Agreed, it has been difficult for any of the strikers playing the lone role, but most of the time they have not really displayed much quality either. You can play out of position, but still demonstrate all the qualities that carrabuh listed; not seen much of it this year
If we go down, I think he'll stay because he'll be cheap, and physical characteristics seem more important in the championship. If we survive, I think it's tougher, as I see other areas as priorities, and we may not have the money left for a second striker better than Holt or Becchio. According to the telegraph* we spent ~£13m last summer, plus a small amount in January, and maybe some (all?) of the money towards RvW. Based on that, we've maybe got £20m, £25m max to spend this summer? I think we really need a LW, CAM and a DM who are a class above our current squad in those areas. Assuming they cost more the £3.5m we paid for any of the current squad, we'd probably be looking at £12-15m maybe to make noticeably better signings. Add in Garrido, a CB and another winger (a Redmond+Davies double swoop would be ~£6m according to transfermarkt, and Birmingham possibly can't hold out for much more) and I'd say that's our budget likely to be gone. Any extra money would have to come from player sales. I can see us making a small amount on Surman, Fox, Jackson, Barnett (if his contract hasn't expired) and perhaps Elliott Bennett, but probably not enough to sign a decent striker (ie better than Becchio). In a (more) ideal world, Becchio goes too and we use all that money to sign a striker between RvW and Holt in ability, with Carlton Morris the 4th option if needed. I think more likely is Becchio stays and we sign Kamara to replace Jackson. TL;DR...I don't think Kamara is the way forward, but to make significant improvements elsewhere in the squad might leave us too short of cash to sign anyone much better, and at least he's comfortable here. *I'm not entirely convinced their figures are accurate, as I was under the impression we didn't break our transfer record of £3.5m, but they've got Bassong listed at £5.5m - but it'll do as a starting point.
Re: Bassong. I believe that figure is correct but will be paid in instalments and is subject to clauses such as appearances, achievements, international caps etc. As such, it is probable that as of yet we haven't paid above £3.5 million but probably will do in time.
I think it was Munky who said it was a "flash in the pan signing", (apologies if I am wrong on who said that), but I think he was bang on. I like the guy, I think he is a great ambassador for his country and the fact he spends a lot of time talking about them is credit to him. But he is a place in the 25 man squad and I don't know whether he'll warrant that place in our team should we stay in the Prem.
No from me.Not enough quality and looks knackered 10 minutes in to the second half of all games I have seen him. Nice guy and tries hard but not Prem. standard. Impact player at best a la Everton, which is what I would use him for for the rest of the season.
If he can score a couple in the next 3 games (his loan finishes after the villa game I believe) and couple this with some reasonable performances then yes. Otherwise I can't say we've seen enough to make us think he will be what we need (shame as he wins a lot in the air but that alone won't do)
From th comments it Looks like I'm pretty much alone in saying yes to this. Out of 8 games, he has single handedly turned one game (everton) on its head- that translates to about 5 match winning performances in a 40 match season. Ok, his goals to game ratio is poor, but so is everyone's in our 'not-much-of a strikeforce' strikeforce. He is affordable; versatile; enthusiastic; quick and good in the air. We shouldn't build a team around him, but I think he is a decent squad option.
I think he could be a useful squad player, IMO more useful than Jackson in the prem (has his pace but with greater strength and aerial ability). Have him on the bench as an impact substitute, when we are chasing games i.e. Everton game.
Not judging by the poll! Although our binner "friends" have a habit of voting in these the opposite way... I think it's just that us "no"s just feel the need to explain why, given that he has actually done a decent job.
It's a no from me. As other have pointed out, the target man role is all well and good but he doesn't have the anticipation and the reading of the game to be a long-term option. Against Swansea he was out of position nearly the whole game, and while I didn't see all of the Arsenal game there seemed to be a similar problem. Not a fan.
Does anybody else have this impression of Dave sitting in front of his computer acting like Blakey from on this buses mumbling "I'll get you Guru/JWM/Welly!"
I do think its brilliant how we both got a **** deal in the swap though shows how Morison n Becchio are both as bad as each other
I don't think either player is "****" but they have both found that perhaps the Championship is about the right level. Moro will score goals if you pump high balls in to the box for him (something we have failed to do for most of the season). Becchio has barely played since his arrival so is impossible to make a call on him, which is why I am perplexed at CH signing him if he had little or no intention of using him.
