of age, there may be fans amongst us who will question whether Marcus Pedersen has the pedigree or experience to have a successful crack at the English Championship. Others may doubt that he can comfortably carry the weight of expectation that will rest on his shoulders when goals will be demanded, not patient development. Looking at a CV that includes the likes of HamKam, Strømsgodset, Vitesse and recent loans to Vålerenga and Odense, ask the man on the street how the Scandanavian leagues compare to the Football League and their response might tally to having equal substance to a mid-table League One, but in reality is that really the case?

In his defence, he has already picked up international caps for Norway at every level of his development, including two senior caps. He can count on tournament with Norway in the recent Under 21 European Championships, which included an appearance in the 3-1 elimination of England.

It's often the case that some supporters will jump to their conclusions before Pedersen steps over the white line to represent the Super Reds. However, I'm going to be the optimist and leave you with this thought for the day. It took Alan Shearer 118 games to pick up his first English cap, having scored 23 senior goals. Maybe he wasn't the finest striker to grace the game, but he would have been a god at Oakwell. Pederson has bagged 32 senior goals in just 91 games by comparison and has two full caps.

 

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