How we do improve our strikeforce? Isit really the problem?

[Houston_Blade]

Don't worry, I'll sort it out for us.

What we want is a 4 out and out strikers with others who can play up top to supplement them.

Clarke and Sharp have to stick around, they're experienced centre forwards who score goals. Then we have to keep Brooks. The rest can go.

So we're looking at signing 2 or 3 attackers who are capable of playing centrally.

Firstly we need a 'main' striker as I don't anticipate Clarke repeating his exceptional efforts this season. This will be a challenge. Our best hope may be a loan, Ollie McBurnie would be the ideal choice, although I think his contract might be up at Swansea, in which case any compensation fee decided would be worth paying.

Then we should look for a striker who seems like a good 'punt', ideally one with pace. Mo Eisa looks like the best bet.

So that'd be 4 centre forwards plus Brooks.

Additionally I'd look to sign another attacking player, Sammy Ameobi on a free would be a superb signing to cover every attacking position, and he'd become a regular if he played to his potential.

Strikers: McBurnie, Clarke, Sharp, Eisa, Ameobi, Brooks

That would be spot on. Good age blend and just about every attribute between them.


As for goals from elsewhere... Fleck needs to be getting at least 5, so does Duffy. Fleck needs to work on his right foot - it would get him an extra 2/3 goals a season.

We need more from set pieces. This can be helped by signing a set piece taker, like Ben Marshall. And working on it in training.

Then the centre halves and wing backs simply need to step up in the goalscoring department. I always expected it to be much harder in this league for them to score from set pieces especially, but O'Connell, Baldock and Stevens should have managed more than 4 between them. Basham and Stearman have done OK with 2 each, but 8 goals from our regular back 5 isn't enough.

At the start of this season we couldn't realistically have expected to score more than we have. Clarke and Sharp have surpassed expectations. But now we're here, you have to think we should've had more from elsewhere. At least another 5-10. And how valuable might they have been!

I agree on the number of players we need, good suggestions on who but I think we need to look outside of current U.K. based players. Scotland is hit and miss, PL and Championship are either loan signings who aren’t arsed or over priced because they are British.

We need someone in the mould of Marcelo, Katchouro etc (i.e. random as fuck, foreign and cheap), If we could avoid another Ten Heuvels it would be good but it’s like playing Russian (or Belarusian) Roulette at times.

 

[PokerBlade]

A big part of it comes down to whether we hold on to Brooks. If he stays at the club and continues to develop then it'll be him and Clarke up front.

I'm not as down about Donaldson as some, but I'm not much of a fan either. Look to move him on. We then need to pad out the strike force. We don't have any pace other than Brooks and we won't have anyone capable of hold up play other than Clarke.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

All our strikers are shit because they haven't scored every single chance they've had.

Incidentally, Mo Salah missed a sitter on Saturday. If their fans are anything like our guttersnipes , they'll want him carted off by the end of the season.

And not just Mo Salah. In the last week alone, I've seen chances missed by literally dozens of Premiership and Champions League strikers ( including the great Ronaldo himself ) which were easier than many of those missed by Billy / Leon / Donaldo which were classed by some of the experts on here as sitters.

It's almost got to the stage where some people believe that every time the ball goes into the box, one of them should get on the end of it and score. If not, they've had a shit game.

Give me strength.

 

[Ricky]

What we've also got to do is ensure we have the right quality to be a threat in various systems, not just the 3-5-2.

Brooks, Duffy and Ameobi behind a striker for example would be an exciting prospect.

I agree on the number of players we need, good suggestions on who but I think we need to look outside of current U.K. based players. Scotland is hit and miss, PL and Championship are either loan signings who aren’t arsed or over priced because they are British.

We need someone in the mould of Marcelo, Katchouro etc (i.e. random as fuck, foreign and cheap), If we could avoid another Ten Heuvels it would be good but it’s like playing Russian (or Belarusian) Roulette at times.

Yep, ideally we'd be looking abroad too. But it seems like we'll continue to stubbornly refuse for at least another year...

 

[Bladezz]

Obviously if you can a right wing back to score double figures it helps like last season but I really think we need to get scouting creatively for 30 goals from 2 or 3 forwards. Don’t ask me who but that’s why I’m not a scout.

