Man City - Dzeko, Tevez, Aguero Arsenal - Giroud, Podolski, (Walcott) Tottenham - Adebayor, Defoe Liverpool - Suarez, Sturridge Everton - Anichibe, Jelavic I'm sure I've forgotten a few, but really these clubs haven't really used many more strikers than these, there is no way room for 4 strikers in a formation that plays one up top. 3 for us is too many as Mayuka hasn't got anywhere near the first team. If we really needed him he would have been at least on the bench even if he wasn't as good as we hoped.
Saints need Mayuka to become successful, as part of the global brand (sales in Asia) we need to be seen to taking gifted players and getting the best out of them.
Mayuka isn't strictly speaking a striker. He's a Walcott-esque forward who can play across the front, but whose talents are probably actually better utilized in a wide role, where he can use his pace and find gaps in the defense, rather than being the pivot of the attack. Playing in an attacking-minded lone-striker set, it certainly doesn't hurt to have wide players who are almost as capable of scoring goals as your centre forward...especially when your CF is as creative a player as is Lambert.
I liked the fact that a few weeks after that comment from MP, Mayuka was picked and played. Suggests that he listened to the rocket! Vin
FJoe Man City sold their troublesome fourth striker at Xmas Arsenal still haven't got a top striker to compete with the Manc clubs Tottenham would have really struggled if it wasn't for Bale, their strikers are either on ACON duty (or just not interested) or injured Liverpool - lets see how we'll they do now Dracula is suspended Everton have had to rely on their midfield to make up for their very limited striker force Aim high guys! Add another small fast deadly finisher to our existing squad and I will be delighted
Err not really the point of this thread but surely your list is rather lacking... Man City - Aguero, Dzeko, Tevez & Balotelli (for half season) = goals have dried up in second half. 4-3 Arsenal - Giroud, Podolski, Walcott, Gervinho - 4 Tottenham - Adebayor, Defoe, Dempsey, Bale - 4 Liverpool - Suarez, Sturridge, Borini (Until Injury) & no doubt if Suarez was injured the return of Andy Carrol 3-4 if needed Everton - Anichebe, Jelevic, Fellaini (most of the season as striker), Mirallas - 4 Southampton - Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka - 3 - if you asked me i'd be after one more striker in the summer to compete in the top half As stated by others Mayuka is not just fitting into 1 CF position, he is competing for one of 3 positions - CF (Lambert) and the wings (Rodriguez and Lallana) or posibly even that in behind position we sometimes play. Yes he hasn't played alot but does that mean he has no future, no. He's young and adjusting to life in English football. Anyone that watched the African Nations Cup when he was outstanding would have seen a player with huge amounts of raw talent. Definantly a more than useful squad player. We will need a larger squad next year
Haven't seen enough of Mayuka to judge (who has?) and I wish him the best, but perhaps the problem is that in our team all players are required to be constructive as well as do their jobs. Perhaps he just has to learn more of that side of the game. As I said before, he's in the right place to learn (if he has it in him).
Man U have 4 strikers in Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez and RVP, and they are supposed to be in for Lewandowksi too! I agree though that for us as a team who plays just 1 striker, 3 first team strikers is plenty. That allows the possibility of a fourth coming from the youth academy, i.e. Seager, Gallagher, or Hoskins. Having 4 first team strikers I think would mean that at least 1 would be frozen out, and the pathway to the first team for youth players would be too congested.
Man U have 4 strikers in Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez and RVP, and they are supposed to be in for Lewandowksi too! I agree though that for us as a team who plays just 1 striker, 3 first team strikers is plenty. That allows the possibility of a fourth coming from the youth academy, i.e. Seager, Gallagher, or Hoskins. Having 4 first team strikers I think would mean that at least 1 would be frozen out, and the pathway to the first team for youth players would be too congested.
Exactly. Regarding United, they accommodate them all by playing them in different positions. And Hernandez has almost certainly not played as much as he would like, so even if they can play in different positions it's difficult to accommodate 4 strikers in that kind of setup.
If a goal poacher becomes available at the right price (a Hernandez type player) I think we'd be mad not to go in for them....
If they were as good as Hernandez, then yes we would be mad not to go for them. It would probably mean the end of Mayuka's career with us though.
If they were as good as Hernandez, then yes we would be mad not to go for them. It would probably mean the end of Mayuka's career with us though.
Which isn't a problem either. If a player (in a any position, but striker for this discussion) becomes available at the right price, wages and quality to improve our squad, then yes, we should take them.
Interesting that both Forren's and Mayuka's agents have jumped in so as not to rock the boat. Think both players want to stay and are not angling to get out because they are not being played.
Mayuka is 3rd choice striker behind Lambert & Rodriguez. Then 5th choice attacking winger behind Rodriguez, Ramirez, Lallana & Puncheon. We have had a successful season and great recent form. Must be tough for him to get a look in ahead of the above 5 players (two clubs legends & two record signings inc)
