thing is max, the transfer window, although a horrible idea, can be quite good fun for fans, yet a huge portion of them take it all to heart and don't think about how a club actually operates within these boundaries. as goldeneadie points out above, its not just a case of bidding for a player and them signing - so many different things go into it all and the club will not just be ignoring this window - they will be working on potential transfers every day and probably were long before the window opened. problem is, potential transfers don't always come off
For all we know, and its possible not probable, that CH doesn't see a striker as the priority. But I think for supporters, the exciting players are strikers and to be quite honest we have been spoilt for the last three seasons with some exciting striking partenerships and exciting moments as goals go in in stoppage time etc. Goals are what people want and just like the media, some se a report about a player and want us to buy him irrespective of the manager or board's wants and wishes. To be honest, it's part of football. Go to Anfield and the atmosphere is electric. Totally biased toward Liverpool of course. But that is how they are. I think most City fans are more reflective and considered than that and will give the other team some appreciation. And in the same way, City fans give the manager credit for doing the right thing as well as doing a good job. But even amongst us on here who obviously enjoy debating every little thing, I'm sure all of us are itching for a striker to come in and bang in 30 a season. But in reality we know it won't happen but to some it keeps them on the edge of their seat thinking of a £20M striker coming in a getting us into the CL! Unfortunately my dream expired the day we sold the great Ron Davies to Southampton for peanuts. I knew then that my club would always struggle to keep or buy top class players.
good post redruth. by the way, hughton definitely see a striker as a priority, he's said so. doesn't mean we'll buy one but i don't think there's any doubt he's after one. personally i think we are more in need of a bit more creative spark from deeper and a wide left man than a centre forward! its creating the chances that needs the attention but as you say, people get more excited by a front man, or the thought of a new one anyway!
I am torn in this debate. I agree with the main argument that we should only bring in an addition to the squad if they improve the quality. But at the same time I am worried about injuries to our existing strike force. I was not a great fan of Wilbraham when he was signed, but in the words of PL he was brought in to do a job and I for one admitted I was wrong in questioning his signing, although I do maintain he did not add to the quality of the squad. When we signed Mark Bunn it was on the basis that he would stregthen the bench rather than the team and I think on the same basis it would be prudent if we could add a forward to the squad, even it was a sticking plaster solution to see us to the end of the season rather than a long term investment for the future.
I havent seen one post on this forum by a Norwich fan wanting any striker regardless of if they improve us. So with that in mind..who are these people this thread refers to?
sorry, should have explained that its not really aimed at anyone on this board - it was more a rant at people i've chatted to recently (in the barclay and pub beforehand) and the twitter army
If one or more srikers got injured then any replacement would strengthen the squad as such. But if you bring in a new striker to replace someone who isn't performing, then that is always a risk. Who has come under the most pressure in the Chelsea side. Torres. Surely he wasn't going to be a gamble even at £50M? but he has proved a big, big gamble. Apparently he was pretty anonymous last night again. Wilbraham was not my mist favourite player but he did strengthen the squad as a whole. But he didn't strengthen our striking department because he wasn't first or second choice. I think most people want us to strengthen the number one striking position not the squad. That is one big risk and one big amount to find in transfers and wages.
i disagree about torres. he was a massive gamble at the time! not just because of the ludicrous price tag but because of his form and injury record. he hadn't hit top form for more than a year before he was signed by chelsea. i'll happily admit i thought he'd do better than he has but it can't come as too much of a surprise that a guy whose form was affected so badly by injuries then struggles as he gets older. the owner bought him. i wonder which striker delia would buy if she was making the choice... would have to have some food pun in his name no doubt!
what happened to Alby? i don't see his name on the palace team sheet often - is he a squad member there? he certainly put effort in.
Of course if she can't get Lionel Eton Messi, she could go for Number two world footballer . . . Christiano Ronaldo McDonaldo
