| JACK HOBBS PROFILE
by Dave Usher
Date of Birth - 18/8/88
Nationality - English
Position - Centre Back
Squad Number -
Cost - Undisclosed
Club Hons (Lpool) - 2006 FA Youth Cup
Intnl Hons - None
Other Clubs - Lincoln, Scunthorpe (loan), Leicester (loan) |
Highly rated teenage centre back signed as a 16 year old from Lincoln City. Hobbs had looked all set to join Arsenal, but the deal stalled over a dispute over a sell on clause, and Rafa Benitez stepped in to bring the talented Hobbs to Anfield.
Jack spent his entire first season at reserve level playing in an unaccustomed midfield role, as Paco Herrera wanted him to improve on his passing and ball control. He did a steady job in there, but when he was called into the squad for the FA Youth Cup he reverted back to centre half. He was a revelation alongside Godwin Antwi, as the young reds went on to lift the trophy.
Hobbs' finest hour during the youth cup run came in the 2nd leg of the final, when the reds found themselves under the cosh for 90 minutes as they protected a 3-0 1st leg lead. City poured men forward and pulled two goals back, but they couldn't get the equaliser as Hobbs and Antwi performed heroically.
Jack's reward was a call up to the 1st team squad for their pre-season training camp in Switzerland. He was given plenty of playing time during pre-season, but the results were mixed. In one game he was directly responsible for three goals, and was in tears at full time. He was consoled by senior players such as Bellamy and Fowler, and Benitez showed his faith in the youngster by playing him for the entire ninety minutes of the reds' next friendly. Jack was excellent that night, showing a lot of character to bounce back from the torrid time he had in the previous game.
A foot injury meant he missed most of the reserve games in the first part of the 2006/07 season, but he returned to fitness to make his second string comeback as a half time substitute away at Manchester United, where he excelled in a holding midfield role.
Jack played out the remainder of the season in his natural position of centre back, and turned in a number of eye catching performances. Often he partnered the more experienced Gabriel Paletta, but he always outshone the Argentine and looked the more promising player.
His reward for his fine form was a place in the senior squad for the pre-season training camp in Switzerland, but most of his appearances in pre-season were in midfield. He acquitted himself well though, and looked a much more accomplished player than he did a year ago. Jack featured in several first team games in 2007/08, and didn't let anyone down.
The arrival of Martin Skrtel pushed him further down the pecking order however, and he joined Scunthorpe on loan for the second half of the season. After an encouraging start, things didn't go so well for Jack as he picked up an injury, and was ten shipped ot to right back before losing his place altogether.
He began 2008/09 doing pre-season training with the first team squad, before he joined League One outfit Leicester City on loan for the season.
Video Clips of Jack Hobbs in action
