by MM »
29 Aug 2013 12:07
None of the above.
What we need is the right kind of striker, not just any striker. It's very unlikely we will be able to do that at this stage anyway. ALF is a great finisher, but cannot play alone up there, hence he is largely ineffective through no fault of his own.
Nigel will either have to change the whole philosophy of his attacking formation, or we need a player who can fit the system. Madden and Sharp may have some 'finishing' ability, but are totally not the right type, it will serve less purpose than playing ALF up there on his own. As much as I like Hooper, I don't feel he was the right fit for us either, for the same reason.
Clearly, the likes of Carlton Cole, Jerome etc do not score enough goals. That is all well and good if you have others who will do that, but we do not have that ability and potential in our squad. So it is imperative that this striker can play the role and score the bulk of the goals. Also, should we ever use two strikers, he should be a capable and complimentary partner of ALF. Basically, we need a 'new' Shane Long.
There are few players who can combine all these factors, for a fee that we would pay, whilst we are at this level. We should have had this sorted out more than a month ago, but maybe the right player has not been available. He is even less likely to be available now, in my opinion, unless we accept that the fee is inflated, or we take a gamble 'just to do something'.
Despite the questionable stories about his off-pitch activities, Charlie Austin is exactly the type of forward we needed. But, given everything else attached to him, I was neither surprised or too disappointed that we did not make that signing. There are very few other options that immediately strike you as being obviously the right fit. I'm not suggesting these names as realistic signings for us, but we need a player of similar style and quality to Chris Wood, Yannick N'Djeng or even Leonardo Ulloa/Alfred Finnbogason.
Whilst I have thought this striker signing was our biggest need all summer, this should not mask the fact that we have other issues in other areas of the pitch. I don't give a **** about the COC, and was not at all shocked by a defeat against a very in-form Posh team, but the manner of the defeat, and inability of those promoted to the team to put themselves in contention for a proper start, was shocking and embarrassing. I don't blame NA for that, but he does need to make sure the whole squad is good enough, and ready enough when called upon.
Right now, on paper, I feel we look strong, but the balance of the squad is far from right, not just in this crucial striking role. Hopefully NA will get this right and we can all have an enjoyable season, but I would have preferred us not to be scrapping around for these vital components at this exact stage of the season.
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