CONFIRMED Scott Hogan

[YES Blade]

Sure, sometimes it works having two completely different strikers. Big man little man etc
But a younger, quicker version of Sharp would do a lot of damage for our team, I think
Then Leon can provide the plan B if Sharp needs a rest or tires during a game

Personally I think the big man, little man type partnerships are from a bygone age.

Top sides, just sign good players that fit into the style of player. Look at Liverpool’s front three tonight, not one of them is over 6 feet. You could also say they are similar type of players, but it obviously workd because they are class players.

 

[FTPE]

Personally I think the big man, little man type partnerships are from a bygone age.

Top sides, just sign good players that fit into the style of player. Look at Liverpool’s front three tonight, not one of them is over 6 feet. You could also say they are similar type of players, but it obviously workd because they are class players.

I don't think it has to be as black and white as a big man and a little man but Germany always have a target man. France picked Giroud for the same reason. 5 or so years ago Spain debunked my theory because they had phenomenally gifted players (like Livepool do now) but how much of a threat would they be now without Costa?
I'm not saying a Shipperley, I'm just after more of a Hulse or Beattie but with pace.

 

[mattbianco1]

I don't think it has to be as black and white as a big man and a little man but Germany always have a target man. France picked Giroud for the same reason. 5 or so years ago Spain debunked my theory because they had phenomenally gifted players (like Livepool do now) but how much of a threat would they be now without Costa?
I'm not saying a Shipperley, I'm just after more of a Hulse or Beattie but with pace.

I think on Saturday we saw what Clarke's game is all about. He is there to get pushed, pulled and battered all game so to hold the ball up and create space for others.

Best he's played this season that, shame he couldn't get his goal.

 

[YES Blade]

I don't think it has to be as black and white as a big man and a little man but Germany always have a target man. France picked Giroud for the same reason. 5 or so years ago Spain debunked my theory because they had phenomenally gifted players (like Livepool do now) but how much of a threat would they be now without Costa?
I'm not saying a Shipperley, I'm just after more of a Hulse or Beattie but with pace.

The big men/target men you referred to are also very good players on the ball. They aren’t used to win headers, they are simply good players who happen to be over 6 feet tall.

It’s generally good crosses that create headed goals, such as Billy’s goal on Saturday. These days a target man can be classed as any player that can hold the ball up and bring others into play. It’s very rare any team boots the ball up to the big man to win headers these days.

The way we play height is irrelevant for our strikers, the defenders provide the height for the set pieces.

 

[Jackson Blade]

Anyone else concerned he goes if injured twice in his Aston Villa HIGHLIGHT reel...?

 

[FTPE]

I think on Saturday we saw what Clarke's game is all about. He is there to get pushed, pulled and battered all game so to hold the ball up and create space for others.

Best he's played this season that, shame he couldn't get his goal.

If you could guarantee me a fully on form Leon for the rest of the season, I'd pick that over every striker mentioned this year with the exception of maybe Abraham.

 

[Blade56]

If you could guarantee me a fully on form Leon for the rest of the season, I'd pick that over every striker mentioned this year with the exception of maybe Abraham.

Sorry, an out of form Leon is no good to us. Think it was 7 of his goals came in 2 games. Do know if it's confidence, weight or just bad luck but we need someone to push him for his place or replace him until he gets his mojo back.

 

[Chali 2na]

Let’s be honest with ourselves unless we somehow get promoted then Fleck almost certainly is going to want to move on and test himself at Premier League level he will be at the age he can’t hang around any longer.

All guesswork and conjecture, but don't let that get in the way of a good chance moan.

 

[Chali 2na]

I get your point but if we had 2 Sharps up front we aren't scoring many in the air from open play again.
I don't just mean the second striker has to be a "plan B" but when intricate balls through the middle aren't paying off or it isn't sticking up top then it's always nice to have a Brian Deane as well as a Peschisolido.
It doesn't have to be a Heskey to your Owen a Shearer would do.

I don't think it has to be as black and white as a big man and a little man but Germany always have a target man. France picked Giroud for the same reason. 5 or so years ago Spain debunked my theory because they had phenomenally gifted players (like Livepool do now) but how much of a threat would they be now without Costa?
I'm not saying a Shipperley, I'm just after more of a Hulse or Beattie but with pace.

Take your point, but to play Devil's advocate, look at the best team in the country at the minute, City: they don't have anything close to a target man. Then you look at Liverpool, UCL finalists, and tipped to be the team most likely to compete in the PL this year: again, no target man; Bobby Firminio's under 6 foot and rarely gets his head on it.

