Been thinking about where our goals have come from so far this season - not that we've notched that many. Recently we've relied on some screamers from distance (Hoilett x2 and Camarasa), ping pong goals in the 6 yard box (Bamba against Brighton and Reid at Watford), and opposition defensive blunders like Pato's goal against Southampton. Apart from the much talked about "16 pass" equaliser against Brighton, we're not creating chances and passing the ball into the net from open play. Should we rely on more of the same to get through the season and finish above that 18th spot or can we change? The honest answer probably is at the moment we haven't got the skilful players to do it any differently. That beggars the question of which way should we go in January regarding recruitment. Would a quality "No. 10" be the right investment?
Is that in place of Pato or as well as him? Think we need to think outside the box (literally). Doesn't matter who's up front, if you can't play them in we might just as well stick with him, Zohore and Madine.
I think we have to make do with what we have. Any signings will probably just give us squad depth rather than any real improvement. I think we have shown we can stay up. So for me, its let it roll rather than throwing money at nothing.
I think we've created quite a few chances that haven't been put away. Someone who can convert chances and half chances. On a different line, is anyone else concerned that our 3 starting centre mids cease to be ours at the end of the season. It's either a case of stump up a lot of cash to keep what we've got (for no squad improvement) or, start from scratch. Neither appear palatable. Finally, 3 players in Garth crooks team of the week after the foxes game.
Come to the opinon we probably need both - an influential creator and a half chance finisher. About £40M should do it.
It’s been disappointing and surprising that no headed goal has come from a corner/free kick. Too many times there’s no midfielder advancing around the penalty area for cross backs and when they are positioning there, the cross is played square to nobody in particular. City don’t get the box into the area enough for a fox in the box to snap up half chances.
Not disagreeing with remote about our need for a stirker, but that above is basically what I was trying to say in the OP.
We need a striker who can give us 8 -12 goals be the end of the season. I think we have one or two in the squad who could play in the #10 role. It's the #9 that is needed.
I’m with remote, need to look longer term first. Neet to sort the midfield out first and foremost. In the mini-league we are in we’re doing okay. We’re getting all sorts of goals from across the pitch, so it’s not all doom and gloom. I think we can survive (just) with the current squad but we do need more quality to do it with relative ease. That quality must be in the midfield, if one of the main three are injured then we’ll struggle, if a striker is injured there’s no real impact on the goals scored stats.
Did remote say that? It's exactly what Nin and I have posted - we need quality to provide the chances as much as someone to take them. The current Gunnar/Arter/Camarasa midfield will compete well with most in this division but they don't necessarily create much, and God help us if one or two of them get injured. It's a gamble - stick or twist. Stay with what we've got with some cover for them, or acquire a couple of players who will be good enough to displace what we've got straight away - no point waiting until they're "up to speed" - the season will be gone.
@Sparkey, I have previously said we need the midfield looking at and not the strikers and got told I was essentially talking bollocks. It seems some have come around to my way of thinking. I’d love it if VT came out and said to NW go buy the players we need and hang the expense. We all know that ain’t gonna happen so 2-3 quality signings for the midfield should be enough to see the season out with the defence we have and the current crop of goal machines up front. The problem with that is cost. If NW thinks €15 million is a fair price for Camarasa, how much would it cost for three better midfielders?
Not sure what I said now. I'm doubting myself. I think we're all in agreement that if we had the choice all bar etheridge and possibly camarasa would be squad players. But there's no way we can replace 9 players, nor would they settle as a team before we are relegated. I'm torn between the now and the start of next season. Get to the end of the season still in the prem and have to spend big bucks to keep the squad as it is and struggle again next season. Spend money now fail to stay up and still need an overhaul in the summer. It's a tricky one. All we can hope for is a bit more quality come the end of Jan and keep our fingers crossed. Then worry about next season when we know our fate.
@taffthefish that's what I alluded to in the OP - not necessarily stick all our eggs on a new striker. I agree that if the midfield doesn't create and just destroys, no matter who we stick up front, they will be starved of chances.
We dont need better midfielders than Camarasa though. Decent scouting would give us improvements in the middle of the park at a fraction of that. Camarasa can pass and is comfortable on the ball and is mobile. Hes not where the improvement is needed. Priority 1 a right back. If we stay up buy Arter and Camarasa if we can. Gunner can leave on a free. If we go down. We will need 3 new central midfielders alongside Ralls. Therefore I agree we need central midfielders probably 2 this window who will stay behond the summer.
@Hilts, I think Camarasa should be the benchmark, Arter is good enough but I chose Camarasa as a €15 million bid has been quoted as what he could possibly cost, should we want to purchase him. Whether that is a realistic price or not, it’s a good ballpark figure to start from. However, I do think we should be looking for better midfielders than Camarasa.
Great in theory but just who is out there? The January window is a lot different to the summer window. We have all agreed the chance to get better players in certain positions was missed in the summer. I hope I’m wrong and he does get in 2/3 players but not holding my breath.
Goals of any type and from whatever part of the pitch would be welcome after that shellacking from Spurs. 4 points from those last 3 games is good, but with only one goal from the three of them our problem is obvious - if the other side scores, we lose. We're relying on gritty defence or spectacular goals to get anything because we have no idea how to pass the ball through midfield and score from open play. You can argue that we don't create enough (that's my view) or that we need someone to put away the half chances we do get. Whatever, the plain truth is that unless we act now and do something about it, we are going down to the wire at best. Creator and goalscorer required, and that will cost. If it gets to that point, we have Manchester United away for our last game of the season.
