Summer 2013 Transfer Rumour Thread - Mk3

Well hopefully Rodriguez plays on the right like last season. So that would basically count him out as striker in a way.

 

He will probably play wide the majority of the time, but any striker we bring in necessarily needs to be a better option up front than having Jay in that position with someone else wide, or it's a losing proposition.

 

Ok, one plays in your one striker system.... One doesn't. What's your striker option if you need to send two on chasing a game and the one playing is having a stinker.

I'd only accept not signing a striker if Mayuka turns out to be the business; I'm not convinced.

 

That's what I ment but you put it better.

 

I'd send on our third choice, Super Mayuka (I think I've decided I'm always going to preface Mayuka's name with the word 'Super' from this point onwards, just to send out happy thoughts and combat the negative attitude). Or just show faith in the player who is having a stinker knowing that we can rely on them and make sure they know I have complete belief in them.

 

What drugs have you been taking?

 

Largely agree. I was simply answering a question. Ok means just that- nothing special. I wasn't expressing a concern about J Rod or Rickie so for me there isn't an issue.

 

I'm desperate for a new striker, but only because I want to see us continuing to improve our first XI.

3rd, 4th, 5th choice striker options aren't a concern for me. I'm not looking to sign cover for Rickie. I just want us to flat out improve our XI.

 

Lol. I think you have just rested my case

 

Yes!

 

Frazer Richardson is on trial at Millwall.

 

In all seriousness though, I haven't yet given up on Mayuka and am willing to rely on him for the few times a season that the scenario you suggested crops up. I think a main divide between the for and against parties in the do-we-need-a-new-striker debate is between those who have given up on Mayuka and those who have not. Personally I'd be very happy for us to either sign a striker that is just flat out better than Rickie (If such a creature even exists), or a player somewhere in the Rodriguez-Mayuka spectrum, i.e. a player with potential who we can drip-feed into being a main player in future. The problem is I'm not sure the former is really realistic at this point and whilst the latter would be great I could just as well do without one. One thing is for sure, we need another player or two in that attacking quartet, but if the window closes and we have accomplished this without signing a striker I will not be fretting.

 

Peach on twitter seems to think there will be some transfer related breakthrough tomorrow....

 

It's a joke. Stand down.

 

yeah i guessed that.

 

The whole point of playing the pressing game that MP favours is to win the ball high up the pitch, and then attack quickly and directly. When it works well it means we steal the ball in the opposition's half and get in behind them before they have a chance to regroup. For me a quick goal poacher fits in to this style much more than a talented all rounder like Lambert.

I'm not saying Lambert doesn't have a role to play, but as the main front man in the set up/style we are playing I think there are better fits. A player like Chicharito I think would score a ****load in this style, even if he is not as good an all round player as Lambert.

 

Every club in the world wants a player like Chicharito.

 

I was just using him as an example that everybody will have seen a lot of, basically a quick finisher who offers little else will be more effective than Lambert in MP's style. Maybe Mayuka or J-Rod could be that player when played through the middle, I just really don't think Rickie suits the way we play anymore

 

I think Rickie can. My bigger point last season was that we won't get the best out of players like Gaston, with a frontman like Rickie.

Players like Gaston thrive off of lively darting runs from their front man, allowing them to slot them straight in. Rickie plays with his back to goal.

 

So, in your opinion, should we be looking to get the best out of our talented midfielders, or base the team more around a proven goalscorer like Rickie?

It is a tough question, but I personally think it should be letting the midfielders try and pick holes in the oppositions defence with a poacher running in behind.