Strikers

I've got some stats for Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands. As their seasons have been a bit fragmented, for appearances I've just divided minutes played by 90, and then rounded it up.

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Not a bad return from any of them so far. I had no doubts that Ameobi and Lovenkrands would do their part, they haven't set the league alight but considering people felt at the start of the season that 15 would be a good return from Carole, they've made a useful contribution.

Best I expected nothing of. But he's been a revelation, and despite scoring a hatrick on debut, I thought he looked as if he was improving with each game before his injury.

I wouldn't be happy going into next season with just the four we have (no point including Ranger in the stats, no goals, no assists, no starts), but I think one striker is enough with these lads in reserve or maybe one alongside.

I think we'll probably play 4-5-1 next season with Ben Arfa and Nolan both playing, so we need a powerful centre forward. Demba Ba will do nicely.

 

The figures look decent enough but I can't see teams coming knocking on the door for them.

What I'd like to see is a specialist striker that is goal hungry and will win us games with his goals. A Shearer Mk II kind of striker.

 

We need 1 quality striker next year that we can play Ben Arfa off. Then we can have Ameobi, Best and Ranger as cover. I'd probably let Lovenkrands go, he's done well but is too old.

 

Ba would do nicely, I'd be very happy if we got him or a player like him and Gervinho as well, probably spending towards 20mil as it is the focus for this summer, while leaving a bit for strengthening. Lovenkrands only has one year left, let him run down his contract then if he still wants to play let him find a club at a lower level, if not see if he wants a coaching job or something maybe, he has a good footballing brain even if he isnt the best striker.

On a side note, I'm surprised Ranger hasnt registered any assists yet, he has been involved in a number of goals though I suppose.

 

wonder how much a Shearer would cost these days

 

I'll definitely keep Best as starter/2nd choice striker depending on what formation Pardew opts for, it seems it'll be 451/4321/4411/433 with one striker. Ba would be nice, although I'll prefer someone better.. maybe Pav from Spurs if the price and wages are right? he's getting old but he's a quality finisher!

Keep Ameobi as cover and maybe Lover as well, although if possible get rid of both. I'll keep Lover over Ameobi(both contracts running out at the end of next season anyways). Keep Ranger as cover as well and loan him out for 2 or 3 months in the Championship if possible. Kuqi.. release him please.

 

At today's silly money, probably £100m.

 

Jarvis
Barton
Tiote
Jonas
Ben Arfa (off a striker)
NEW STRIKER

If we have something like this next season I'll be chuffed. then Nolan, Guthrie, Ferguson, Lua Lua, Vuckic will give us cover in midfield. Ameobi, Ranger and Best as backup strikers and we're good to go.

In defence, Simmo, Colo, NEW CB, Enrique. R taylor, S taylor, Williamson and kadar as back ups.

Add a couple of squad men and we can be top 8.

 

yep most likely AB
he'd be worth every penny too

 

In his mid/late 20's he'd cost about as much as Rooney will most likely go for and that's about 60 mil.

Perhaps Shearer 70m.

 

But what would Tiote be worth?

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^ Realistically? 15m.

 

I'd say more than that mate. Now he's on a 6 year contract he'll cost around 20m

 

Tash.. how much would Sturridge be worth?

 

Pardew has reportedly said he sees Ben Arfa as a No. 10, playing in the hole. So it's going to be one up front.

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/ne...newcastle-united-s-perfect-10-79310-28448854/

 

Yes that's good then. Ba would be good, what's your opinion on Pav and could Gervinho work playing as a lone forward or Moussa Sow?

 

Pav is a good striker. He's clinical and technically good but he isn't a lone striker, he isn't as good as Ba, he's getting on a bit and he'd probably be overpriced. I'd rather we stayed away.

Not sure about Gervinho. There'd be no point playing wingers if we had him and Ben Arfa up front, Barton would have to play in the centre. We could probably get it to work with a system similar to Barca's, with Gervinho being Villa, Jonas being Pedro and Ben Arfa being Messi. You need good passers in the midfield though, Barton, Nolan and Tiote would be our Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. I'm not sure how that would work for a team with players nowhere near Barca's quality, their defence doesn't get exposed because they keep the ball so well, it could be catastrophic for a less technically gifted team. That said we do keep the ball well, even against Stoke we had 60% possession.

I'd rather go with someone like Ba, a typical centre forward who can hold the ball up, strong in the air and good on the deck as well. Three small strikers represent too much of a gamble, especially in the Premier League.

 

Well Nolan isn't good technically at, so him in a 443 wouldn't work. Only Barton and Tiote could play in that, we'll need a technically-blessed all-round CM, maybe someone like Dorrans. Ba would be good as a CF though.

 

You need good imagination too.

 

Dorrans would be awesome in that system. I'd much rather buy him than Ireland.