So what's the problem NC ?

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Do we really need another striker that desperately? If McNulty turns out as good as Scoogs then he'll be our 20 goals a season striker. Baxter is looking a lot fitter and quicker after a Clough preseason so could get 15-20, Diego is also looking good and like he could be pushing for a first team place as well as goals from midfield and defence....oh and Porter getting 10 in the last 5 minutes off the bench.
I'd of thought our priority would be keeping Maguire to ensure we only need 1 or 2 goals a game to win rather than a striker who will have to score 6 a game with the Butler-Collins partnership for us to win a game.
 

Brayford's no where near as big a loss as some are making out, he was good but has managed to become one of our most overrated players by becoming a demi-god figure in many people's eyes. Maguire and Coady would be much bigger losses respectively.

As far as a strikers concerned we're clearly after one and it's just a matter of waiting, although like some others I don't think it'd be the end of the world to not have one in for early games. Baxter's got 13 in a season before for a lesser side, McNulty may well come off and Murphy and Flynn I fancy to score a few more this season. A striker would be a very nice addition but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we didn't get one.
 
I am confident we can make a flying start to this season even if no further signing were to be made until the loan window. The last time we got promoted I think our top scorer had something like 13. Germany just won the world cup with 1 (36 year old) striker in the squad. Spain did something similar in the Euros 2 years ago.
Our midfield is as exciting as I can remember, excellent, technically gifted players all with goals in them and all with the ability to interchange positions. At least 1 of the full backs will be attacking, and all of the senior CBs are a threat at set pieces. There are now 2 free-kick specialists at the club and, lest we forget, Clough HAS also signed a striker. Unproven at this level, agreed, but Clough has done enough in the eyes of this Blade to earn total trust on such matters.
With the emergence of Diego and Ched (whatever people think of it) on the horizon, a full pre-season of training under NC (and don't underestimate the rewards THAT will bring), I would argue that the attacking threat of the club has been addressed to a good degree.
We have the loan wndow to fall back on should NC's judgement prove to be spectacularly wrong.
 
It's been said before the investment in League One won't be the Prince ploughing daft monies into transfer fees, etc. They want a stable platform to build on where everyone is pulling in the same direction and we're not just throwing money at the situation and hoping some of it sticks to something good. Something we've needed to happen for a long, long time.

Sir Nigel of Clough would never have joined us if he couldn't have had the job the way it is for him now. This would never have happened without the investment.When can anyone remember us turning down more than a single bid for ANY player EVER? We are in a situation where we don't have to sell, and we are under no pressure to do so if it isn't right for the club. The club are bound by the financial regulations which mean even if they wanted to go slashing the cash they can't go crazy anyway.

How many pre-seasons can anyone remember where we actually brought players in to strengthen areas of the team that desperately needed it instead of just shipping people out for measly sums? So what if they have been mostly freebies - they're players for the most part who have been playing higher standard of football or were first choice (or captains) of their respective teams last year.

Clough has said in pretty much every interview in the last few weeks that they are looking at a list of striking options but that this is the position they have to be most patient about - and we know goalscorers are likely to be the most expensive component to the team. Would you rather spunk money on some 'name', or start the season with the striking options we ended last season with? Sure, we need a proven, 20-goal-a-season type - but it's not desperate. Not yet anyway!
 
I'm a huge (OK then, slightly below average) Coady fan. I would have him back tomorrow (well, 9th August really) but we really need to consider a fit and ready James Wallace before dismissing our midfield so readily, don't we?

As for proof of investment, is the new pitch going to lay itself, parts and labour free?

We'll get a striker. We do have the resources. Any doubts on that point will be put to rest over the next 18 months.
 
For everyone worrying about us not signing a striker, let me remind you what happens when you panic buy up front:

_62256722_62256721.jpg

Exhibit 1: Barry Hayles. 4 appearances, 0 goals.

geoffhorsfield_621796.jpg

Exhibit 2: Geoff Horsfield. £1.2m, 3 appearances, 1 goal (away at League 2 MK Dons)

13388-lsh.jpg

Exhibit 3: Laurens Ten Heuvel. 10 appearances, 0 goals
 
davidpinder said:
I think the 2011/12 proved you NEED a 20 goal a season man look at the top 4 that season.

