Centre forward

[Trafford]

It's ages since we last had a centre forward who was a genuine threat in the air, a proper number 9, and the same can probably said for England. Is this a reflection on our national game and, if so, is it time to go back to what we've traditionally been good at? We've put most of our problems down to poor crossing over the last couple of years but it would be nice to have a genuinely good header of the ball to aim for and that could make a massive difference in this league.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

England didn't seem to do that well with a "proper number 9".

I would say in modern football you need a new breed of number 9 which as well as being a physical presence also needs to be techincally sound, quick and mobile.

I can't see United getting one of the above so you either have great lumps who impose themselves on the centrehalves but aren't mobile nor technically that great or jacks of all trades which is the compromise I'd rather us go for.

 

[Gib Blade]

Spain & Barca seem to do OK without a so called ''Proper Number 9''. But them do have the best passing creative midfielders in world football at the moment which they've just added to.

But from whats been posted on here the Blades with DW are trying to play that way.

COYRAWW lets keep this undefeated start to the season going. Maybe we can be the Arsenal of league 1 in their season of untouchables.

---------- Post added at 10:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Spain & Barca seem to do OK without a so called ''Proper Number 9''. But them do have the best passing creative midfielders in world football at the moment which they've just added to.

But from whats been posted on here the Blades with DW are trying to play that way.

COYRAWW lets keep this undefeated start to the season going. Maybe we can be the Arsenal of league 1 in their season of untouchables.

---------- Post added at 10:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 AM ----------

sorry for posting same reply twice

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Barca paid £50 Million for one and then moved him on after a season.

 

[raul]

The OP :heart: hoofing. How much better do Liverpool look without Handbrake Carroll?

The most traditional no 9 I can think of is Darius Henderson. Look how well that turned out. That said, I still can't believe I will grow old and die without seeing Alan Lee leading our line.

 

[Bladesway]

It's ages since we last had a centre forward who was a genuine threat in the air, a proper number 9, and the same can probably said for England. Is this a reflection on our national game and, if so, is it time to go back to what we've traditionally been good at? We've put most of our problems down to poor crossing over the last couple of years but it would be nice to have a genuinely good header of the ball to aim for and that could make a massive difference in this league.

Our problems are not poor crossing but poor crossing positions. Cressy and Porter will bag you what you need in the air if we get wingers behind defences rathert than crossing from in front of them. Its long time been a bugbear of mine that we lump it in from the halfway line whereas a bit of trickery gets you behind the defence with defenders facing their own goal. This way you can either nod one in yourself or (and you would be surprised how many times it happens) a defender will slap one in his own net with a sliced clearance/50 pence header.

Theres only one way to beat them, get round the back as someone once said.

 

[Trafford]

I agree with that, I'm just not sure that Cresswell is good enough in the air to convert them. I know that Jostein Flo was a bit hit and miss but I still remember the header that he scored on his debut at the Lane - perfect cross from the right wing and he Rose above everyone else to plant it in the bottom corner. It's that kind of ability that I was referring to, not the "lump it up and hope" approach that people seem to have focussed on.

 

[djbaldken]

Date for my diary

The OP :heart: hoofing. How much better do Liverpool look without Handbrake Carroll?

The most traditional no 9 I can think of is Darius Henderson. Look how well that turned out. That said, I still can't believe I will grow old and die without seeing Alan Lee leading our line.

30th August 2011 . Raul posts something i can actually understand!!!!!!

 

[judge]

its hard to believe that raul was once a respected poster on football matters before he was corrupted by cask ales and beards

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

"It's ages since we last had a centre forward who was a genuine threat in the air, a proper number 9, and the same can probably said for England."

It's about 3 months by my calculations. He won virtually everything in the air, good touch and vision for a big bloke, led the line brilliantly but still he got slated by some of the experts at the Lane. Think Carroll does a similar job for England.

 

[alcoblade]

"

It's about 3 months by my calculations. He won virtually everything in the air, good touch and vision for a big bloke, led the line brilliantly but still he got slated by some of the experts at the Lane. Think Carroll does a similar job for England.

I think you missed the bit about playing only a handful of games due to injuries and suspensions, whilst taking almost amillion pounds a year out of the club.

Henderson had his attributes, but it's extremely poor value for money players such as this that have left us on our arse.

UTB