My kingdom for a Striker!!....

[BigBed]

We really need to spend on a proper striker in January, we look desperate, I'd welcome back Ched tomorrow!
Clarke's just not up to it this season, Mcgoldrick seems to have signed his contract and then thought "thanks for that, time to relax".
Sharp has to start!!
And we really missed Freeman tonight, I'm sorry, but Baldock isn't as good as Freeman!
And what's happened to Norwood??, he seems to have backed of too?, it's all a bit odd really.

 

[bromtom]

We really need to spend on a proper striker in January, we look desperate, I'd welcome back Ched tomorrow!
Clarke's just not up to it this season, Mcgoldrick seems to have signed his contract and then thought "thanks for that, time to relax".
Sharp has to start!!
And we really missed Freeman tonight, I'm sorry, but Baldock isn't as good as Freeman!
And what's happened to Norwood??, he seems to have backed of too?, it's all a bit odd really.

Disagree about your summary but agree with your main point, we definitely need a proper make something from not a lot striker in January.

McG has been great generally, Clarke hasn't had a chance get really.

Washington just seems to be a faster version of a Leon type striker.

Did miss Freeman though, but not being in the squad suggests it was enforced.

 

[@thelane]

We really need to spend on a proper striker in January, we look desperate, I'd welcome back Ched tomorrow!
Clarke's just not up to it this season, Mcgoldrick seems to have signed his contract and then thought "thanks for that, time to relax".
Sharp has to start!!
And we really missed Freeman tonight, I'm sorry, but Baldock isn't as good as Freeman!
And what's happened to Norwood??, he seems to have backed of too?, it's all a bit odd really.

Agree about Freeman, Clarke and Sharp....Not ched he’s worse than all of them on a one of his rare good days

 

[United Aren't Back.]

We really need to spend on a proper striker in January, we look desperate, I'd welcome back Ched tomorrow!
Clarke's just not up to it this season, Mcgoldrick seems to have signed his contract and then thought "thanks for that, time to relax".
Sharp has to start!!
And we really missed Freeman tonight, I'm sorry, but Baldock isn't as good as Freeman!
And what's happened to Norwood??, he seems to have backed of too?, it's all a bit odd really.

Your third line , ahem, ruined things for me somewhat..

 

[Smirth]

Wouldn’t mind having Jutkiewicz from them. Was a man mountain today.

 

[BigBed]

Disagree about your summary but agree with your main point, we definitely need a proper make something from not a lot striker in January.

McG has been great generally, Clarke hasn't had a chance get really.

Washington just seems to be a faster version of a Leon type striker.

Did miss Freeman though, but not being in the squad suggests it was enforced.

"Clarke hasn't had a chance"!!??? He's had nothing but, Wilder kept him in the position when others deserved a chance??
I think that there needs to be more training ground shooting sessions, there must be a reason we struggle to score week in week out?

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

McG is probably our most talented striker and certainly made more of an impact when he came on. Sadly his goal tally doesn't equate to that talent, which is a shame.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Chickens are coming home to roost on this one. What can anyone expect when the combined age of your 3 main strikers is about 100.

Even the Amateur Football Manager can see this...

 

[SwissBlade]

Chickens are coming home to roost on this one. What can anyone expect when the combined age of your 3 main strikers is about 100.

Even the Amateur Football Manager can see this...

And if/ when Washington starts banging them in? Will you add him to the list of strikers?

Last season the retirement home strike force managed 30 goals didn’t it - billy, Leon, clayton?

 

[S8blade]

Before the game i was watching the strikers/forwards do shooting practice into the makeshift goals they put up...and out of all of them only Billy was hitting the net. Leon didnt put the ball in the net once..woodburn was woefull..as soon as i saw that i knew it was going to be one of those nights!!

 

[Revolution]

And if/ when Washington starts banging them in? Will you add him to the list of strikers?

Last season the retirement home strike force managed 30 goals didn’t it - billy, Leon, clayton?

37 actually. Impressive. If Clarke gets 19 this year I will be surprised.

I think that's 1 goal we've managed in the 3 games Sharp didn't start...

 

[Caseh]

Before the game i was watching the strikers/forwards do shooting practice into the makeshift goals they put up...and out of all of them only Billy was hitting the net. Leon didnt put the ball in the net once..woodburn was woefull..as soon as i saw that i knew it was going to be one of those nights!!

Tbf, I'm at the other end of the pitch and the opposition players are rarely better... Birmingham were particularly good at it, and they've got 5 all season...

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Before the game i was watching the strikers/forwards do shooting practice into the makeshift goals they put up...and out of all of them only Billy was hitting the net. Leon didnt put the ball in the net once..woodburn was woefull..as soon as i saw that i knew it was going to be one of those nights!!

