www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25237198 Many posters have been anticipating a few additions to the playing staff come the January transfer window,especially in the striker role. However,it seems that our Manager has decided that a striker is not a requirement,since we already have three,viz,Michu,Bony and Alvaro. So,is he right? Will that trio be sufficient to see us through the rest of the season? Will Alvaro eventually step up to the plate.or is he out of his depth at the level the Club is at?
I read that earlier and I thought he was stating common sense really. You can't legislate for that many injuries in one position at the same time. And as it turned out we have another way of playing without a front man and we looked good. I think the jury's still out on Alvaro but he obviously has some potential. With Michu and Bony both fit though he probably won't get enough game time for us to find out whether he's good enough or not. This was his chance but he's been unlucky with the injury. Will Donnelly ever get a look in?
A loan deal from somewhere may have worked but could we guarantee game time? With Bony, Michu and Vasquez fit he wouldn't get a look-in. Remember we have Donnelly if push comes to shove though it does seem as if Laudrup feels he's not quite ready for this level. It's just unfortunate that all three main men are injured at the same time and it's unlikely to happen again. The Toon game showed we can adapt to a 4-6-0 if necessary with Pozuelo and Jonjo pushing forward. I'm more worried about the back to be honest. If we lose 2 CBs or 2 FBs it'll be tough to fill the gap. On Vasquez I think we need to give him a chance. I've been critical of him too because he reminded me of Schechter - busy but ineffective. But there have been signs he's starting to adapt. Unfortunately that comes with game time and he's not had enough. If he recovers before the other two he may yet get an opportunity. So I'm not particularly surprised by Laudrup's statement because I think there are enough goals in the side to push on.
I wish ppl would stop calling Michu a striker, he is far better as an AM. It is so obvious we need a striker and 2 defenders to make the 25 man squad
Well it's not obvious to Laudrup. I agree Michu's preferred role is an AM but he's done well as an out and out striker and is comfortable if not completely happy in that position. How many goals last season? More than most strikers in the League.
I agree with what you are saying KJ but every team seems to have worked him out when he plays the lone striker role, far less effective than as an AM. how many goals this season? 4 from all games. To be honest I cannot grasp MLs logic, ok great win last night but I don't think will happen every match.
Musty I think most of us would like a top striker on loan a la Lukaku but they are few and far between. If we managed to pull that off it also means our main man Bony spends time on the bench and I think that's wrong. You don't build teams like that. If Laudrup says we don't need one I can understand the logic. It's just bad luck three strikers are injured simultaneously. On Michu and his form I think that he's struggled to adapt to playing with Bony but that has shown signs of improving. It was always unlikely that he was going to reach the heights of last season on the goal tally. I personally think that we have enough goals in our team and would prefer it if we concentrated on spending big at the back because like it or not we still look vulnerable at times when teams push forward.
once again I agree KJ re the spending on the back, shelvey might be a godsend and worth 10-15 goals in the season, (I can wish)
I personally would rather have CB cover rather than another striker who would spend most of his time on the bench. As above we have the flexibility in the team to provide striker cover if needed. It was a shame Michu got injured when he did as there were signs that his partnership with Bony was improving.
Michu as an out and out striker was not really a success. Most of his goals came as an AM which is where I, and, far more importantly, he, sees as his best position. He doesn't like playing as a lone striker but has done so for the good of the team - the type of guy he is. However, continuing with that policy is likely to see him become discontented, never a good thing. Playing Bony as the striker with Michu behind gives us two potent goal threats and Jonjo looks like adding to that. Add in the odd few from Dyer and Routs and we are not looking bad for goals. I also believe that Vasquez will come good. He's different class to Scheckter and will prove it in time. Perhaps we need a tall centre back to deal with high balls, set pieces and give us the odd goal threat at the other end but what I really want is a combative midfielder such as the likes of Scott Parker. We do have a soft centre, something I believe Ash Williams is in agreement with. Vorm is also on record saying as much and they both believe that the defence doesn't get the cover it needs from midfield. When the players say it, you have to listen.
Musty has made a valid point, Michu is not a striker, no does he like playing that position either, we only have 2 Strikers, well if the truth be known just 1 really, as Aloevera is not ready for Premiership football, and no will he be any time soon, it's folly on Laudrups part to consider him in the numbers up front. I'm not sure if this is Laudrup's decision, but if it is, then it's fool hardy, he should at the very least bring in a quality loan Striker in January, but then I get the feeling that Laudrup can be a stubborn old boot, anyway I don't agree with this, but then has Huw called time on his spending?.............
I can see that argument, Phil but Michu can step in if Bony gets injured and laudrup has always stated he likes his players to be versatile. Michu is certainly that. One thing has occurred to me though.....I'll put up a thread.
Laudrup has made a sensible comment here as should he have made it public we were after another striker, it would inflate the asking price more than it usually does during the January window. Don't think we need a new striker as when the window opens I anticipate everyone will be back. Hopefully Donnelly will get a look in now.
I dont think a striker was a priority anyway but we do need a coupe of tall defenders to put a stop to the oppositions set pieces in our half and to give us some height with corners for and against..,
Vazquez is a kid coming into a new League , probably not well travelled ,new surroundings ,different culture, team mates ,language so theres a few hurdles he has to get over before even kicking g ball . Give the lad a chance because I think once he gets going goal wise I think he'll come good , when you consider the potential loan options available we opted for him so the the manger must see something in him .
If you look at his track record it's not that brilliant, and that was in Segunda División B, now your asking him to perform at the higher level in the Prem? Not going to happen, I see him as Championship level at the very best for at least a few seasons!.............
Totally agree. He's also performed well for the Spanish "under" teams and you don't get near their squads at any level unless you've got talent. A lot of it.
