Striker Watch.

[Woodwardfan]

In my small world there are only a certain number of sources to keep abreast of developments but I work very hard at it! S24SU is one of those avenues and a very good one too.

At this point in time of the close season I keenly await news of the biggest signing of the summer i.e. the main new striker, the number one man. Clough has given every indication that the main striker has yet to be signed and that he will lead a "strong strike force of four". It also appears that the other three are already in place - McNulty, Porter and Baxter. Opinions vary about the strength of that trio but there is no doubt the big impetus will come from the main man.

Personally I'm watching developments at Southampton and Derby. I reckon Clough has done the deal with a club and awaits something happening at that club before his target can be released. Southampton are about to appoint Koemann as manager and that is good news if Sharp is our target, as it is unlikely Koemann will wish to retain the lad. If Adkins had been reappointed for example, things might have been different, but the way seems clear now. As for Derby, maybe they are looking to sign a new striker before they release Sammon, but there is no sign of any movement yet.

They are the only two on my radar at this stage and of course the rumours may be wide of the mark, are there any others? It may be that both those players will be with us in due course and maybe Baxter is leaving us once the deals are done; that thought has only just struck me and would be logical in order to balance the squad. He's my favourite player so I'd be disappointed but I don't see him as a striker. Who are we to know? Indeed what's the point of starting a thread on it? Well, it's quiet in close season and it's nice to keep the forum ticking along, isn't it??!!

 

[blader]

It's Clough's most important signing no doubt. He has to get it spot on. Promoted teams usually score 70+ goals, as our current squad is capable of nowhere near that. It's got to be a 20+ goalscorer whoever the man is, he may not be counting Baxter as a striker though I suspect he is. Either way, this has to be the right man, not convinced he goes by the name Connor Sammon, but would be delighted with sharp.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Am I the only guy that would not be that impressed by signing Sharp - in the two spells he has spent with us he spent most of it either offside or on his arse - an he has no pace !
Yes he scored goals at Scunny and in his first spell at Donny but to be fair has looked pretty average in the last year - because he's a blade does not make him the answer to our striking problems !

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Am I the only guy that would not be that impressed by signing Sharp - in the two spells he has spent with us he spent most of it either offside or on his arse - an he has no pace !
Yes he scored goals at Scunny and in his first spell at Donny but to be fair has looked pretty average in the last year - because he's a blade does not make him the answer to our striking problems !

Blackwell had him running the channels, no wonder he was offside so much but that is not Cloughies style.

Sharp would be getting on to crosses from the wings so it would suit him better.

 

[Esablade]

No need to panic just yet, these things take time!...and Baxter's going nowhere fast!... I know some fans are not that keen on either Sharp or Sammon and question what difference would it make to the squad? Guess we'd have to ask Nigel!?..all I know is that money changes everything and we wouldn't even be talking about these two without the prince...well, I wonder who we'll end up with?

Springwatch..?
Oh sorry, striker-watch..

 

[Rossb123]

Baxter loves it at united, he won't be going anywhere. He was one of the big reasons behind Wallace signing, I'm not usually one that's ITK but my good friend is a friend of Baxter's (this doesn't mean I get to find out any inside info by the way but I do try every now and again).

 

[Droppingwell]

I am hopeful there are still 2 strikers to come in. I see Baxter as an attacking midfielder competing with Scougall for that role. Therefore 1 big signing and another striker signing in October time (?!) I believe Sammon may have been a target but only if Porter had not signed.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

It's Clough's most important signing no doubt. He has to get it spot on. Promoted teams usually score 70+ goals, as our current squad is capable of nowhere near that. It's got to be a 20+ goalscorer whoever the man is, he may not be counting Baxter as a striker though I suspect he is. Either way, this has to be the right man, not convinced he goes by the name Connor Sammon, but would be delighted with sharp.

Can I ask why? Given your grumbles about signing lesser standard players why would you be "delighted" with a player who's admitted he's lacking motivation, isn't overly blessed with pace and who's scored 12 goals in 61 games over the past two seasons?

