Duffy MK2 or a striker?

[ilovesufc]

Given that there's pretty much no way we can afford both of these players in the JWT, which represents the most value to us?
Striker - has to be significantly different from what we already have... someone who has the pace and ability to create their own chances rather than mainly feed off crosses, we already have this in Sharp and McG, and Leon to some extent when he's on form. Is it possible to find this within budget? If we simply go for another striker in a similar vein, how much benefit will we get, given that we know when we don't cross, we rarely score?
Duffy MK2 - currently when Duffy tires or isn't on form, we have no direct replacement. We all know we're a weaker side without Duffy linking play and dragging the opposition all over the pitch. He's vital to our style of play - we always lose impetus when he tires and has to be subbed, and our attacking threat diminishes. Would spending money here rather than up front mean we can keep pressure on the opposition for longer in matches, grinding them down and seeking out those late winners?
Is it easier to find a Duffy MK2 within our budget or that striker? In reality which will give us more options?

Heart says striker (because we all want that prolific striker!), but my head says Duffy MK2.

 

[Bookers Mullet]

If we can get Duffy with a little more pace and shooting boots i'd be happy, but sadly I think that player is Messi!!

 

[Carlton Blade]

We aren't going to spend any money. Maybe a loan or 2 if we are lucky

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We aren't going to spend any money. Maybe a loan or 2 if we are lucky

Thats probably the sad truth.

 

[SUFC Guy]

I think an improvement of Duffy and a young striker prem loan. Haven't got a clue as to who but then again it's not my job to know

 

[Fulwood Blade]

A striker has been obvious for weeks now - proved once again last night. Close games, all be it by the S6 lot just sitting in, needs someone with a bit of extra skill.

The recurring theme is we dominate games with good quality possession and do very little in the 18 yard box to finish chances.

The balls across from SS side last night were just begging someone to get in front of a defender, and was evidence yet again.

75% possession against a well organised but shocking poor Wednesday team spoke volumes.

It's a problem we need to solve. The solution will be really difficult as looking in todays sports news - Stirling signs a £300,000K per week contract !

UTB

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Create more chances, the strikers we have will score enough.

Pass around the edges of the box with no cutting edge, it doesn't matter who the strikers are.

What we really need is someone like Brooks, that can play the Duffy role when needed, play as a supporting striker, or go out wide in a front 3. McGoldrick can kind of do that job, but is too much of a forward to always be a straight replacement for Duffy.

 

[Rodley]

We needed to mix it up. When Clarke came on we only banged one ball up to him and he pulled Hector all over the place.

 

[ilovesufc]

We aren't going to spend any money. Maybe a loan or 2 if we are lucky

I think we will...doubt it'll be bank breaking (obviously ;-)) but I reckon they will chuck a bit at one player and then go loan on maybe one more.

 

[Rob86]

Duffy Mk 2 without doubt. We needed a bit of flair from the bench as we were carving them open and had to bring Clarke on. Not knocking the lad, but our final ball isn’t very good more often than not, so we needed a tricky player to make something happen. Basically someone with new ideas who can affect a game at 70 mins.

Looking further ahead, it’s crucial as a minimum by the start of next year. If nothing is forthcoming in January (fair enough as prices are hiked up 50%), it’ll be another year in the Championship and it needs sorting for then.

 

[ilovesufc]

Create more chances, the strikers we have will score enough.

Pass around the edges of the box with no cutting edge, it doesn't matter who the strikers are.

What we really need is someone like Brooks, that can play the Duffy role when needed, play as a supporting striker, or go out wide in a front 3. McGoldrick can kind of do that job, but is too much of a forward to always be a straight replacement for Duffy.

Agree re McG, thought he did really well filling in for Duffy the other week but he's not a long term option.
It's funny that we've got money from selling Brooks, but what we really need is another Brooks...

 

[DronnieBlade]

Have to be a striker for me.

Duffy when fit must always start. As must Sharp.

Didsy, plays a sort of hybrid CF/#10 type role most of the time. He is pretty good at this and therefore can provide adequate if not excellent cover for the Duffy job. Not at all sure he is an out and out CF though. And so this is where I think we are lacking.

Washington and Clarke seem capable of only bit part roles and are clearly not the answer.

I reckon Wilder will be allowed to bring in a £5m striker in January, which will help enormously. Assuming he gets the right one !!

UTB

 

[Carlton Blade]

I think we will...doubt it'll be bank breaking (obviously ;-)) but I reckon they will chuck a bit at one player and then go loan on maybe one more.

If we sell someone we might get a bit back. We've got £2.5m coming in, £2m going out for the Leonard/Evans - Norwood swaps. Apart from that I think all funds are going on running the club.

Where's any money going to come from? Neither McCabe or HRH are going to put money up unless the other does. And they are in court sorting out their issues.

I just don't see how any money could be available

 

[ilovesufc]

If we sell someone we might get a bit back. We've got £2.5m coming in, £2m going out for the Leonard/Evans - Norwood swaps. Apart from that I think all funds are going on running the club.

Where's any money going to come from? Neither McCabe or HRH are going to put money up unless the other does. And they are in court sorting out their issues.

