Back up strikers

[Bergen Blade]

We currently have four specialist strikers in the squad:

Beattie
Evans
Cresswell
Porter

Evans is in his last year, Beattie is also on a short term contract, while Porter and Cresswell are off form, and not likely to improve dramatically. We may disagree on their ability, but it seems likely that we have to find new options quite soon.

What have we got in reserve currently? Not much. We have used Erik Tønne and Danny Philliskirk up front in the reserves, and while they have some good attributes it is questionable if any of them are ever going to become specialist strikers. It seems to me that it is the lack of reserve team strikers that has forced us to stick Tønne and Philliskirk up there. If so, that's a rubbish reasoning and potentially damaging for their development.

Tønne came to this club as a left back, but is probably better at left midfield or in an attacking midfield role. Philliskirk played in midfield for Chelsea, as this article tells, written by a Chelsea reserve team watcher:

After seventeen different players embarked on nineteen separate loan spells last season, Daniel Philliskirk became the second of an expected many (following Rhys Taylor) to find a new temporary home for the new campaign.

The midfielder will join up with Oxford United this week and spend a month on loan at the Kassam Stadium; a deal which will likely be extended should he impress.

It’s the 19 year-old’s first foray into professional football, three years after joining Chelsea as a first-year scholar from Oldham Athletic. But what can followers of the Us expect from their new signing?

First off, we should set something straight. Manager Chris Wilder made something of an intriguing statement when revealing the move:


“Chelsea play in the three up front so he is used to playing in that. If he does well then he has a great opportunity here.”

Now this, on the face of it, is true. Daniel does have vast experience at playing in a 4-3-3 formation, which the club had adopted throughout every level from 2004-2009, and still use occasionally at Under-18 level and as the formation of choice for all junior sides.

However, it suggests that Oxford may intend to use him as a forward. Which could be a problem.

Philliskirk was a forward in his more formative years, and came to the club touted as a a striker when he left Boundary Park. Whilst he has occasionally played as a lead striker wearing the number nine shirt in Chelsea Blue, he has most often lined up in midfield.

Indeed, he has probably played in attack as often as he has at centre-back, as he filled in across the back line on occasion during the 2008/09 season.

One Oxford fan has today suggested to me that James Constable will be leading their attack this season, flanked by two wide men. It would be a reach to expect Daniel to play in one of those roles, as he has very little recent experience doing so, and it contradicts his style.

If their intention is, as would make sense, to play him in the middle of the park, then everything changes, and it could be a successful relationship.

Whilst he’s not an exceptionally gifted athlete, he can handle the rough and tumble of adult professional football, and is technically accomplished to play in a team wanting to adopt an attractive style.

He’s a capable passer over all distances, and plays a neat and tidy game, perhaps in the style (not ability) of a Paul Scholes. He may appear rather unassuming, perhaps introverted, but leads by example and has captained Chelsea at youth and reserve level.

The aim for the four-week spell must surely to be to nail down a starting berth early on and making a positive impression which leads either to a longer spell at the club, or a step up to another level.

Everything he’s shown at Chelsea so far suggests he should be good enough to compete in the division, if not stand out should the opportunity be given to him.

Personally I thought the development squad was a good thing, a chance to bridge the gap between U18 and first team football, while also taking a chance on players we had seen something in, youngsters who we felt could develop given a bit of time. It was introduced under Gary Speed, and the likes of Tønne, Løkberg, Conneely, McAllister and Philliskirk was found, scouted and had their trials when he was here. Micky Adams preferred older, proven players and so far Danny Wilson seems similar.

As the reserves lack strikers (and centre halves) players are often played out of position and I think it will mean that the likes of Tønne and Philliskirk won't challenge for first team spots in the positions they do best (midfield), while at the same time not looking comfortable or convincing in the positions they're being forced to play in.

 

[SwissBlade]

I was flabbergasted today that we didn't put a striker or a player that could play up front on the bench today. If for nothing else but to be a back up in case Ched or Porter got a knock.

As it happened...

- Porter was absolutely bloody awful.
- Porter DID get a knock and had to go off to get his head bandaged.

Thankfully Ched led the line well.

Looking at the reserves, Tonne and Philliskirk both played in the reserves v Forest, so why not stick one of them on the bench?

Better still, an unfit BT would've been a threat to Chez-Vegas

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Better still, an unfit BT would've been a threat to Chez-Vegas

This, completely this. Chucking on BT for a run around for 20 minutes would have given Chesterfield's defenders a right scare, particularly as they'd had an easy ride for most of the game with Porter and His Amazing Offside Demonstration. Having BT on the field would have taken two of their defenders out of the game, and given Ched more time and space.