 

[finlaytheblade]

maybe if clough cant get the striker he wants he may go into the loan market and get a young
premiership striker on a season or half season loan other clubs have found this works.
Diego hopefully will come to table this season and not forgetting ched hopefully as well

 

[wizadry]

Sammon not good enough,rich man's porter
Sharp not good enough,too slow,offside all the time because of his lack of pace and he doesn't seem to have the desire now

There has to be alot better options out there than these 2 players,personally i don't know what the obsession is with sammon and sharp

Assombolonga is better than these 2 put together,lets pay a fee and get out of this league,he propably wouldn't want as much wages as sammon and sharp either.

There is also mooney from leyton orient,very good all round player,now i wouldn't class these 2 ive mentioned as big and flashy players has some have put on here,but these 2 players would definately help us get out of this league and could play in the championship imo,where as sammon and sharp are clearly showing they can't play in the championship.

Now come on cloughy this will be the difference between us staying in this division or getting promoted but i don't think it needs me to tell him that.

 

[blader]

Can I ask why? Given your grumbles about signing lesser standard players why would you be "delighted" with a player who's admitted he's lacking motivation, isn't overly blessed with pace and who's scored 12 goals in 61 games over the past two seasons?

I thnk he would be effective in this team, score a lot of goals and is proven at a higher level. Would you not be happy with Sharp? Do you hve someone better in mind?

 

[Rodley]

Suspect it will be Sharp.

 

[Jehovah]

We are not going to get a bigger name than Sharp. Some fans have been moaning about our signings expecting more household names. If we don't get Sharp and instead sign someone no one has heard of, I reckon the same fans will moan they've never heard of him and our "investment" is bullshit.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We are not going to get a bigger name than Sharp. Some fans have been moaning about our signings expecting more household names. If we don't get Sharp and instead sign someone no one has heard of, I reckon the same fans will moan they've never heard of him and our "investment" is bullshit.

What the fuck was Clougie doing signing that Scougall fella?

 

[Darthblade]

It's Clough's most important signing no doubt. He has to get it spot on. Promoted teams usually score 70+ goals, as our current squad is capable of nowhere near that. It's got to be a 20+ goalscorer whoever the man is, he may not be counting Baxter as a striker though I suspect he is. Either way, this has to be the right man, not convinced he goes by the name Connor Sammon, but would be delighted with sharp.

Agree with you here .....
Sammon is not what we need now that we've signed Porter. We need a striker with pace and strength who is capable of 20+ goals per season and he doesn't need to be a household name, just consistent in this division !!

This, in my humble opinion, will be the signing that makes the difference between competing for automatic or trying for a play-off place, which is where we are at the moment with the current squad.
UTB & FTP

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I thnk he would be effective in this team, score a lot of goals and is proven at a higher level. Would you not be happy with Sharp? Do you hve someone better in mind?

Happy with Sharp is an interesting way to put it.
I don't think he is what we need, although we may be what he needs right now. He's 28, he will be expensive for a league one player, and he hasn't done anything in the past 24 months which would show he would be a success, therefore he would be an expensive gamble. That doesn't mean he wouldn't pay off, it could be the perfect fit. He falls back in love with the game and goes back to his Doncaster goals/games ratio, but he certainly wouldn't make me think we've gone up a level in the type of player we're attracting or the level we're playing at.

Alternatives I'd rather unearth a hungry young player coming through with something to prove, rather than one who's been sat no doing a lot and enjoying a rather large contract for the past few seasons. Continue to build the side as we've already done with no players who's attitudes aren't right. If you me to want a name from a higher division, similar contractual position and who'd be a similar risk to Billy I'd go for someone like Delfouneso. He's the type of forward we're missing, Quick, technically good, able to run the channels or hold the ball up all stuff Billy isn't. He's certainly lost his way needs some direction and belief but he's 5 years younger, suits our style better and all the above I think Clough could give him, and he doesn't have the emotional baggage Billy does.
This doesn't mean I'm against Billy signing, we would be better with him in the squad than not, but I'm not even convinced he'd be an automatic starter in his current form/frame of mind.

 

[Hodgyman]

What the fuck was Clougie doing signing that Scougall fella?

Scougall who?
PS
I bet that we could get Rooney on a free after the world cup finishes for England :-(

 

[blader]

Happy with Sharp is an interesting way to put it.
I don't think he is what we need, although we may be what he needs right now. He's 28, he will be expensive for a league one player, and he hasn't done anything in the past 24 months which would show he would be a success, therefore he would be an expensive gamble. That doesn't mean he wouldn't pay off, it could be the perfect fit. He falls back in love with the game and goes back to his Doncaster goals/games ratio, but he certainly wouldn't make me think we've gone up a level in the type of player we're attracting or the level we're playing at.