My point is, that as a role, I think it's becoming a little redundant, for now.

 

[DronnieBlade]

You misunderstand me.
Hogan plays on the shoulder of the last man, latches on to through balls, is a fox in the box, an opportunist. I've watched all his goals today and he's probably the closest player we've been looking at to Sharp.

I took "playing along side" as being the opposite, having the strengths and attributes that your striking partner lacks. Maybe I'm being old fashioned but I was meaning the others are tall, strong, decent In the air target men.

I knew that.

I am challenging yours (and many others) popular misconceptions that is a prerequisite we have a “big” un alongside the fat lad.

It simply isn’t you know

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Why can't two players that are similar play together ?

What's the obsession with a big man little man ?
What's the obsession with one quick player one good at holding it up ?

All players have naturally subtle differences, non are cloned.

A manager builds a team that mirrors how he wants the game to be played, those that don't fit into that style shouldn't be signed regardless of his price, availability or his playing style.

We've signed too many players because they were available at the time or because the price was right, and then tried to shoehorn players into particular styles and positions.
We've never laid down a Sheffield United method of playing football and only signing those that can fit into it

Hallelujah.

100% this.

Have a like sir

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

I get your point but if we had 2 Sharps up front we aren't scoring many in the air from open play again.
I don't just mean the second striker has to be a "plan B" but when intricate balls through the middle aren't paying off or it isn't sticking up top then it's always nice to have a Brian Deane as well as a Peschisolido.
It doesn't have to be a Heskey to your Owen a Shearer would do.

Agreed.

Plan B comes off the bench.

UTB

 

[Maidenhead]

Sorry, an out of form Leon is no good to us. Think it was 7 of his goals came in 2 games. Do know if it's confidence, weight or just bad luck but we need someone to push him for his place or replace him until he gets his mojo back.

When did we last have a player that was capable of 7 goals in 2 games?

Good job he didn't take penalties as no doubt they wouldn't count either.

There are none so blind as those that close their minds.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Sorry, an out of form Leon is no good to us. Think it was 7 of his goals came in 2 games.

It was actually only 6 lucky goals in 2 games, but don't let me interrupt your negativity.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

It’s possibly a generation thing. But I do think it’s essential to have a mix of attributes in a football team and that includes having someone with a bit of height up front, I think that’s why Clarke is an obvious choice for Wider as well. Take him out the side and we lose the ability to challenge for any aerial ball.

I also like to have pace, preferably in the form of wingers, and aggression, in the form of a hard tackling midfielder, and height and brawn at the back, in the centre halves.

Now: it’s possible to quote examples of some of the worlds best teams who don’t have all these things in their team. Fair enough. But if you aren’t in the position of recruiting the worlds finest footballers then this mix of attributes is a pretty sensible thing to aim for imo.

 

[GrayBlade]

Why can't two players that are similar play together ?

What's the obsession with a big man little man ?
What's the obsession with one quick player one good at holding it up ?

All players have naturally subtle differences, non are cloned.

A manager builds a team that mirrors how he wants the game to be played, those that don't fit into that style shouldn't be signed regardless of his price, availability or his playing style.

We've signed too many players because they were available at the time or because the price was right, and then tried to shoehorn players into particular styles and positions.
We've never laid down a Sheffield United method of playing football and only signing those that can fit into it

We have laid down a Sheffield United method of playing football under Wilder but you’re absolutely bob on with the rest.

 

[sheffielder]

Take your point, but to play Devil's advocate, look at the best team in the country at the minute, City: they don't have anything close to a target man. Then you look at Liverpool, UCL finalists, and tipped to be the team most likely to compete in the PL this year: again, no target man; Bobby Firminio's under 6 foot and rarely gets his head on it.

My point is, that as a role, I think it's becoming a little redundant, for now.

Slightly different for those teams who have immense skill and pace from the wings, upfront or behind. We don't have either the skill or pace

 

[Blade56]

It was actually only 6 lucky goals in 2 games, but don't let me interrupt your negativity.

Everyone's entitled to an opinion EC.

That said I think it's extremely negative for SUFC by defending a strikers that is not scoring and as Maidenhead say closing your eyes/mind to the fact he is not scoring goals at the moment and needs motivating with competitition in the team.

 

[Jon Bon II]

Is it to-fucking-day Dad?