We have that already. 18 Clarke 12 Sharp

 

[Rodley]

Need pace up top.

 

[Bashar Al Asaba]

And not just Mo Salah. In the last week alone, I've seen chances missed by literally dozens of Premiership and Champions League strikers ( including the great Ronaldo himself ) which were easier than many of those missed by Billy / Leon / Donaldo which were classed by some of the experts on here as sitters.

It's almost got to the stage where some people believe that every time the ball goes into the box, one of them should get on the end of it and score. If not, they've had a shit game.

Give me strength.

Couldn't put it better, that's spot on. The attitude of some folk makes my piss fizz.

 

[Bladezz]

What’s this obsession with Ameobi? He’s rubbish.

 

[Bladezz]

Need pace up top.

So must score more than 12 and be a better finish than Billy but with pace. Think that would be cheap.

 

[Ricky]

What’s this obsession with Ameobi? He’s rubbish.

Not watched him much have you?

Ask Bolton fans if he's rubbish.

 

[Bladezz]

Not watched him much have you?

Ask Bolton fans if he's rubbish.

Your correct as everytime I’ve been at a Bolton game he’s on the bench usually. I don’t watch Bolton reserves a great deal.

 

[Bladezz]

Not watched him much have you?

Ask Bolton fans if he's rubbish.

Apologies quick look on the stats he’s scored once since November.

 

[Ricky]

Your correct as everytime I’ve been at a Bolton game he’s on the bench usually. I don’t watch Bolton reserves a great deal.

Apologies quick look on the stats he’s scored once since November.

It's a good job he hasn't scored more because if he had he'd be out of our reach. He usually plays on the wing by the way, not up front. And for the first team - he's started every game he's been available for. As I said, go and ask Bolton fans if he's shit. More than anything I think he just suffers from being called Ameobi.... then people actually see him play and realise they were wrong.

 

[Bladezz]

It's a good job he hasn't scored more because if he had he'd be out of our reach. He usually plays on the wing by the way, not up front. And for the first team - he's started every game he's been available for. As I said, go and ask Bolton fans if he's shit. More than anything I think he just suffers from being called Ameobi.... then people actually see him play and realise they were wrong.

Okay maybe I have something wrong, he is a winger with 2 assist's this season but plays every game he is fit for?

This season and last season combined in the league he has scored 6 goals?

Do not see how he improves us? I could always a Bolton fan how he would accommodate into our 352 system? Or when we play wingers?

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

This will be the same Ameobi my Geordie mate tells a cracking tale about.

Apparently it was a running joke that none of the coaches in the Newcastle youth could decide if he was right or left footed because he was equally bad with both... His athleticism and positioning were top drawer but he had the worst feet they'd ever seen..,

Sounds perfect for us!

 

[Ricky]

Okay maybe I have something wrong, he is a winger with 2 assist's this season but plays every game he is fit for?

This season and last season combined in the league he has scored 6 goals?

Do not see how he improves us? I could always a Bolton fan how he would accommodate into our 352 system? Or when we play wingers?

It's not all about stats. He's not got a good scoring record but he's a handful and an outlet who makes things happen. He's carrying their attack at the minute. He can do the unpredictable. I think he has the potential to score more. It's this sort of potential we have to look at, we have to be smart with our signings. We can't buy the finished article.
I think the appeal with Ameobi is quite obvious - 6 foot 4, versatile, skillful, athletic... he'd be a useful outlet from goal kicks etc, like Halford.

As for how he'd fit in, he could be one of 2 behind a striker in our current system. Could play anywhere in the 3 in a 4-2-3-1. And I think we're likely to try different formations next season.

 

[Ricky]

This will be the same Ameobi my Geordie mate tells a cracking tale about.

Apparently it was a running joke that none of the coaches in the Newcastle youth could decide if he was right or left footed because he was equally bad with both... His athleticism and positioning were top drawer but he had the worst feet they'd ever seen..,

Sounds perfect for us!

He must have made huge improvements then! Whenever I've seen him he looks to have quick feet and a very good left foot.