Did that at The Qpr game and the shooting was, as you say, woeful. Sharp was the best and then Woodburn. Clarke was terrible and I don’t think that he hit the target.

 

[snootyfenooty]

And if/ when Washington starts banging them in? Will you add him to the list of strikers?

Last season the retirement home strike force managed 30 goals didn’t it - billy, Leon, clayton?

Washington won't start banging them in. What I've seen of him so far doesn't inspire me, he looks like another Lavery in his style of play.

Billy and Leon can't be depended on forever, they're going to drop off a cliff anytime soon. People's expectations of them are way out of kilter as to where they are in life. Billy's maybe good for a dozen this year but I reckon Leon's Indian Summer has expired. Leon, Billy, McG & Washington won't get 20 goals between them this season.

Sounds harsh but I'm trying to be objective.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Spot on snootyfenooty.

 

[S8blade]

Tbf, I'm at the other end of the pitch and the opposition players are rarely better... Birmingham were particularly good at it, and they've got 5 all season...

I just think if you cant hit the target with no pressure on you ..then it spells trouble..i saw that and i just thought we are going to struggle to score tonight...shooting practice needed.. but having said that we didnt really create much either.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Speaking of Ched , the general consensus from the Cod army is that he's a class above League 1, but, injured at the moment.......

 

[kingcurrie]

We definitely missed the boat signing a decent striker in the transfer window . Either because we wouldn't pay the transfer fee or the wages required to get the quality player we needed . Two frees in instead - what can you expect ? McGoldrick hasn't looked too bad to be fair but he just isn't finishing . And it's too early to judge Washington although he was woeful last night . But these are just stopgap signings - not the real solution . We need to shell out some of that Brooks money in January - but it might be too late for this season by then .

 

[Jan Age]

can we all just agree that we missed the boat on at least 1 great striker that we needed.

Chris changed strategy early in the window and decided to get 2 cheap options in the hope Leon gets 6, Billy gets 10, Washington gets 4 and McG gets 4 (or any combination between them) between now and Jan that's 24 goals - if you had two strikers on 12 in Jan you would be happy.

unfortunately so far only Billy is anywhere near hitting his target.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

can we all just agree that we missed the boat on at least 1 great striker that we needed.

Chris changed strategy early in the window and decided to get 2 cheap options in the hope Leon gets 6, Billy gets 10, Washington gets 4 and McG gets 4 (or any combination between them) between now and Jan that's 24 goals - if you had two strikers on 12 in Jan you would be happy.

unfortunately so far only Billy is anywhere near hitting his target.

What worries me is that he seems to be waiting on Hogan who still hasn't kicked a ball this season.

Every team is looking for this kind of player as they are invariably the difference and the problem is, we can't compete in this League fee/wages wise let alone the league above. We are likely, therefore to end up with the type we've already got or maybe unproven youngsters such as Woodburn so there is no easy way forward, unless we go mad on the money front which isn't going to happen.

 

[SwissBlade]

Washington won't start banging them in. What I've seen of him so far doesn't inspire me, he looks like another Lavery in his style of play.

Billy and Leon can't be depended on forever, they're going to drop off a cliff anytime soon. People's expectations of them are way out of kilter as to where they are in life. Billy's maybe good for a dozen this year but I reckon Leon's Indian Summer has expired. Leon, Billy, McG & Washington won't get 20 goals between them this season.

Sounds harsh but I'm trying to be objective.

Ok, but lets look at the objective side: Our strikeforce, last season hit 37 goals.
Billy - 13
Leon - 19
Clayton - 5

Whether the strikers get the same level this year is not objective, but subjective. Blades Analytics and Beans have already said that Leon was in a purple patch and the stats suggest this.

For what its worth, my thoughts are this:
Billy - 15-20
Leon - 10
McG - 10
Washington - Not seen him enough: Villa 9 mins, Bristol C 22 mins and his one start last night 61 mins, a total of 92 mins (plus stoppages) in a blades shirt.

Basically don't write them off because of age, when the stats from last season show that the old uns can get goals

 

[SwissBlade]

I should add that Leon and McG will be 5-10. posted too quick before i read it properly!

 

[snootyfenooty]

Ok, but lets look at the objective side: Our strikeforce, last season hit 37 goals.
Billy - 13
Leon - 19
Clayton - 5

Whether the strikers get the same level this year is not objective, but subjective. Blades Analytics and Beans have already said that Leon was in a purple patch and the stats suggest this.

For what its worth, my thoughts are this:
Billy - 15-20
Leon - 10
McG - 10
Washington - Not seen him enough: Villa 9 mins, Bristol C 22 mins and his one start last night 61 mins, a total of 92 mins (plus stoppages) in a blades shirt.

