World Class Strikers

I notice all the comments about Best, just wondered how the first 3 matches of the season compare against the £85million contribution of Caroll and Torres as Liverpool and Chelsea are yet to see them actually do what they bought them for, as always as proved by the top teams it's not just the strikers but more importantly the contribution from mid-field and the goals that have always been critical from the likes of Taylor S & R and Coloccini.

 

That's a good question and good point – it tends to be that with those big price tags you're also buying some faith and confidence that they will do the business. It's that classic case of whatever the current form is like, the expectation that they will come good because they are apparently worth £50m is always there.
Ok so normally perceived market value does indicate ability, proven track record, experience and potential but it's not always 100% guaranteed is it?

I wouldn't want to compare Leon Best to those players, both are very highly rated for good reason and Leon has a way to go before that, but we'll see. He will definitely need good service and support from the other players though and can't be expected to shoulder all the goal-getting responsibilities...

 

I'd be quite happy if Besty trundles along and gets 10 or so goals a season and doesn't hit the headlines and doesn't acquire a massive price tag (not saying he will like either). I'd rather he not get noticed so we don't sell him.

 

Yeah true, and it's just about him keeping fit and being allowed to stay in the side with a bit of faith from Pardew and the fans too. I think 10 goals should be achievable for him, once the midfield hits stride.
He is a bit of a poacher and if you think we've got guys like Marveaux, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Obertan and even Jonas that will at least try and test keepers for others to mop up any parries, he's the man for that. Just look at the first one against Fulham last weekend.

Throw in goals like his second one last Sunday and he looks capable...

 

This 100%

 

Thing is if we're playing a 5 man midfield where everyone is fairly creative barring Tiote (sorry Cheick!) all we need is a poacher to stick them in the net. The fact that he's quite a big poacher rather than a midget gem like Owen, Phillips or Jeffers(!) just makes him more useful. I have faith in Best and Ba.

 

True. Playing Best gives us that fox in the box man left to tap in the spills from long shots from the likes of Cabaye and Jonas. And most likely Ba too, he likes a good shot on goal really. Not the best at running through defences with the ball, but knows where he is in the box, and knows where the goal is, and that's all that matters!

What're everyone's opinions on Roux? Heard we were in for him at one point? Could return for him in January - would prefer him over Maiga to be honest - still not sold on Maiga!

 

I still don't think Pardew knows what his best XI is, Shola and Ba started the first, Shola alone for the second, Best and Lovenkrands for the third. I think Best's performance has established him as first choice, Ben Arfa will probably play just off him when he's back. In the meantime I'd like to see Sammy playing in behind, if I was picking the team for QPR I'd probably have something like:

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As for Carroll and Torres, I don't think Carroll has looked the same player for Liverpool because, like you say, the service hasn't been right. I can't help but wonder if Dalglish actually came to see him play for us, or just saw his goals against Arsenal and Blackburn on MotD and assumed we just humped long balls to him. I always thought he was most effective picking the ball up from deeper or attacking crosses. Torres has looked lively, but is lacking that goalscoring touch, and I think Villas Boas like Pardew, and probably Dalglish too, doesn't know what his best team is. I suspect Abramovic is insisting on Torres' inclusion in the starting line up, and I'm sure Villas Boas would rather play Drogba in the centre of the front three, as I think Ancelotti did as well.

 

Wasn't really keen on anyone we were in for to be honest. I think we'd be better off scouting the South American leagues for a striker than Ligue 1, they have full backs who'd probably manage 10 goals in France.

 

The irony is Best has more goals than Carroll and Torres combined in 2011.

 

I like that team, with HBA replacing Sammy when he's fit, and Marv coming in for Obertan if necesary.

 

I definitely think Marveaux should be starting ahead of Obertan once he's match fit. Obertan is still an impact player at th moment while he works on his all round game.

 

I think the reason why Torres and Carroll haven't set the world alight is because they don't fit into their teams. Liverpool don't play long ball game so Carroll doesn't fit in and Chelsea don't seem to give Torres the service he needs either

Basically, Chelsea bought Torres as it would be an extra big name in their team - they didn't even need him as they have Drogba, Anelka etc. Liverpool were desperate to replace him and replaced him with the inform Andy Carroll at that time. Neither team really thought about wheter they would actually fit into their teams

 

Torres has looked good this season so far. He'll be pushing 20goals this year IMO. Between him aguero and suarez for top scorer

 

Wrong

Dzeko will be top scorer

 

Torres is looking good this season though to be fair. Carroll on the other hand, doesn't look the same player, his heart doesn't seem to be in it and he isn't getting the crosses he needs.

 

I agree with this. I think Carroll wants to come back home

Pity we don't want the **** haha

 

I'm sorry guys but I went to Chelsea vs Norwich last weekend (friend of mine's kid is in their academy - prodigious btw!!) and Torres was absolute dogsh**e. Watched him a few times this season and he is no closer to his best form

 

Dzeko could be a shout, reckon aguero will get more than him though

 

Stoke on the first day he looked quite on his game but I agree from what I saw against Norwich he was ****

Wonder what it is thats making him like this - you don't become a bad player over night.