Alternatives I'd rather unearth a hungry young player coming through with something to prove, rather than one who's been sat no doing a lot and enjoying a rather large contract for the past few seasons. Continue to build the side as we've already done with no players who's attitudes aren't right. If you me to want a name from a higher division, similar contractual position and who'd be a similar risk to Billy I'd go for someone like Delfouneso. He's the type of forward we're missing, Quick, technically good, able to run the channels or hold the ball up all stuff Billy isn't. He's certainly lost his way needs some direction and belief but he's 5 years younger, suits our style better and all the above I think Clough could give him, and he doesn't have the emotional baggage Billy does.
This doesn't mean I'm against Billy signing, we would be better with him in the squad than not, but I'm not even convinced he'd be an automatic starter in his current form/frame of mind.

And whilst we'd all love us to unearth a hdden gem, I think everyone realises it's a risk we just can't afford to take this season. I'd love us to just pluck some kid out of the blue square prem and him to bag 25 goals, but pre-season we should be taking no chances. Sign someone who has score consistently for a lot of years at this level or above, and I believe Sharp would do with a consistent run in a good league 1 side. Delfouneso has scores 12 goals in his career (about 130 games) according to wiki. I think we'd do well to find anyone available who could match Billy's record of 135 in 321 (according to wiki) which is mightily impressive by all accounts. I certainly think he's the best of the names banded around.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

And whilst we'd all love us to unearth a hdden gem, I think everyone realises it's a risk we just can't afford to take this season. I'd love us to just pluck some kid out of the blue square prem and him to bag 25 goals, but pre-season we should be taking no chances. Sign someone who has score consistently for a lot of years at this level or above, and I believe Sharp would do with a consistent run in a good league 1 side. Delfouneso has scores 12 goals in his career (about 130 games) according to wiki. I think we'd do well to find anyone available who could match Billy's record of 135 in 321 (according to wiki) which is mightily impressive by all accounts. I certainly think he's the best of the names banded around.

But you talk about taking no chances, and then say you want a player who's scored 16 goals in 61 appearances during the past 2 seasons who's admitted he's lost his love for the game. That's taking a chance, and if he hadn't come through our academy you wouldn't be going anywhere near him. I'd love him to come back and get us 30 goals this season but it's a risk.
This is completely in stark contrast to your previous posts about buying established higher league players while deriding those we've brought in. It would seem that you are happy for us to take a risk on expensive players on the slide, rather than hungry and cheaper youngsters on the way up. I would much prefer the latter to the former. I only used Delfouneso as an example of if I was going to take a risk on a falling player from a higher league I go for one who plays in a way we are crying out for, and who's young with something to prove. Both points are totally opposite of what we'd get with Billy.

 

[sheffielder]

I think what people are missing with Billy is that he hasn't had a proper pre-season with games in about 2/3 years. On the last day of every transfer window he is sent on loan somewhere. Interesting that in his first spell he was good with Doncaster, however with a negative manager like Dickov he struggled. He may have only scored 12 goals in the last 2 years, but that's not really a true reflection on what he can do. He's had a tough couple of years and needs someone like Nigel to turn him around. If it can be done for Flynn and Murphy then why not Billy?

I personally think he will be motivated to come back where a team is already built to service his attributes. Is it his fault he has never really had chance to show us his skill set when has has been here before?

Delfouneso full stats for 3 seasons

Blackpool 41 appearances 6 goals (12-13)
Blackpool 11 appearances 0 goals (13-14)
Coventry 14 appearances 2 goals (2014)

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I think you are missing my point. I listed Delfouneso as a player who I'd go for if I had to go for someone who'd played at a higher level and was on the slide so would maybe come to us.
I did qualify it by saying at the very beginning I would much rather us target young unknown players than either.
The point is also being lost that Billy doesn't resolve any of the problems we currently have with our forward line, namely the lack of pace or a player who is comfortable holding the ball up and working the channels.