Maybe he has improved hugely... I know I used to think he looked clumsy, when he was at Cardiff. Maybe this is the case and explains his reputation among many fans, more so than simply being Shola's brother.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I'd look at trying to get Chris Martin off Derby.

One of the best strikers in the Championship over the past five years but nobody seems interested in him.

 

[snootyfenooty]

As for how he'd fit in, he could be one of 2 behind a striker in our current system. Could play anywhere in the 3 in a 4-2-3-1. And I think we're likely to try different formations next season.

We couldn't do that! We tried a back four 80 games ago and lost.

 

[Addison]

He must have made huge improvements then! Whenever I've seen him he looks to have quick feet and a very good left foot.

Maybe he has improved hugely... I know I used to think he looked clumsy, when he was at Cardiff. Maybe this is the case and explains his reputation among many fans, more so than simply being Shola's brother.

Vela and Ameobi were missing from Boltons first 9/10 games of which they lost 8. On their return a big upturn in form happened. Both good players and appreciated by Bolton fans.

 

[Ricky]

Vela and Ameobi were missing from Boltons first 9/10 games of which they lost 8. On their return a big upturn in form happened. Both good players and appreciated by Bolton fans.

Yep. And if Vela's available for a decent price (1 year left on contract) I'd consider him. Can play all over the pitch, from right back to attacking midfield. Would be interesting to see him in a better team, same with Ameobi.

 

[Revolution]

I'd look at trying to get Chris Martin off Derby.

One of the best strikers in the Championship over the past five years but nobody seems interested in him.

that might be due to his habit of falling out with management wherever he goes.

 

[SB_90]

Possible?

Money tree again?

Long will be on £40k a week at S'oton and there is not a snowball in Hell's chance of his coming to us.

Well southampton look odds on relegated & we know the unsustainable way clubs are run that parachute payments dont even touch the sides. Could release him on free

 

[Houston_Blade]

We have that already. 18 Clarke 12 Sharp

If you read my previous post you’d get my point. I am not sure Leon and Billy can repeat the feat next season.

 

[I should coco]

Well southampton look odds on relegated & we know the unsustainable way clubs are run that parachute payments dont even touch the sides. Could release him on free

They might well release him, but he is not Billy Sharp, prepared to take a wage cut to come back to the club he loves.

I'm sure that with minimal work on his agent's part, several clubs will be found who will match his current wages . We will not be one of them.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Is it the Duffy role needs to be bringing in 8+ goals?

Fleck only has 2 and has played pretty much every game?

Defenders scoring from set pieces?

Freeman to score more than Baldock? but lower our attacking play?

A free kick taker who we think has a chance of scoring?

Think there a few areas we will no doubt look at.

Yep, and stop conceding bad goals would be nice.

 

[wadblade]

Leon and Billy have done far better than anyone really expected but unfortunately they are both the wrong side of 30 so we must look for additions to the squad to eventually replace them

When you look at the dropped points Villa Brentford Millwall etc etc it the team as a whole failure to manage the game and retain the points that has been out biggest failing this season

its been a great season with some great football but if we want to be serious promotion contenders we have to learn how to hold on to a lead even if this wont be as entertaining
In Chis and Alan we trust
UTB

 

[Muttley]

That McBurnie chap on loan at t' Dingles might be worth a punt.

 

[gavtheblade]

I'd be more than happy if we added just three additions in the summer.
1.Blackman. He's undoubtedly an excellent keeper,one we shouldn't let slip.
2.Another centre half .On the same sort of quality as flint from brizzle.
3.Centre forward.
Probably one of the hardest positions to fill as no one is guaranteed to set the world on fire for you up front. (See Jordan Rhodes ).
Could well be worth taking a gamble on someone like will grigg, or dack or even mcburnie.

The biggest worry for me is keeping hold of 90 percent of our current squad.
In that I'd probably move on the likes of Ched, lavery, carruthers, reed,long.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

I'd look at trying to get Chris Martin off Derby.

One of the best strikers in the Championship over the past five years but nobody seems interested in him.

Think the problem with him Pete is it's him that doesn't look interested, looked brilliant at Bristol City but since his big transfer he looks to have developed a better than I am attitude and is just going through the motions.