Hi Everyone. I normally click on to the forum most days and I have been meaning to register so I can add my opinions and thoughts but I have only just got round to it. My post is around strikers and is not aimed to be a slight at how well we have done this season which is obviously better than I ever could have realistically imagined. I think we have been very fortunate that both Morison and Holt have stayed injury free this season. I was very frustrated that the match at the weekend wasnt approach with our strongest 11, although I am sure Lambert thought that our team still could have won the game. I think the reason Holt was not involved was because he stil pivotal to how we play and if he were to get injured all of a sudden the quality we have upfront would be thin on the ground. I believe that Jackson is great for coming on from the bench but I wouldnt want to rely on him starting everyweek. Morison is a hard worker and has done great for us but isnt quite as cultured as Holt in my opinion. Its nice to see Vaughn back and I am sure he is a talent however, I am worried that he is always going to be a player that wont quite reach his potential due to frequent injuries. Taking into account also Martin and Wilbraham who again in my opinion have both done a good job for us but I dont feel have enough quality to either start matches for us or be game changers. The essence of this post is that I feel we do need to invest in another striker in the summer. I do not expect us to be spending huge somes but I think anything up to 3 - 4 million to bring someone like Rodriquez in is whats needed. This just gives us some extra quality cover which I feel is slightly short in this position. I dont feel that Rhodes has done enough in his career to warrant the price tag and wages that it would probably cost to get him. If there are other strikers that you would like to see please let me know. The only other though I had would be to try Pilkington as a striker - There are probably reasons why he doesnt play this position but up with someone like Holt I think this could work. Pilkington has a great first touch, is a good finisher (bar the Man Utd game) and is good with both feet. I know Lambert likes flexibility to change formations during a game and this would also allow changes to playing one man upfront if the needs of the game changed. All in all I would be happy to try and bring in Naughton and a striker. With the new additions in January we are building for the future and I would like to continue this. Naughton would be expensive and may stretch the wages but I feel he is the type of player we need to be reaching for if we stay up.
The first thing I would say is that you have mentioned 6 strikers already on the books. We can't keep all of them and buy another. Secondly you talk about spending 4m on a new striker which, even in todays market, is a fair bit of money and far more than we have spent on any of the 6 already here. Such a striker would expect to play quite regularly and quite frankly we are not a big enough club to pay that sort of money for a player who spends most of his time on the bench - so again who makes way for him. The most important point can only be dealt with by PL and that is what system does he intend to play. If it is one up with attacking midfielders coming through then do we need to replace Holt or Morison- most people would say no. If we are going to play one big one quick up front do we need to replace/reinforce Jackson and Vaughan? If we are going to play two big up front with wide players putting in crosses do we need to reinforce Holt and Morison? You raise a simple and sensible question but only PL knows the answer.
Lambert has a knack of returning for a player that he tried he tried to sogn before and we did make an inquiry for Rodriguez in jan so who knows what will happen come the summer! I know that he will be a wanted man at a lot of clubs, thats for sure....
...........i'm just glad his first name isn't trev in that case, still would be a good investment, bearing in mind to improve our potential we have to improve the quality of players at the club. will be surprised if c.martin is here next season and probably wilbs also.
1950 I agree that £4m is alot of money however over the course of this season we have spent approximately £10m (thats based on what I have heard we have paid for the following) Morison, Pilks, Bennett, Bennett and Howson. I dont think we will need to bolster the numbers as much next season just get more quality in which in my eyes means spending a similar amount just on a fewer number of players. We would definitely need to lose a striker maybe two but I would happily lose Martin and Wilbs. I fear that Vaughn will continue to struggle with injuries throughout his career - unfortunately some players are just injury prone. In terms of players wanting to play first team football I think we have built a very good model for rotation. We are the only club I can think of that continually alters formations and the starting lineup. This has two good beenfits for me, firstly that all players will get opportunities and if they take them they will play when the tactics suit (It also allows players who have had a bad game or two back in the team without much fuss). I beleive This would appeal to players coming in as there isnt any fear that they wont get played or will just sit on the bench - they will get a fair opportunity. Secondly I feel it keeps eyes off our better players. I remember Pilks picking up good form earlier in the season and the odd rumuour started being mentioned about possible transfers. The next thing you know he isnt starting every week and slowly he isnt mentioned as much. He then comes back in the team and produces good performances. To summarise if we want to improve next season We have to lose C.Marting and Wilbs and look at bringing in more quality upfront. I quoted £4m but I wou;ldnt want to stretch overselves beyond what we could afford but any place we finish above 17th would bring in £750k per position or a similar figure. A good finish in the league would almost pay solely for a new striker and still leave funds for Lambert to pick up a couple of bargains.