 

[Chali 2na]

Slightly different for those teams who have immense skill and pace from the wings, upfront or behind. We don't have either the skill or pace

I take your point about pace, I hope that as we replace the aging Duffy, Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick in the coming seasons, we can inject a little more pace into the forward line.

I disagree with your point about skill though: obviously Liverpool and Man City's players are technically superior, as they play at the highest level. However, relative to our league, when we're at our best we're as skilful as any.
Players like Coutts, Fleck, Duffy and Clarke were a joy to watch in the first half of last season - as skilful and classy as any United players I've seen in my lifetime.

 

[sheffielder]

I take your point about pace, I hope that as we replace the aging Duffy, Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick in the coming seasons, we can inject a little more pace into the forward line.

I disagree with your point about skill though: obviously Liverpool and Man City's players are technically superior, as they play at the highest level. However, relative to our league, when we're at our best we're as skilful as any.
Players like Coutts, Fleck, Duffy and Clarke were a joy to watch in the first half of last season - as skilful and classy as any United players I've seen in my lifetime.

Too young for John Gannon then

 

[Eric Cartman]

FWIW, I heard (from someone in the local media) that the difference between what we were prepared to pay Waghorn and what he wanted was £15k pw UTB

15k pw is quite a lot to be fair

 

[Maidenhead]

Everyone's entitled to an opinion EC.

That said I think it's extremely negative for SUFC by defending a strikers that is not scoring and as Maidenhead say closing your eyes/mind to the fact he is not scoring goals at the moment and needs motivating with competitition in the team.

Did I say that?

I don't recall ever saying that Clarke and Sharp are the perfect front two.

What I did say is that Clarke brings much more to the team than just goals but some people are just far too prejudiced against him to ever notice this.

Are there better options out there?

Most definitely.

Can we afford them?

Probably not.

Is Scott Hogan the answer?

I don't think so.

Is that all clear or would you like to have another go at telling me what I think?

 

[Pinchy]

You misunderstand me.
Hogan plays on the shoulder of the last man, latches on to through balls, is a fox in the box, an opportunist. I've watched all his goals today and he's probably the closest player we've been looking at to Sharp.

I knew very little about Hogan. I’ve now seen his Brentford goals reel. He’s good; very good. Quick, alert, intelligent, takes up great positions instinctively and keeps his cool. He scores the sort of goals that we don’t. He’s significantly different to Sharp.

If, and it’s a very big if, he can get fully fit, I now understand why he’s Tufty’s number one choice.

 

[gavtheblade]

I knew very little about Hogan. I’ve now seen his Brentford goals reel. He’s good; very good. Quick, alert, intelligent, takes up great positions instinctively and keeps his cool. He scores the sort of goals that we don’t. He’s significantly different to Sharp.

If, and it’s a very big if, he can get fully fit, I now understand why he’s Tufty’s number one choice.

Is it confirmed that he is Tufty's number one target?
Or a smokescreen for another option we are keeping quiet about.

 

[Pinchy]

Is it confirmed that he is Tufty's number one target?
Or a smokescreen for another option we are keeping quiet about.

Some ITK guy said ages ago that Egan and Hogan were our primary targets, before either had even been mentioned elsewhere. He got the first right...

 

[Maidenhead]

I knew very little about Hogan. I’ve now seen his Brentford goals reel. He’s good; very good. Quick, alert, intelligent, takes up great positions instinctively and keeps his cool. He scores the sort of goals that we don’t. He’s significantly different to Sharp.

If, and it’s a very big if, he can get fully fit, I now understand why he’s Tufty’s number one choice.

It's the very big IF that worries me too given the proportion of our budget we would be gambling on him.

 

[Jon Bon II]

Some ITK guy said ages ago that Egan and Hogan were our primary targets, before either had even been mentioned elsewhere. He got the first right...

Good old Wit!

You can't buy that sort of insider knowledge...

 

[Blade56]

Did I say that?

I don't recall ever saying that Clarke and Sharp are the perfect front two.

What I did say is that Clarke brings much more to the team than just goals but some people are just far too prejudiced against him to ever notice this.

Are there better options out there?

Most definitely.

Can we afford them?

Probably not.

Is Scott Hogan the answer?

I don't think so.

Is that all clear or would you like to have another go at telling me what I think?

Oooooooohhhh, arsie response for a nothing comment. Maybe we should just be really positive and see only the good in our team that is already good enough to win the league and go top 6 in the PL. there, is that positive enough?

 

[Pinchy]

Good old Wit!

You can't buy that sort of insider knowledge...

...or my house.