Basically don't write them off because of age, when the stats from last season show that the old uns can get goals

What most people are assuming is that because Billy and Leon are only a year older than last year there's no reason they can't repeat last years feats. So by that logic, assuming they do, then there's no reason they can't repeat it again next season. And the one after and the one after that and so on ad infinitum. At their age, their best years are behind them and that means they're in decline. At some point the decline will become a tailspin and they'll be finished. That's not a prediction, that's life as a footballer, especially a striker and it's not a criticism of Leon and Billy, more a criticism of people's unrealistic expectations of them. That you've got Billy to score more than last season kinda highlights my point. No chance.

 

[BigBed]

37 actually. Impressive. If Clarke gets 19 this year I will be surprised.

I think that's 1 goal we've managed in the 3 games Sharp didn't start...

If Clarke gets 9 il be suprised!

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Ok, but lets look at the objective side: Our strikeforce, last season hit 37 goals.
Billy - 13
Leon - 19
Clayton - 5

Whether the strikers get the same level this year is not objective, but subjective. Blades Analytics and Beans have already said that Leon was in a purple patch and the stats suggest this.

For what its worth, my thoughts are this:
Billy - 15-20
Leon - 10
McG - 10
Washington - Not seen him enough: Villa 9 mins, Bristol C 22 mins and his one start last night 61 mins, a total of 92 mins (plus stoppages) in a blades shirt.

Basically don't write them off because of age, when the stats from last season show that the old uns can get goals

If Clarke and McGoldrick both get ten goals each I'll have the Wednesday badge tattooed on my forehead.

 

[SwissBlade]

What most people are assuming is that because Billy and Leon are only a year older than last year there's no reason they can't repeat last years feats. So by that logic, assuming they do, then there's no reason they can't repeat it again next season. And the one after and the one after that and so on ad infinitum. At their age, their best years are behind them and that means they're in decline. At some point the decline will become a tailspin and they'll be finished. That's not a prediction, that's life as a footballer, especially a striker and it's not a criticism of Leon and Billy, more a criticism of people's unrealistic expectations of them. That you've got Billy to score more than last season kinda highlights my point. No chance.

I take your point, but thats assuming that nothing else changes or has changed from last season. With Billy though these were my thoughts:
- He has 4 goals in 8 games that we have played this season
- He takes penalties when he plays
- He'll play more games. With Leon unlikely to hit the same levels as last year i think this provides the opportunity for more games
- Billy is leaner, looks sharper and more clinical
- His game doesn't rely on pace, he's an in the box finisher
- We have more creativity in central Midfield - Norwood and Fleck gelling, Duffy in front of them, but also with Freeman looking to play a bigger role down the right, with the potential for Johnson to play down the Left, we have a better supply into the box

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Speaking of Ched , the general consensus from the Cod army is that he's a class above League 1, but, injured at the moment.......

Fuck me.
Chedwyn injured?
The cods didn't expect that I presume?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

What most people are assuming is that because Billy and Leon are only a year older than last year there's no reason they can't repeat last years feats. So by that logic, assuming they do, then there's no reason they can't repeat it again next season. And the one after and the one after that and so on ad infinitum. At their age, their best years are behind them and that means they're in decline. At some point the decline will become a tailspin and they'll be finished. That's not a prediction, that's life as a footballer, especially a striker and it's not a criticism of Leon and Billy, more a criticism of people's unrealistic expectations of them. That you've got Billy to score more than last season kinda highlights my point. No chance.

And the reason for the heightened expectations is that they literally are all we've got, just like last season. It just isn't going to happen again.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I take your point, but thats assuming that nothing else changes or has changed from last season. With Billy though these were my thoughts:
- He has 4 goals in 8 games that we have played this season
- He takes penalties when he plays
- He'll play more games. With Leon unlikely to hit the same levels as last year i think this provides the opportunity for more games
- Billy is leaner, looks sharper and more clinical
- His game doesn't rely on pace, he's an in the box finisher
- We have more creativity in central Midfield - Norwood and Fleck gelling, Duffy in front of them, but also with Freeman looking to play a bigger role down the right, with the potential for Johnson to play down the Left, we have a better supply into the box

Maybe. But Wilders got to play him ahead of Leon first

 

[8lade]

Not ched he’s worse than all of them on a one of his rare good days

That statement is simply crap, he's no Sharp and McGoldrick is the most talented striker we have just needs to start knocking them in but Evan's is scoring which Clarke isn't and I refer you to the QPR fans views on Washington 'never looks like he's going to score' (which I concur with having seen his international performance).

We definitely missed the boat signing a decent striker in the transfer window .

can we all just agree that we missed the boat on at least 1 great striker that we needed.

No because we couldn't afford one. If that's the criteria I miss the boat on buying a decent car, a decent house and fuck it! Why not? I missed buying a boat too.