Apart from Murray's hat trick at Selhurst (2 from the penalty spot mind), we haven't been troubled by the Championship's headline hitting top scorers so far. The top dozen haven't had a look in. Charlie Austin was shackled by Huds and Turner, whilst Becchio, Ince, Jordan Rhodes, Marlon King and Nugent again yesterday have all been shut out. In fact, you've got to down to DJ Campbell to find a scorer, and he put it in with both his bloody hands! We've got to the top of the table despite having no one anywhere near in the list, and funilly enough Hull in second place are in exactly the same boat - our top scorers Helguson and Aluko have just 8 apiece. Maybe it suggests that clubs don't necessarily need a 20 goal striker - the tallies of Austin, Becchio and Ince haven't done thier respective clubs much good. Does this something about the terrific team efforts at us and Hull, or have we just been lucky?
Well you were lucky our scorers didn't get one yesterday! Probably the difference at the moment is that you have scorers all over the place yet we've only really got Nuge who really could go out and get a goal for the side. Our goal difference is false, we beat Ipswich and Derby 6-0 and 4-1 recently. BUT, as has always been the case for Leicester, if you put 11 men behind the ball you'll get a result. Only Palarse have came to City and passed the ball around and won. It's something we need to address to reclaim this 10 point gap that didn't exist 11 games ago. We've managed 12 points in that time whereas you've been consistent and managed 22. City fans think we're a goalscorer and a midfielder away from a real top championship side. I tend to agree. Good luck for the rest of the season.
There was a big debate around this at the start of the season. I had a look at the promoted teams over the last few season and I think it was 1 of 12 in the last 4 years had a 20 a season striker. When we've had a striker score 20 we haven't been in the top 6. Goals from all over is the key. Chops used to score in bunches then dry up on us. If he didn't score we struggled. Saying that, put a 20 a season striker in front of the 8 guys who have scored 4 or more for us this season and we'd be out of sight.
I don't think you need a 20 goal striker if you have the likes of HH. Half way through he has 8 but probably made at leat the same for others. If he scores 15 and make 15 by the end of the season I'll be well chuffed.
Surpised he didn't bag a goal yesterday. Always seems to score/play well against us and he didn't do either yesterday. Morgan had him in his pocket which I was happy about. A centre half pairing of Big Wes and Hudson would be incredible. Wouldn't get past them! Only problem would be who you give the armband to!
The last time an out and out striker scored for us was Simmo against Wolves which was at the start of November, doesn't seem to have done us any harm, although it will in the long term. We'll definitely bring someone in but in Bellamy, Helguson and Mason you've probably got enough options.
DJ - sorry mate, but he should scored 15 by now with the opportunities he's wasted. The good chances (not just half chances) that he's put wide, over the bar, or straight at the keeper beggars belief - Maynard would have buried most of them and a lot more besides. I'm not denying HH's overall worth to the team effort - nobody works harder and puts his body on the line more than him, but he cant shoot to save his life. Instead of the scraped odd goal wins and sometimes the odd goal losses, a striker with a pair of feet like Maynard would have seen us coasting instead of scrambling for the points. Doing nothing about it for the second half of the season is leaving far too much to chance. Once again, in Malky's own words " when you start believing your own hype, that's when you're in trouble". As strong as he seems, if anyone is going to "burn out", it's Heidar. I think he's played every game so far - another 23 could see him on his arse long before the end of the season. We need to address that scenario in January, not wait for it to happen.
I totally agree with this. Don't know if we need to buy though, I think bellers, mason, rudy and the long forgotten eti have enough pairings between them to cover hh. I think their is more potential in some of those players than hh but malky is working on an 'ain't broke don't fix it' policy with hh.
I agree with Sparkey. I expect a new striker virtually straight away in the window. Helgusson works hard and puts his body on the line. He has no pace though and his finishing isnt great. Id rather Mason starting against Palace. Helgusson can still have a role from the bench and cover but if we are to go up we need better.
That's my point though hilts, I think we have better already. It's just that hh has played and we're top of the league. The whole 'we could be x amount in front' is solely an opinion. I think for as long as he's fit and we stay top mm will play hh and it's hard to argue with when you look at it like that. If Danny graham is available I'd see him as a better version of hh and could see mm making a move. You've got to question how much more money is available just for getting out of this division though.
