I thought it might be worth speculating if we'll be bringing in a third striker option and if we do, what sort of player that would be. If we agree that Ross Stewart and Luis "Hemir" Semedo are the only true centre forwards in the senior squad, it's realistic that we could be looking to add one more. It also looks like we'll be waiting until late September or early October before Ross Stewart will be back in training and you can add at least a couple of weeks onto that before he could even be considered for the match day squad considering that amount of time he has been out in the last 12 months. With Semedo, although he's an exciting prospect who could hit the ground running we should also be mindful that this is his debut season in football, he's in a new country and has to adapt to a new style of football. There is a realistic chance that he might take a little time to be ready for the rigours of week-in-week-out English football. Looking at the current u21 squad we've got Max Thompson, Harry Gardiner and Timur Tutirov. I'm under the assumption that whilst all of those are considered prospects, they're not considered close to being first team ready. So what sort of player would we be looking at? Firstly, it would likely need to be a player who is willing to be the third striker, third strikers in teams that play 1 centre forward barely touch a dozen appearances, sometimes much less. Budget wise I'd not expect us to dish out much cash here unless we're looking at another young striker with a big future. However I don't think this is the route we'll go. Considering Bailey Wright has already gone, Batth has been linked with a move away, Corry Evans is still out and there are whispers that Stoke want Pritchard, it's entirely plausible that we could look to bring in an older player with a reputation for professionalism to come into the squad. In my opinion if we do decide to go back into the market, it is that sort of signing I'd expect the club to make, additionally I'd also expect to see that happen close to the closure of the transfer window when clubs are panicking and trying to offload players for cheap, free or loan (to get wages off the books). So which sort of players fall into that category? Here are a few: Billy Sharp (Free Agent). Cauley Woodrow (Luton), Loan or free or nominal fee. Charlie Wyke (Wigan), Loan, free or nominal fee. CONTROVERSIAL Gary Madine (Free Agent). Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield), Loan or free. Martyn Waghorn (Free Agent). Sam Smith (Free Agent). Tom Eaves (Rotherham), Loan or free. Tyler Walker (Free Agent). I understand that the counter to these suggestions is most likely that they're not good enough and that we would need a much better 3rd choice striker, please keep in mind players will not come to play a meagre amount of games unless they're being compensated more than they can get elsewhere. Having a £10K-a-week striker play 10 games a season is poor business.
Think if we sign a third striker it will be another youngster a la Semedo rather than an experienced player.
Considering Bailey Wright has already gone, Batth has been linked with a move away, Corry Evans is still out and there are whispers that Stoke want Pritchard, it's entirely plausible that we could look to bring in an older player with a reputation for professionalism to come into the squad. Well, that's my argument.
In all honesty getting Billy Sharpe in with the players we have around him he would probably bang in as many as Ross but is he not about 60 now
I think we will sign older players but they have to be quality older players. I know you were just making suggestions but none of the players above are good enough Ideally the 3rd striker could also play a wider role if needed
We look packed in midfield mind; Jobe, Embo, O'Nien, Ba, Ekwah, Dan Neil, Pritch, Matete and then we've got Corry Evans to come back. We'd need one or two to go before brining one in IMO.
I don’t think they see Embo, O’Nien, Ba, Pritchard or Jobe as one of those midfield two tho. players who can play as the midfield two we just have Neil, Ekwah, Evans and Matete.
Oh, I think throughout the 46 league season we'll likely see all kinds of midfield combinations due to suspensions, injuries and loss of form. I'm sure this is how Mowbray would view it.
I don't disagree, but I think the case I've laid out is solid and explains why, I wish I had a spoonful of sugar to offer those who don't like it.
I wouldn’t have any problem with BW as a third striker if it’s short term, but it isn’t going to happen mate
In my opinion, any ‘experienced’ player we bring in has to be a player that is able to play in the league above still. Batth, Pritch and Evans were all brought in while in League One and all 3 didn’t need to make the drop down and all 3 have shown they can cut it in the championship. A player isn’t experienced just because of how old they are, Wyke for example isn’t exactly a player our young lads could look to while we are in a tough run of games in a championship promotion charge, i’d argue some of our young lads are more experienced.
Yeh this. I think if we brought in an experienced striker it would be as first choice or at least somebody to compete for first choice.
Gary Lineker is also an experienced striker. Quality is the first requirement, not experience. If they're not good enough to contribute, their experience has no value.
Not for me, thanks. That's like a list of Sunderland yester-year wannabies. I'd prefer to take a youngster from the u23/u21's
This. Whilst I get the thought process of the article they are all gash or done. For me, Maja is sitting there. He’s had some canny experience and he’s also got some ability. He’s capable of being first 11 at this level comfortably. Maja would make absolute sense to me. **** the history the 2 Ronnie’s to blame for that.