Charlton BWP 22 goals
Pigs Washing machine 18 goals
Blades Ch%d 29 goals
Udders Rhodes 36 goals

Top 2 went up and 3rd and 4th contested the playoff final. I really can not see where our goals are coming from. We can not risk unproven strikers plus Porter and Baxter chipping in. Personally i would take one good goalscorer even if it meant no more signings.
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If we can get a striker who can give us 15 goals with the others chipping in I think we'll be OK. I suspect NC is looking a loan striker now COG has gone to Brighton

One of the top scorers in the league last season was 34 year old Ryan Lowe with 17 goals....his team got relegated. Have we missed a trick by letting Bury sign him ? :D
 
Balham Blade said:
For everyone worrying about us not signing a striker, let me remind you what happens when you panic buy up front:

_62256722_62256721.jpg

Exhibit 1: Barry Hayles. 4 appearances, 0 goals.

geoffhorsfield_621796.jpg

Exhibit 2: Geoff Horsfield. £1.2m, 3 appearances, 1 goal (away at League 2 MK Dons)

13388-lsh.jpg

Exhibit 3: Laurens Ten Heuvel. 10 appearances, 0 goals
Click to expand...
Bit harsh on Horsfield. never given a chance under Warnock after the fall out at Coventry. Was the ideal replacement for Hulse the following season but NW didn't insist on a recall clause in his loan deal at Leeds
 
You could be half forgiven for thinking that the deal for the new striker has been completed, however for whatever reason can't be announced. All these links with COG etc; just look like a red herring to me.

We also have to remember that Nige and the club won't be breaking any wage structures in place to bring anyone in.

Like others have also mentioned, let us not forget McNuts, who Nigel tried to sign for a championship team last season and who I believe scored 20ish goals last season. If this guy bangs in a couple on Friday night then we could already have our man. Brayford and Coady are also just as important as the 1st 11 is still short of some quality. I think I would produce some man wee for a midfield of Murphy Wallace/Basham Coady Scougs and Flynn and a mixture of Jose. These guys just need some game time together.

It's very frustrating but every team is going through this.

EDIT - I would also take Brayford and Coady over a striker and go with who we had up top, rather than pick up a random striker.
 
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Im not sure if Clough is looking for a sterotype front man.

Clough likes to get the ball down play football {thank god} he will get his man thats for sure
 
Lane Ender said:
Im not sure if Clough is looking for a sterotype front man.

Clough likes to get the ball down play football {thank god} he will get his man thats for sure
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Give this kid a trial - Petros Skapetis

Not be a pussy if he's an Aussie

Contract status: Out of Contract
  • Nationality: Australian
    Australian.ashx
  • Height: cm
  • Club: Queens Park Rangers FC
    QPR.ashx
  • DOB: 13/01/1995
DOMESTIC CAREER
SeasonClubDivisionManagerAppsGlsStartsFullSub-onSub-off
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2013/2014Queens Park RangersChampionshipHarry Redknapp00000000
2013/2014Queens Park Rangers U21Professional Development League Two SouthUnknown92435101
2013/2014Stoke City U21Professional Development League One (U21)Glynn Hodges20210100
2012/2013Queens Park RangersPremier LeagueHarry Redknapp00000000
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INTERNATIONAL CAREER
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Balham Blade said:
For everyone worrying about us not signing a striker, let me remind you what happens when you panic buy up front:

_62256722_62256721.jpg

Exhibit 1: Barry Hayles. 4 appearances, 0 goals.

geoffhorsfield_621796.jpg

Exhibit 2: Geoff Horsfield. £1.2m, 3 appearances, 1 goal (away at League 2 MK Dons)

13388-lsh.jpg

Exhibit 3: Laurens Ten Heuvel. 10 appearances, 0 goals
Click to expand...
Geoff Horsfield's goals to games ratio is quite good at 1 in 3. Some would be happy with that! But you are correct panic buying gets teams nowhere especially us!
 
Judging on last season I would say NC isn't just looking for a permanent big lad up front,although there were times when Porter, our top scorer don't forget, showed there is a need for one.
The way we play I would say he's mainly looking for what we were lacking last season,that fox in the box that we all hoped Miller would be when fit, a Keith Edwards / Peschisolido type of player, in fact a good old fashioned chocolate liner .
I think NC wanted Baxter to be that player last season and is still hoping a slimmed down version will come good this , but I doubt he's the type, he thinks too much, like a midfield player.
You can't make that kind of player their just born that way, they act first and think later...
 
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david-carney-sheffield-united_2353060.jpg
[/QUOTE]

Think his Great Great Granddad was ships crew who stayed not part of the shipment :)
 
alcoblade said:
I think most would agree that 3 really instrumental players in that run were McGuire, Coady and Brayford. It's likely that none of those will be here next years, and the replacements won't be anything like as good.

