One of my oft repeated mantras is that football is a simple game, you need defenders to defend, strikers to score and midfielders to join the team up. We have not had a strike force since the days of Bent, Gyan and Welbeck, not scoring goals and not having a clue resulted in the end of Bruce. I just thank God for MoN, IMHO we were relegation fodder when he arrived, below Wolves IIRC, and without strikers (Bendtner is only half a striker) he has got the team believing in itself and goals have come from all over the pitch. However without strikers that 'well' was going to eventually run dry and it has duly done so in the past few games but since we have 40 odd points we are safe. It does not look as if Ji or Wickham are going to make an impact this season and heavens knows about next, imho the verdict is still out on Campbell also. Now Mr Short back MoN for the recruitment of strikers in the summer and we can pray we find the right ones and look forward to next season with optimism
Good morning sunderpitt, am I forgiven yet for my 4-0 prediction. Strikers are like gold dust and yes its great to have midfielders who score but they should always be the icing on the cake, we are very lucky that our icing has saved us this season. I like Bendtner but a goal machine he is not, Sess is not an out and out striker and Campbell, Ji and Wickham cant be guaranteed anything next season. But hopefully Short and MON know that and will find a solution in the summer. In a drab game yesterday we would still have won if we had that poacher.
I agree about Cambell and Wickham, not convinced at all so far. As for Ji I can only assume he was signed for some sort of sponsorship opportunity cause he ain't and never will be a Premiership striker. MON gambled in January that we had enough to survive. He was right. Now the hard work begins over the summer, I have to say the noises coming from both MON and Ellis are very encouraging.
Bendtner is the best striker in the world - and he'll be the first one to tell you that ! Seriously - agree we need an out and out goalscorer - which we haven't had since Bent. Interesting to see quite a few ManUre fans questioning whether Wellbeck is good enough for them !
We need two possibly three strikers coming in next season. Fletcher. 10 league goals this year Yakubu. 16 league goals this year Odemwingie. 9 goals in 23 starts There are forwards out there that wouldst cost the earth and and a massive improvement on what we already have. Klasnic. 8 goals in 15 starts. Would be a good option for us as competition for the first pick. We could probably get all 4 for less than what we get for Gyan. I also think Mon could revitalize Kenwyne Jones career and with Stoke possibly still owing us money for him we could get him for a small fee. He is exactly the type of forward that Mon likes too
Yakubu probs 1-2m. Klasnic is 32 so 1m tops. Odemwingie 4-5m Fletcher 6m? 14m tops for the 4 (ballpark) Already got 6m for Gyan. Only take 8m further to equal the 14m. Do you think we'll sell Gyan for 8m or less?
Hard to say what his current team may offer..even if we get say £15m for him, 6 of which has already gone towards paying salaries so far etc.. I think your valuation of the 4 players you have mentioned is way of... Odemwinge 4-5, maybe try doubling that. Fletcher 6, maybe a bit more.. Yakubu, are his goals this season would be a steal at your valuation, but again may take a bit more.. Klasnic, no idea really,but a prem striker for 1m?....if that is all he is worth, maybe not what we need.
There was a mention of Odemwingie on the TV or in the press recently where it was suggested West Brom would sell him to fund a purchase of Andy Johnston IIRC? Is it just me or does that suggest he's not that highly regarded ? Could be just paper talk of course !
