Originally Posted by
Eirambler
It does seem a bit strange alright, but then their pathways have been so different. Parrott came through the youth setup in Ireland up to 16 and would have been very visible to the FAI scouts from a young age. Since going to England he has played over 100 senior games, including a very successful loan spell at MK Dons, as well as some less successful loans. He also had the advantage of coming through Kenny's Under 21 team, which gave him a head start at senior level and he came into the senior squad at a time when we were probably at our weakest in at least 25 years and there were plenty of squad places up for grabs.
Cannon is almost a year younger than Parrott and has played less than 20 senior games. He had no senior profile at all really before this season. He's also English born and developed also, which makes him less visible to us. But he seems to have taken to senior football really well and looks to be outperforming Delap at Preston, which is something given the hype around Delap. He must be in pole position now to be the starting centre forward for the next Under 21 campaign, and you couldn't rule out a senior call up if he delivers for Preston consistently, though it's a much higher bar to get in now than Parrott had to clear a couple of years ago.
Sometimes the most hyped up players don't make the grade and ones that go under the radar end up having the best careers. No idea if that will apply to Cannon or not, but he has made a very strong start in senior football.