UTB
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I would like to add Murphy to that and we still have him, and he can play striker.
 
finlaytheblade said:
what an apathetic lot we have on here hav"nt kicked a ball in anger and written off by some already.
even if we dont sign a striker or two before the big kick( and i like you lot know we need at least one)
cloughie had made us very dificult to beat and that is where we start this season he has added quality
and strength in most areas just upfront where HE KNOWS were short its obviouse he"s working on this
and will get who he wants.
in the meantime we will still be just as hard to beat but with added quality in most areas.ime sure
what cloughie built last season will give us a platform to go from.
LETS HAVE SOME PATIENCE AND BELEAVE IN WHAT HE IS TRYING TO BUILD
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If you're highlighting lazy thought processes, look at your own post.

Point us to a member who's written us off next season? I suggest you won't find any, but stand to be corrected.

This "trust the manager" nonsense is as irritating to some as you clearly find any slight questioning of our current squad's abilities.

UTB
 
sheffielder said:
EDIT - I would also take Brayford and Coady over a striker and go with who we had up top, rather than pick up a random striker.
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Not for me. I think last season's line up would be found out if we continued with endlessly with that style. And I think Clough knows this. They've already been sacrificed as part of the striker fund, I suspect.

UTB
 
alcoblade said:
If you're highlighting lazy thought processes, look at your own post.

Point us to a member who's written us off next season? I suggest you won't find any, but stand to be corrected.

This "trust the manager" nonsense is as irritating to some as you clearly find any slight questioning of our current squad's abilities.

UTB
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"Trust the Manager" is a valid point of view (unless we're talking about managers such as the former semi-professional, non-league, reserve goalkeeper, of course) but not a reason to stifle debate or silence other views. I do think its legitimate to suggest that Clough is a shrewd cookie (ugh!) who is entirely aware of our need for a striker or two and has concrete plans to recruit the same but those plans can't come to fruition just yet (fruity concrete - what a mixed metaphor! Not doing too well tonight, am I?)

For what it's worth, and based on listening carefully to his interviews [there are clues in there] I think NC's priority is a leader of the line (a rather more refined version of a "target man" if you will).

Will you [publicly] get your knackers out if we get an established striker and The Beard as well? I'll do it for striker, Coady and Beard but only under cover of darkness.
 
Pinchy said:
"Trust the Manager" is a valid point of view (unless we're talking about managers such as the former semi-professional, non-league, reserve goalkeeper, of course) but not a reason to stifle debate or silence other views. I do think its legitimate to suggest that Clough is a shrewd cookie (ugh!) who is entirely aware of our need for a striker or two and has concrete plans to recruit the same but those plans can't come to fruition just yet (fruity concrete - what a mixed metaphor! Not doing too well tonight, am I?)

For what it's worth, and based on listening carefully to his interviews [there are clues in there] I think NC's priority is a leader of the line (a rather more refined version of a "target man" if you will).

Will you [publicly] get your knackers out if we get an established striker and The Beard as well? I'll do it for striker, Coady and Beard but only under cover of darkness.
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If we sign a top striker, the beard and Coady, you'd better avoid the town hall steps, because at that point "any hole's a goal"

:)

UTB
 
Pinchy said:
"Trust the Manager" is a valid point of view (unless we're talking about managers such as the former semi-professional, non-league, reserve goalkeeper, of course) but not a reason to stifle debate or silence other views. I do think its legitimate to suggest that Clough is a shrewd cookie (ugh!) who is entirely aware of our need for a striker or two and has concrete plans to recruit the same but those plans can't come to fruition just yet (fruity concrete - what a mixed metaphor! Not doing too well tonight, am I?)

For what it's worth, and based on listening carefully to his interviews [there are clues in there] I think NC's priority is a leader of the line (a rather more refined version of a "target man" if you will).

Will you [publicly] get your knackers out if we get an established striker and The Beard as well? I'll do it for striker, Coady and Beard but only under cover of darkness.
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Bollocks
 
Bergen Blade said:
I know who it is, but maybe best to avoid mentioning it on here? I think it's unlikely that this one will happen, but as I said I think it's good that we're looking abroad as well.
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I did wonder if it was this guy who earned a deal at Molde after a good season at Sarpsborg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Elyounoussi

I assume teh Icelandic top scorer Kjartansson is likely for Champ/PL or equivalent elsewhere @Bergen ?
 

Balham Blade said:
For everyone worrying about us not signing a striker, let me remind you what happens when you panic buy up front:

_62256722_62256721.jpg

Exhibit 1: Barry Hayles. 4 appearances, 0 goals.

geoffhorsfield_621796.jpg

Exhibit 2: Geoff Horsfield. £1.2m, 3 appearances, 1 goal (away at League 2 MK Dons)

13388-lsh.jpg

Exhibit 3: Laurens Ten Heuvel. 10 appearances, 0 goals
Click to expand...

Wow, who was the genius who bought those......
 
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