“I may not have the skills, but at least I’ve got the hair,” claims the throbber in the latest Belgravia Centre advert. It seems to be the opposite for Miles Storey, who has proved himself as a handy Premiership striker, but inept in how he chooses to arrange what sprouts from his follicles.
A high-blended quiff and stacks of what we can only presume is Brylcreem, evokes memories of the most garish of early-90s chic – similar to that of a once-promising young, English talent.
“Ah call um Grealish,” was the wince-inducing bantz from John Hughes to one reporter in the build-up to an Inverness match last season. Since then both men have moved on from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, leaving the club in its current sorry state.
Storey netted 13 times for Caley, including a run of seven goals in 11 games, which put him on the radar of Derek McInnes. In the short time since moving to Pittodrie, Storey has found himself stationed on the wing a few times, which he doesn’t seem suited to. He did play wide on occasion for Inverness, but this was for the short spell when Hughes was experimenting with a strikerless formation.
For the most part he was used as the lone striker and his running in behind the opposition defence was perfectly suited to the way his side often played – short, sharp passing through midfield before looking for the killer pass. In fact, of their 38 league goals from open play last season, just five were assisted through high crosses. By contrast, ten were assisted by through balls and another 10 from short passes.
Similarly, of Storey’s 10 league goals, seven were assisted by either a through ball or a short pass, another two from low crosses. He may possess pace and a can find space instinctively, but his strength lies in deploying these on the shoulder of the last defender, as opposed to from a wide position.
Of course, McInnes has had injuries and a tough, early-season fixture schedule to contend with and, after a few new arrivals – especially in attacking areas – is still trying to settle upon a first XI. For Saturday’s match, Storey found himself starting through the middle and scored a trademark goal.
It may have been fortuitous, reliant on the dilly-dallying of Liam Lindsay, but by the time Graeme Shinnie’s pressing forced the error on the edge of the Thistle box, Storey was already waiting to pounce, like a famished lion just before he takes his game.
Aberdeen have based their play in recent seasons on strong wing play through the, at times, unstoppable duo of Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes. It is not necessarily Storey’s style to be getting on the end of their offerings like Adam Rooney does, though nor is it his game to be out there putting the ball into the middle himself.
Through the middle, having a player like Storey in the squad gives McInnes a different attacking option, especially when he seems intent on going with two strikers in certain matches. Aberdeen were heavily reliant on goals from wide areas last season, Storey’s presence in attack will provide an alternative, making them less predictable to opposition defences.
Early evidence suggests, though, that McInnes should leave the work on the wings to others better suited to it. Perhaps Storey would be better concentrating on doing something with his own wings instead.
Written by Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001)