 

[blader]

But you talk about taking no chances, and then say you want a player who's scored 16 goals in 61 appearances during the past 2 seasons who's admitted he's lost his love for the game. That's taking a chance, and if he hadn't come through our academy you wouldn't be going anywhere near him. I'd love him to come back and get us 30 goals this season but it's a risk.
This is completely in stark contrast to your previous posts about buying established higher league players while deriding those we've brought in. It would seem that you are happy for us to take a risk on expensive players on the slide, rather than hungry and cheaper youngsters on the way up. I would much prefer the latter to the former. I only used Delfouneso as an example of if I was going to take a risk on a falling player from a higher league I go for one who plays in a way we are crying out for, and who's young with something to prove. Both points are totally opposite of what we'd get with Billy.

Even 16 in 61 appearances (selective statistics) is still pretty good as that is all at a higher level than we are currently at. He has consistently scored goals over his career, is a good age, and will most certainly have passion for the club. I'm just going on every rumour so far (however unfounded many have been) and thought Sharp was head and shoulders above any other option. Forums ofcourse provide opinions. and it is my opinion that Sharp is the best (supposedly) realistic target available. If you don't, then fair enough. I'm so sick of league 1 I don't want to hear any sounds of 'building' or 'progression' after 4 years in League 1 I want us to sign a player who is good now and can get us up this season. We have to get up this year!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Even 16 in 61 appearances (selective statistics) is still pretty good as that is all at a higher level than we are currently at. He has consistently scored goals over his career,

But not for the past two years and they aren't selective figures they are a good reflection of where he is right now.

is a good age, and will most certainly have passion for the club.

What's this based on? He's 28, which should be around his peak, although again using the stats you don't like, his peak form ain't that impressive.

I want us to sign a player who is good now and can get us up this season. We have to get up this year!

..but there is nothing to suggest Billy is the player who will do this. He isn't even the style of forward we are missing or have the skills to be an asset to our counter attacking style. If he comes, and I'll be happy if he does, we will still need a main forward bringing in to start for us.

 

[Fiery Blade]

We are not going to get a bigger name than Sharp. Some fans have been moaning about our signings expecting more household names. If we don't get Sharp and instead sign someone no one has heard of, I reckon the same fans will moan they've never heard of him and our "investment" is bullshit.

Assombolonga is a much bigger name than Sharp - seven letters bigger !!

 

[Fiery Blade]

I thnk he would be effective in this team, score a lot of goals and is proven at a higher level. Would you not be happy with Sharp? Do you hve someone better in mind?

How can you say he would be effective in this team when you've already said that we are nowhere near as strong as we were last season ?
Can't have it both ways !

 

[sheffielder]

But not for the past two years and they aren't selective figures they are a good reflection of where he is right now.

It's a reflection on his circumstances, not ability. How many loans has he had since joining Southampton? Do you not think settling with a manager like Clough would have a Murphy like effect on him?

He needs to leave Southampton before pre-season and find a home, because this quick, prolific striker who runs the channels is not joining us anytime soon.

Seriously, who else is there?

 

[sheffielder]

How can you say he would be effective in this team when you've already said that we are nowhere near as strong as we were last season ?
Can't have it both ways !

You're just changing the argument on Blader. Even if it's not as strong as last season, why couldn't Sharp be effective?

 

[blader]

How can you say he would be effective in this team when you've already said that we are nowhere near as strong as we were last season ?
Can't have it both ways !

They're two separate points. We currently aren't as good as last year, but he would still be effective in this system in my opinion. Sharp failed at Blades last time on account of the job he was asked to do, not his ability.

 

[Ted Danson]

It's a reflection on his circumstances, not ability. How many loans has he had since joining Southampton? Do you not think settling with a manager like Clough would have a Murphy like effect on him?

He needs to leave Southampton before pre-season and find a home, because this quick, prolific striker who runs the channels is not joining us anytime soon.

Seriously, who else is there?

Doesnt that kind of suggest that he hasnt been good enough at several clubs though or one of them would have snapped him up. Id have to agree that hes not the type of striker we should be looking at.

 

[Pinchy]

Chris O'Grady is the man we should sign.

He has presence; is significantly quicker than the likes of Sharp; leads the line well, with or without a partner; brings welcome height and strength; scored 15 a league above us last season.

Can the S2 Bringembacks tell us why we should prefer Bladey Bill?