Hi guys, City fan here.
Just thought i'd give you the low down on Hanson from having watched nearly every game he has played for the past 8/9 years.
Firstly i'm gutted, i'm a massive fan. He divides opinion but if i'm honest the 'fans' that criticise him really never look at the bigger picture. He's a 10-15 goal a season striker but he's so much more than that.
He wins virtually every thing in the air even against the tallest CB. Just to let you know when we played Millwall a couple of years ago he gave Beavers a torrid time which resulted in Beavers getting sent off.
If you do direct (which is allowed despite what some fans think!) he's win nearly every flick on.
He often occupies 2/3 defenders thus creating space for others. When we had Nahki Wells they were dynamite together and in in truth we have never got close to replacing Wells. You have Sharpe who's the best forward in the division imo and is an intelligent footballer so i can see them working really well together as Sharpe is so much better than we've put next to Hanson for years.
Another thing that is underrated he defends opposition set pieces & corners better than anyone else. Millwall nearly scored for 4/5 corners on Saturday and they wouldn't have done had JH been playing.
He's also got a better touch than people give him credit for and doesn't give the ball away very often. He's not a natural finisher but you have one of them so that shouldn't be a big deal.
The only positive for us is the support is so divided on him it's begin to get uncomfortable and it stops that. And the lack of respect some by some of our fans has been embarrassing based on his contribution over the years.
Some of the goals he's scored have given me some of my favourite moments supporting Bradford City over the past 30 years.
I'm delighted for the lad, he's a good bloke and he's going to playing for the best team in the division and i fully expect him to be playing in The Championship with you guys next season.
I'm sure he'll divide some of your support but for the ones that look at the bigger picture i'd be really surprised if he's not a big success.
I fully expect you lot to go up as Champions as you are the best team i've watched this season so good luck in all but one fixture towards the end of the season!!
City Neil.