Opta soccer jury on Carl Cort

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I won't even try to format this lot!!

Carl Cort is probably one of the few Premiership players that doesn't want the current season to end as, having recently overcome hamstring and groin problems that kept him out for six months of the season, he finds the campaign drawing to a close just as he begins his longest run in Newcastle United's first-team.

The young Londoner may not have had much time to impress since his £7 million switch last summer but has showed glimpses of his ability for the appreciative Geordies to get excited about

His six goals in total make him the club's second-top goal scorer and with two games remaining he has the opportunity to end his first season on Tyneside with the accolade of being the clubs' leading marksman.

. Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 1999-2000) Carl Cort (Newcastle) APPEARANCES Minutes on pitch 2864 918 GOAL ATTEMPTS Goals 9 5 Shots on target 23 20 Shots off target 39 14 Blocked Shots 10 5 PASSING Goal Assists 6 2 Total Passes 1234 387 Pass Completion % 62% 64% CROSSING Total Crosses 60 5 Cross Completion 23% 40% DRIBBLING Dribbles & Runs 121 23 Dribble Completion % 75% 43% DISCIPLINE Fouls 63 15 Offside 35 17 Yellow Cards 2 1 Red Cards 0 0

Cort has certainly been more prolific this season hitting a shot on target every 45 minutes on average compared to waiting over two hours whilst at former club Wimbledon. In 1999-2000 his 24 off-target efforts inside the penalty box were the highest tally by any Premiership player. But Cort could argue that at least he was in the right position to possibly convert any chances that came his way.

Although preferring to be deployed in a central attacking role, Colt can also be used in a wide position. Last term his six goal assists were more than any other Wimbledon player and his total of two set-ups this campaign is commendable considering that Cort has managed to play just a third of his total time on pitch last season.

And the former England Under 21 star has improved his distribution since his move to St James' Park. His passing ratio has marginally increased by two percentage points while his crossing stats have also risen. But he has been more of an out-and-out striker for Newcastle rather than being the provider for John Hartson at Selhurst Park.

However the Magpies deficiencies upfront have seen Bobby Robson embarking on scouting missions across Europe. The club's 41 Premiership goals this season is the fifth-lowest tally in the Premiership and it is an area that the team needs to improve upon if they are to be challenging at the top, rather than mid-table mediocrity.

Hopefully Robson will be able to pair Cort with Alan Shearer next season after the duo were only able to play two full games together due to both suffering long-term injuries.

Maybe then Cort can show the wider footballing world that he made the right decision in joining Newcastle rather than opting for similar mid-table teams such as Leicester and Tottenham.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Answers

I'd say a promising start after the injury problems, but still has to prove his £7 million price tag.

He has never shown in his Wimledon days that he was an injury prone player so hopefully we can rely on him next season, that's if the fitness staff don't put the mockers on him.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001


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