I see your game young fella. Start with a closed question and then probe I think Watters has a more creative team around him than Glatzel. Albeit at a lower level, he did well on loan and I'm sure just one, even flukey goal will set him on his way He is part of a developing team after all and like the team, he's not yet the finished product. Also didn't think he'll end up in Germany.
Think its unfair on Glatzel to compare the two. Watters has a much better supply of chances than Glatzel ever did. Its fine margins with strikers. Very much fine margins. Our strikers desperately need a goal. Even the best strikers go through droughts. We just need to see how they fare once they've had a goal or two. The longer it goes on, the more pressure builds though. I disagree with SM over older strikers as well. A 30+ year striker who can get a couple goals will lift the pressure. They don't need to be able to play a full 90 mins, with SMs style and 5 subs we dont need players to. Starting for 50 - 60 mins or 30 - 40 mins off the bench would be fine. Edit- just noted clingo beat me to the punch.
I think SM has told Watters to keep his powder dry until the end of the window Many other Championship club looking for the elusive striker that will kick start their season and some Prem clubs too.
With you all the way remote until we get to the older striker. As I keep bleating on about it, this is a developing squad with a heavy emphasis on moulding younger players. I personally have confidence that our existing strikers will come good and that bringing in an old head may hinder the long term plan Ok, we've missed a few chances but I don't think that makes us relegation fodder. Don't think we need to fix what might be a short lived problem
Just streaming MotD 2. How many chances did Haaland waste? Will agree to disagree on the older striker. Sometimes a development team needs a lift up, a bit of pressure taking off them. Someone who can put the ball in the back of the net would also benefit the mid-field and take pressure off them. Strikers missing too many opportunities can pressurise or demoralise the providers. I'm not talking about someone topping up their pension, just someone to shoulder some responsibility and ease the pressure. Not looking for big money for a 20+ goals striker, just a goal in 4 games type. Would help in training as well. Often, to mould a young player, you need someone in the team to help the moulding. Personally, I would prefer a 30+ year old to a 20 year old premier league loanee.
Yep. We're probably not going to agree on this one. Your logic is, as always, impeccable with regard to an older head showing the way. However, I think we have a squad with real team spirit and that they are determined to develop and succeed together. Also, at the end of the day, it's just the final touch that's letting us down. To be honest, my bigger concern is over Ralls and whether he's onboard with the club strategies.
OK. let's stimulate (probe?) some more debate about the individual rather than general striker comments. Being somewhat indelicate, Watters needs to grow some balls. I honestly like the guy but he looks weak to me. He makes some good runs (which are very good) without always being played in, but he doesn't press hard enough off the ball. His appetite for closing down, chasing lost causes and generally being a pain in the arse to opposition CB's and even keepers is very poor. It's not his game and it shows. I will say if he was notching we probably wouldn't be worried - but he isn't. He doesn't bring enough to the team effort at the moment. His finishing can be effective as he's proved at lower levels and it's pretty fair to say he needs a goal - but then again what striker doesn't? Waiting for the goals to flow is like harking back to the Le Fondre/Zohore/Madine/Niasse eras. I'm all for patience, but sometimes hard decisions have to me made. There's a bit of time left at the moment and if it ain't broke don't fix it, but at the moment it's broke.
Whilst trying to avoid accepting the premise of your argument Sparkey, how do you think we should go about fixing it? See, I can probe too
Spend some decent money on an obvious problem area? I don't mean throw money at it, but there's a difference between scratching your arse and tearing flesh (as I was told as a boy by my foreman. )
I understand all of that but spend money on who? And how much. I honestly can't think of anyone who is available, that we can afford and who wants to come. My not knowing doesn't mean there isn't someone out there but I think SM would have acted by now if all of that had been in place.
It was all new 3 weeks ago and expectations were set, but 5 games in, we now we know a lot more. The keeper, defence and midfield have more or less all been sorted - up front it hasn't. We're left with last season's hopefulls in Watters and Harris, with Collins being replaced by Etete. I accept that Zak Davies has been out of contention, but there again, that's another gamble.
Glatzel started slowly but after a while he started slotting some through balls home. He’s proved in Germany how proficient he is at slotting home chances - Watters has the ability as seen by some quality finishing at MKD but he does get into the right areas hence 2 one on ones recently but just slightly askew with the end shot. Still think it’s harsh to judge him after he’s missed 2 chances but that’s all he’s had in 5 truncated outings this season. Perhaps Harris should start and Watters come on against a tiring defence.
