Leading from the front

[blade67]

This is a good thread as the debate about our front line is a complex one. None of our strikers so far look like the complete package and in truth it's a lot harder for them this year as we are not dominating possession like we did in the Championship, leaving them isolated for long periods.. My view is that

Didsy looks by some distance the most likely starter ATM, as we look a much better team when he plays. He's got the touch and a bit of a physical presence to get the ball and bring other players into the game. His drawback is that he needs too many chances for each goal (0 from 7/8 so far)

Mousset has the physical presence and pace needed and is getting on the score sheet. My view is that he's a work in progress with every other part of his game, but these 2 would be my starters when fit.

Sharp looks the best of the rest. He's a very clever footballer and knows how to finish when the chances are there. The drawback is that he's not going to run away from anyone and we aren't making the chances this season that he thrived on in the championship.

McBurnie is a finisher, we've seen that against us plenty but he's not really imposed himself in any game I've watched yet.

Robinson. I've been very disappointed with him so far. He looks very low on confidence and my guess is that he's a bit overwhelmed by the step up. Needs to drink some of what Enda Stevens is taking and could yet make the leap to be a premier league player.

The easy solution is we spend £70m on a top striker in January, but I suspect that CWAK will have to mix and match these 5 and improve them to get where we need to be

 

[Captain]

We have a quality, sound, tight defence.
From the games so far if we score first we invariably go on and win and that’s why I would start with Billy in more games and particularly against Burnley.
We really have missed numerous sitters to date with Robinson and McGoldrick being the main protagonists.
Billy is a clever, ruthless finisher.Let him start bang in a few and then bring the likes of The Mousse , Robinson and as a last resort McBernie.
The partnership of Billy and MCG fired us in The Prem, we’ve seen what our defence from the previous campaigns can do so give them that starting role.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The gaffers mis use of Sharp continues to be a subject of much debate in these ere parts.

‘Twas always thus .

UTB

 

[Yewsman]

I agree that McG and the Moose are the first choice strikers when fully fit but to say Billy is over the hill is wrong.
I watched all of the match yesterday and he made a difference compared to Robinson.
One can control the ball and make simple lay-offs and the other can’t.
Yes he’s not first choice for a start but for me he’s next in line after those two as Robinson and McBurnie haven’t offered enough to the team yet.
Robinson in particular looks lost playing through the centre and doesn’t seem to be getting any better, yes he has pace but so did Luton Shelton and look how that turned out.
Agree that a January striker looks important, maybe with one of the new signings moving back to the championship on loan.
Great start to the season though UTB

With our high pressing game our strikers are expected to put in a lot of closing down work and will probably struggle to play 90 minutes so most games one of both starters are likely to be subbed from around 60 minutes onwards so the others including Billy are likely to get game time most games.
Agree Robinson and McB have not been great so far. Hoping that CWAK can work their magic as they have with so many others - Enda, Baldock, JOC, Lenny etc.

 

[Pinchy]

This is a good thread

it isn’t. It really isn’t. It’s a vehicle for the Silly Billies to bleat about their favourite not being selected. That is much more important than United doing amazingly well in the Premier League. Don’t celebrate that, moan about Bladey Bill not starting.


Pathetic, parochial claptrap.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Silly bile.

Agenda driven, custard pie overdosing nonsense.

Starting to suspect the custard has gone to your head dear boy and made you a bit delirious. Maybe .

UTB

 

[blade67]

it isn’t. It really isn’t. It’s a vehicle for the Silly Billies to bleat about their favourite not being selected. That is much more important than United doing amazingly well in the Premier League. Don’t celebrate that, moan about Bladey Bill not starting.


Pathetic, parochial claptrap.

I think you are only seeing what you want to see. There is broad debate on this thread that doesn't suit those posters who come to the forum with a fixed agenda, whether that is "billy should start" or equally, "billy isn't good enough".

The answer is more complex and doesn't really suit the "fixated posters" that sometimes dominate debate on here. Perhaps that is why I appreciate it more than you

 

[WeareBlades]

Obviously not, In what way was he awful? He came on and held up the ball excellently (most evident in the touches and lay offs from Hendo's goal kicks) only on one occasion do I recall him losing possession when he was pressed by about three Arsenal players? Not saying he should start every match but a persistent myth of Sharp only being a pure "poacher/box player" is still prevalent in our support.

Lost ball quite a few times, won a few fouls I'll give him that but looked massively off pace. Not saying he's shit because he's obviously not, just wasn't great.

 

[bramptonblade]

Surely the question will only be answered if and when Sharpie starts 3 or 4 games in a row. At the moment he hasn't had enough minutes for us to see if he can hack it. Personally I luv the bloke and his style of playing and would love for him to bag 10 goals in the prem for us. Nice to see Pinchy trawling for a reaction at every opportunity, makes me laugh!!!!
UTB!

 

[Pinchy]

Surely the question will only be answered if and when Sharpie starts 3 or 4 games in a row. At the moment he hasn't had enough minutes for us to see if he can hack it. Personally I luv the bloke and his style of playing and would love for him to bag 10 goals in the prem for us. Nice to see Pinchy trawling for a reaction at every opportunity, makes me laugh!!!!
UTB!

 

[Bladesman]

I think you are only seeing what you want to see. There is broad debate on this thread that doesn't suit those posters who come to the forum with a fixed agenda, whether that is "billy should start" or equally, "billy isn't good enough".

The answer is more complex and doesn't really suit the "fixated posters" that sometimes dominate debate on here. Perhaps that is why I appreciate it more than you

It is the trolls agenda:
1. Take a dig at fans regardless of the result of the match
2. Take a dig at certain players: Sharp and Fleck to get a reaction and belittle fans further
3. Claim to be the fountain of knowledge on football

 

[guancheblade]

We also need more game time for Freeman, I think we'd create more and look threatening with him running at teams. We spent an awful lot on him to not play him currently and he's the highest calibre of attacking mid that we could afford.

I think Freeman would have relished playing in front of that West Ham back four 2nd half, so many gaps and they allowed us to drive at them. Bread and butter for Luke that

Robinson in particular looks lost playing through the centre and doesn’t seem to be getting any better, yes he has pace but so did Luton Shelton and look how that turned out.

Robinson can only dream of having Shelton's pace! The suggestion Robinson has any pace at all is one of the biggest myths going around.