First time on here this season but often follow the banter.....anyway heres my 2 cents for what its worth, I believe the top priority should be a top quality centre half. With Vaughn coming back and goals being scored all over the pitch I dont believe a large portion of any transfer budget should be spent on a striker. I know that we have had so many injuries and distruptions at the back but we are crying out for a stella centre back. As good as the Ayala & Zak partnership is/was the injuries them guys gets means in all probablity they will never play 20 games a season together.....the rest of the centre half back ups are clearly not Premiership level and for NCFC to consolidate the good work thats gone on this season we need to tighten up at the back. As to what centre half you would buy I really dont know leave that one to the god that is PL!
I would like to dispute that assumption, how many games did it take Whitbread, Barnett, De Laet and Ayala to get settled in the Premier League. These Ward-bashers, really should be shot , he is simply awesome, and given a few more games, will be PL level. Barnett though is surplus to requirements when R. Bennett arrives.
I hope you are right about Ward. I'm not convinced yet although to be fair its early days for him. I just didn't like the way Nugent wandered straight through the middle of our defence on Saturday. Probably Barnett's fault but defending isn't just about tackling and heading. Its also about organising, communication and recovery.
Well Goldeney I hope to be proved wrong but the lad Bennett looks very decent from what i have seen & been told so hopefully he will step up no probs. Lets just hope they can all stay fit
Summer: buy Naughton, Rhodes, Snodgrass, and a LB Keep as utility-role players: Drury and Lappin Kindly show the door with many thanks for their efforts: C.Martin, Barnett, Crofts, K. Smith and Wilbraham -- I also expect us to lose Morison to another PL club. We must keep at all costs, vital to our survival next season, Ruddy, Surman, Pilkington, E. Bennett, Howson, R. Bennett, and Ayala
Provides options for a Dynamic line-up Ruddy Naughton-Ayala-Whitbread-Tierney Pilkington-Howson-Snodgrass-Surman Rhodes-Holt
Like the idea of buying Naughton, anyone know how much Spurs would let him go for? Would happily lose Morrison if it meant getting Rhodes and Snodgrass would certainly be a welcome addition. Interesting to see how much PL revamps the squad in the summer but he is the man with the midas touch so sure everything will work out for the better
I am just terrified that without Naughton our RB position will be our achilles heel, R. Martin hasn't looked at all reassuring in that position, better in CB, and we don't have anybody else besides E. Bennett to stand in.
need to buy Naughton and then see what cash is left! lol! CB position now well covered with Russ showing he is fine there and now with Wardy fit, Naughton has shown he can play either RB or LB so we are covered, if we can get Naughton. Up front if C Martin and Wilbraham go would like to see Rhodes in
Hardly splashing the cash if we get Rhodes and Naughton (who will get minimal game time @ Spurs), the first can be offset by Morison's transfer fee, and the 2nd can be considered a worthwhile investment for the future, and the safety of our RB position for 2012/13. Morison if sold will at least double in value to £5m, minimum
Would generally agree with you about this, definitely re. keeping Lappin and Drury, however I think we will be hard pressed to get Rhodes this summer unless it has already been agreed- his value has rocketed and I can't see Lambert or McNally wanting to pay that much over the odds. The only thing I'm not sure of is releasing Korey Smith- he was recovering from injury, is only 21 and looks to me like a hot prospect. He's already started five matches for Barnsley played most of the matches and made three assists...
We should let go C.Martin, Barnett, Wilbs, and Crofts. We need to keep Lapps and Drury for their versatility and also Korey who is one for the future and could do a similar (but better) role to Crofts in my opinion and battle it out with Bradley for that holding midfield position. We should buy Naughton, Snodgrass and Rodriguez - that's all we need in my opinion. OTBC.
