I know he hasn't had the best service but recently Campbell is looking like a £600,000 striker. His conversion rate on chances is not good. Maybe time for Maynard to start.
Hampshire - Maynard is definitely quicker turning and off the mark, but lacks the physicality of Fraizer. For a relatively small bloke for a striker these days, FC doesn't half throw himself about against much bigger guys than himself. If that's what we're expecting, I don't think that's in Nicky's game. To be fair, Malky's tactics these first few games has left him very isolated. Feeding off scraps between big defenders can be a bit thankless, but he's failed to take a few chances that many of think he should have put away. Got a funny feeling that Malky shares that thought as well. Whoever we start upfront has got to have support higher up the pitch to make them effective. Getting team mates nearter to them would give them a chance of a "give and go" that is lacking at the moment. Holding a higher line and pressing further up the pitch would seem the way, but the chances are that some these Prem sides with top quality strikers would be in behind us like a knife. Difficult call, but unless you've got a Lambert type player (Cornelius?) to take on the big back guys and hold the ball up, I fear we are going to hang our choice of frontman out to dry more often than not. Nicky with Odem and a higher line held might be a decent option against bottom half clubs, but to take Norwich lightly as an also ran in the Prem this year could be a big mistake. I like the way Hughton has got them knocking the ball around and they can play some very decent stuff as they did against Chelsea on the weekend.
Gestade is not on bench any more. Surely he could be used for 10 minutes at the end of the game, not least to win headers to keep the ball up there, and even cause a chance or two to drop to someone and also to confuse polished PL defenders who won't know what really to make of him. I too am disappointed that Noone has not made it onto the pitch yet in PL game; why is he on the bench then?
We'll show you how to pass the ball in November, bring your note books, and pay close attention!....................
