We desperately need to sort our strikers out. They must have cost us 20 points this season with not being able to find the back of the net. Nowt wrong with Ritchie in the squad although I think we need to improve on him in terms of first choice right winger.
Goes without saying the likes of Manqy should be nowhere, but I'm talking about first teamers that have no right being on a PL pitch. Definitely Gayle, should be in the Evostik or Scottish Premier. Joselu's not a footballer either. Ritchie is just painful at times, all shouty and pointy, yet breaks down more attacks than N'Golo Kante and Sergio Ramos combined. Perez has shown flashes, but too weak, and has reverted to the player he was pre-Xmas. Yedlin got into some positions but crossing would be better if he passed to the linesman. Dummy's a bit low rent, just about passable. Lejeune/Lascelles are as good as we can get, keeper's fine, Shelvey at least passes forward and to team-mates, Diame's been best player since Feb but is 32 next season. Kenedy's gone, so moot point. Murphy looks lost. Quite what he did for the chance was mystifying - "right, I'm five yards from goal, let's see if I can blast it to the corner flag." Where has Atsu gone? The subs are absolute dross.
Far more reasonable. Our strikers are certainly the overwhelming issue. With todays transfer prices I can't guess how Rafa will be able to rectify it. Who could he attract who can guarantee us the goals for sub £15million?
More shots than Spurs, played better, but had Gayle and Perez. Gayle's "header" was something chronic, but his miss from Diame's pass was worse. He literally chipped it to Lloris. Jaw-droppingly poor. Just ****ing hit it. Then you've got Perez air-shot, Murphy's deliberate miss. If we score four, nobody complained. We scored none, and nobody was surprised. Joselu did absolutely nothing. We're desperate for a goal, they have the ball, it breaks for us in our half and lands at Shelvey who looks up.....and Joselu is about 15 yards away on the touchline. The guy just doesn't know anything at all. Fair enough for Ritchie's attitude, but he doesn't have a fast football brain at all, his mind is too ponderous, too busy thinking about who he has to point and shout at next.
Atsu had a knee operation I believe: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spo...news/christian-atsu-miss-rest-season-14617103
Ah, was a genuine question! Is it as simple as their life’s not on the line so they’re back to being low level plodders? You’d think Gayle would at least be thinking “if I don’t sort this out I’m getting personally relegated”.
He's played a big part in our recent good run, scoring key goals and helping ensure we stayed up. I'll agree he should be upgraded, but think he should be kept in the squad for sure. We are certain to have limited funds so we need Rafa to be zeroed in on strikers. I think he will be, but it will be interesting to see how he can solve the issue with Lee wheeling and dealing with Mike's pocket change budget.
I think they all put a shift in tonight. Gayle was terrible, Perez not great in the last 3rd, but the midfield and defence did their jobs and worked hard. I think we were unlucky to lose that game to be honest. I don't think Gayle is up to the task and will be moved on. We need 2 strikers (maybe one on loan), a number 10, a RW, a RB, a LB and a CM, that's assuming we sign Dubravka and Kenedy. They replace Gayle, Mitro, Hayden, Manquillo, Gamez and Haidara and the squad will be quite a bit stronger - obviously we need to be looking at a grade or two above in terms of quality. It's unrealistic to expect every player with weaknesses to be replaced in one go though.
Yeah but so has Yedlin and Perez. Agree it has to be a big striker. But by God I hope we sack off Gayle and Jos before binning Mitrovic. Don’t even mind if it’s all three, just can’t bear to have those two steal a living any more.
We won’t sign Kenedy, except perhaps on loan but hugely unlikely. We will be limited so likely stick with the two rbs and maybe add a backup lb. cm we still have merino. It’s the front line all need work. I’d sell Murphy too, it hasn’t worked.
I think you guys may be trying to fend off bids for Lascelles and Shelvey (who ran the show) on last night's evidence. You deserved a lot more from last night, tbh.
Knowing Ashley we won't be fending off too hard. So long as he gets the price he's after then he'll happily sell.
Players like Ritchie I have time for, I wouldn't have him starting games but he's important around the squad and brings some experience to a very young team. As others are saying its CF's that are the problem. Not going to get my Mitrovic banner out and quote stats and facts but I'd honestly sell Gayle and Joselu, keep Armstrong and Mitro as back up and spend all of our budget on a PROVEN striker, anything left over can go towards a full back like Santon who can cover either side.
I would usually be of the opinion to only sell if we replace but I'm sure we can replace him with just about anyone to be honest. Cash Really??
