Sagbo is an enigma, because he really doesn't lack any of the skills required to be a good striker, but for some reason it doesn't quite happen for him. He's strong, reasonably fast and he's got one of the best shots on him out of anyone in our squad, yet he doesn't score.
Thing is, he does score when he's in the right position, it's getting him to stop drifting towards the corner flag that'll improve his game.
Sagbo has scored 2 from 28 appearances and we simply cannot afford to carry 'passengers' at this level. He's a Rock Hudson type - looks the part but isn't!
Sorry but how can you know that from thousands of miles away? Those of us who see him play can see he isn't a bad player at all. Tommy was right, he just needs to stop running out wide!
You are kinda neglecting the fact that Jelly and Long didnt show up until January. If we had both of them from the beginning of the season like we will this season we would have been 2 or 3 places higher up the table. We will be fine and if they get 20 goals between them we will be more than fine. There is just no way at all that we are going to go out and get a striker this transfer window that will score more than Jelly and Long. No chance in the least. I also certainly do not think that 18 goals between our other players is a lot. Davies (2 or 3), Chester (2 or 3), Snodgrass (6 last season), Ince (3 or 4), Hudd (3 or 4), Livermore (3 or 4), Brady (4 or 5), Aluko (4 or 5) = 27-34. Others will bang in a few as well. Feel free to change the numbers to ones you like but the idea that we cant find 18 goals between all our other players is sort of laughable.
Actually, I still think there's a chance we'll sign Bendtner and that he'll displace Jelavic in the starting XI.
Steve Bruce has it all in hand. Now that Joe Dudgeon has signed his new contract and assuming that the Dawson and Robertson deals happen then just a striker to replace Matty Fryatt. Plus 2 loans at some time in August. The squad looks very good and a top 10 finish is well within the playing ability with a bit of luck.
You forgot Meyler who could add 4 or 5 and Ince has scored 1 in 3 throughout his career including 30 in 100 for Blackpool so I'd expect 7 or 8 from him. If Aluko stays fit he could also have a big season.
Just because Bendtner came from a big club doesn't mean to say he is a good player and I would much rather have Jelavic than Bendtner.
Those who want more than 20 from Long and Jelavic are deluded, we aren't going to get a goalscorer who scores more than 10+ In the Premier League last year only Bony in the bottom half scored more than 15 in the league and he cost 12M, the other scorer in bottom half who scored more than 10 was Benteke. So out of 10 teams only two strikers scored more than 10 so if Jelavic and Long get 10 each we should be delighted. A lot of you think a striker needs a 1 in 2 record, no they don't. Benteke they think is worth 20M+ now and he scored 10 last year, so lets take a step back and be happy with what we have. If we can improve that with a striker like Bendtner i will be happy but it shouldn't be a priority as the statistics show.
PLT made a very good point earlier in the season (it might even have been last season) that a strikers ability is more than just about scoring goals (which at the time I disagreed with but have now come to understand - sorry pal ). You could spend £50m on one striker but if he nets 3 times in a season is he still worth that? No, of course not, and it works both ways. The partnership that Long and Jelavic had last season blossomed very quickly; many times we see new players come in and take time to gel, but we didn't have to worry about a bedding in period at all. The two play off each other extremely well and given more playing time, I think they'll do very well together. I think a lot of people's problem with Jelavic is that he isn't high profile enough, he doesn't come across as an attractive player. But if you watch his movement and the positions he gets himself into, he's always looking at how he get Long in behind, or how he can pick the ball up for a shot on goal. His game against Cardiff was a joy to behold. The strikers we have are just fine, it's really not a problem area. If we get an injury to one, we could easily just shift to a different formation and play one up front and stick another midfielder in. We'll probably get a loan from another club, if a striker was going to come from anywhere. Oh, hang on a minute. We need to shift Proschwitz.
You can throw in a few own goals for us into that list too. I'd never turn my nose up at another quality striker, but I think we're well covered there. We need more options in the full backs, another quality centre back and the cherry on top would be someone giving us something different in central midfield.
Must have missed those games where he was our lone striker and was brilliant. He wasn't best on ground at home against Liverpool for nothing. He didn't score in that game either!!
That's why Bruce has added Ince. A goal every three games in his career. We're well covered at WB with Elmo Snodgrass Brady and Boyd. Ince will fit in the hole to give us an additional goal threat.
Needed, if we wish to attack all competitions: Striker (Bendtner) CB (Dawson) RB (??????) LB (??????) It's all about goals and options, it's about getting the best out of every player and raising their game, that, in turn raises the game of others. Either Long or Jelavic could excel, or Sagbo could step-up. Ince in the hole, with an up-for-it Brady wide, is something to whett the appetite. Then you have Aluko, Elmo and Snodgrass to inject into proceedings. Bruce will look to settle his defence into being able to switch between a central 3 or 4; either from the start or to change the dynamics mid-game. A well drilled, but changeable defence offers the strong basis to flex the midfield options to create chances and play into the final third - do that and the goals will come from all over - options and goals, that is what will define our season. To achieve this we don't need to run down the ability of any of our squad,, but instead, look to their strengths, why SB brought them in and what the increased options offer them to grow as players. Fill those spots wisely and we have very serious potential that then has to be fulfilled.
Every PL game is on TV live in Aus, so I reckon that Aus based fans see more games that almost all UK based fans.
While this is true, when I went over and watched games from the stand I realised how much you miss watching it on TV.
The same way I can tell that Ronaldo, Messi Robben and Van Persie are brilliant players from 'thousands of miles away'! You can watch him all you like and he will not turn into a player anywhere near average for the premier league. He hasn't got it.
