That's wishful thinking that we'll see AA coming off the bench, he'll start plenty more games than we'd like this season. I just hope he forgets his first and maybe only season playing in the Premier League for the sake of his confidence.
I am classing Piroe (or another) as someone we need even if Che stays. Onuachu will be off, possibly Mara too, and Ballard has only just got into the squad. Armstrong might not even be considered for the central role. If Che goes then we need to sign two decent strikers, which is why I think signing Piroe and keeping Che makes much more sense.
I don’t see us signing two strikers. We have a hard enough time signing one. And if we do sign two one will be a young prospect type one that people will complain about for not having a record of banging dozens of goals in (as it we could afford two of those) and for blocking the pathway
All depends how many leave. If Onuachu and Adams leave, and Mara goes out on loan then that leaves us with Armstrong and Ballard I’m fine with Mara staying and being part of the squad. Seems crazy to me that some people are saying loan out Mara because he isn’t ready but are fine with Ballard being part of the squad. Armstrong, Mara, Ballard and new striker is my guess for what our forward line will look like this season
For me Mara could do with playing regular first team football before deciding what his future is here and I don't think he's shown enough to make me think he should be playing regularly for us, a promotion chasing team (in theory). IMO Ballard should still be primarily playing for the B team, but keeping him involved with the first team squad as 4th choice. With the Championship schedule as it is, I could see him making the bench a bit more regularly and given more opportunities if he seems up to it. So not saying that I think Ballard is better, just that they're at different stages and need different things. I think Tall Paul leaving is the only certainty as I imagine we'll loan him out if we can't sell him. I hope we bring in Piroe/a striker regardless of what happens with Che, but if Che goes too then Mara should probably stay. If Che stays I think Mara would be better off going out on loan.
Much, much better than that. None of those will get us promoted. Happy for Ballard to gain experience as 4th choice & cups. But Mara & Armstrong I would consider left attacking midfielders at this point
I saw it. I think we need two if we let Che & paul leave. Need at least two strikers capable of holding the ball up. Armstrong and Mara are ghosts
He played there against Reading in pre-season, cutting in on his right. Looked OK there. He certainly isn’t a 9, let alone in a league as physical as the championship
He's not a 9 in the sense he wouldn't be able to play up front on his own but he's much better suited to playing centrally. He needs a strike partner but he's an out and out striker without a doubt.
I think Armstrong might actually do alright this year. His pace alone should cause problems at this level, and from what I’ve read it sounds like we are playing more to his strengths in pre season than we have done previously. The “new striker” in my mind will be the main one, someone like Piroe even though I’m sure we won’t get him. I agree I’d like 2 as well but just don’t think that’s realistic
Yeah I think we need one striker anyhow. And maybe we will keep Che. I wouldn’t be arsed either way tbh if he left.