I just don't see how any money could be available

Stop it Carlton, you're depressing me. I'm trying to escape the reality of being a Blade! ;-)

Seriously though, I know where you're coming from - my confusion lies in the fact the one week Wilder says we've not touched the Brooks money, the next we're skint. Not sure what the actual reality is!

 

[Carlton Blade]

Stop it Carlton, you're depressing me. I'm trying to escape the reality of being a Blade! ;-)

Seriously though, I know where you're coming from - my confusion lies in the fact the one week Wilder says we've not touched the Brooks money, the next we're skint. Not sure what the actual reality is!

I would be absolutely delighted to be proven wrong!!

 

[Rodley]

If we sell someone we might get a bit back. We've got £2.5m coming in, £2m going out for the Leonard/Evans - Norwood swaps. Apart from that I think all funds are going on running the club.

Where's any money going to come from? Neither McCabe or HRH are going to put money up unless the other does. And they are in court sorting out their issues.

I just don't see how any money could be available

I’m hoping they do what they did in the summer. Set aside the dispute and agree funds for wages and transfers. Plus theoretically we have the Brooks first lump to play with.

It’s a big opportunity to get into the top 6 this year either way.

 

[BrayfordsBushyBeard]

Striker for me ! I hope beyond hope the Andy Carroll rumour is true . Will he miss a few games - definitely. Would he make a difference in the ones he plays - massively! Mcgoldrick is supposed to be injury prone and how many games has he missed ? Does it make financial sense - probably not but at least it would show ambition! The guy is class and everyone would fear him in this division. Completely different to anything and if he could stay fit would be nowhere near Bramall Lane !! I know I will be shot down in flames , and obviously if medical wise there is no chance of him playing at least half the games then fine . But what if ...
As ever UTB !!

 

[Sithblade]

I think an improvement of Duffy and a young striker prem loan. Haven't got a clue as to who but then again it's not my job to know

Dowell at Everton? Thinks he's come back from injury. Send Woodburn back and get someone who scored 9 goals in 38 games for a average Forest team last season.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Dowell at Everton? Thinks he's come back from injury. Send Woodburn back and get someone who scored 9 goals in 38 games for a average Forest team last season.

Yeah good shout!

We are kinda in Fulham's shoes from last year - just a mitrovich away from being a really effective side. They had more pace granted but we dont rely on pace the way we setup.

 

[BigBed]

Both.

 

[kop_blade9]

Don't think we need a striker.
Sharp never got on a ball in the box last night because there were no decent balls into the box.
Part of this was because it was so congested in the area it was difficult to thread a ball through.
Maybe we need to work on 1-2's in the box?
Or get the wingbacks/midfield to deliver a decent ball to the striker

 

[Iceybabey]

Both. I reckon McGoldrick can do the Duffy role as well but I'd still go for a long term replacement for the position.

 

[Digger]

I like the look of Eze at QPR. He's pacy and unpredictable.
Before we get to the transfer window we need to do some work on the training ground.
Sharp and Co will score enough if we stop over playing.

 

[ilovesufc]

Iceybabey & BigBed ...we all want both but that's blatantly not going to happen, let's have a bit of realism ;-)

 

[BigBed]

I like the look of Eze at QPR. He's pacy and unpredictable.
Before we get to the transfer window we need to do some work on the training ground.
Sharp and Co will score enough if we stop over playing.

Can you ever score "enough", only "Not enough", surely??

 

[finlaytheblade]

Don't think we need a striker.
Sharp never got on a ball in the box last night because there were no decent balls into the box.
Part of this was because it was so congested in the area it was difficult to thread a ball through.
Maybe we need to work on 1-2's in the box?
Or get the wingbacks/midfield to deliver a decent ball to the striker

Think you have a point blade 9 our strikers dont miss lots of chances ..some of our approach work is great but reflecting on last night and previous games
The final pass seems to be the big problem,,many times we get into threatening positions to make the wrong decision and the opportunity is lost.We are getting better and the right signings in January are vital.I do beleave Wilder knows what's needed ,hopefully he can get them over the line

 

[Nick Jansky]

We aren't going to spend any money. Maybe a loan or 2 if we are lucky

Which involves spending money. Loans aren’t free.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Which involves spending money. Loans aren’t free.

I've said it before, the answer is one classy loan. there's plenty sitting on the bench in the Prem, Modric types. The cost would be minimal - 1 or 2 million. If United can't muster this up then we should all pack it in. The real stumbling block is the resistance to paying anyone more than ten grand per week but do we spend £4m on dross like last year or put it to good use?

 

[Nick Jansky]

I've said it before, the answer is one classy loan. there's plenty sitting on the bench in the Prem, Modric types. The cost would be minimal - 1 or 2 million. If United can't muster this up then we should all pack it in. The real stumbling block is the resistance to paying anyone more than ten grand per week but do we spend £4m on dross like last year or put it to good use?

Spot on.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Which involves spending money. Loans aren’t free.

Ok. But less than a permanent signing. £500k difference between Leonard/Evans and Norwood about covers it and keeps the transfer surplus