I keep seeing posts on this forum saying: We need a striker. We don't have a No.9 or No.10 We need someone with premier league experience. We need someone who can score goals in this league. We need someone to play up front. If I was Defoe and reading this I would be feeling fairly bad. The lad has experience and can score goals, in fact he scored in the first game of the season. It appears everyone has written him off already? He is actually a No.9 plays on the last mans shoulder, he can also go past a man and can score from range too. All you need to do is either give him the ball in space or get the ball into the right area in the box. If you do that he will score goals and is capable of 10 in a season. Where he is no good is if you hoof the ball high in the air up front to him, if we are going to play like that we might as well sell Defoe and be prepared for another relegation fight. The problem we have is not signing a striker, the problem is signing someone who can give a striker the ball in the right positions.
I think the problem is that he belongs in a 4-4-2 One thing is for certain - he is not suited to receiving the ball in to feet in a deep position with an opposing centre half getting physical with him
Yup can't see the problem one game one goal, Defoe or the formation isn't the problem it's the supply line which is what I'm sure congers will be working hard to fix.. Nothing to say we won't still get dembele when he's fit right??
The problem is Defoe doesn't fit Advocaat's system. He's said as much. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...derlands-dick-advocaat-admits-jermain-9829760
But like he proved on Saturday he still scores goals so I don't know what he's talking about!! We had the same **** with Gus you have to change "your system" to suit the players you have available it really is that simple. I'm hoping to see two up top and Saturday and I think that's what he will pick.
He only scored after we went to 4-4-2 though. That's what Dick is saying. And against half decent teams we will get exposed playing an outdated formation like that. Having said that, I don't actually agree with what Dick is saying. Defoe and Lens worked quite well together I thought before Fletch was introduced, Defoe just needs to get used to the system a bit more.
Couldn't disagree more ate! Opinions eh! Defoe was ideal in a 4-4-2 system back in the day. Was woeful on Saturday 4-5-1! Scored but did nothing else all game which is fine but he couldn't trap a bag of cement! Which, in essence, means he needs the ball in front of him to score. Where he can put it in without involving others. Every longish ball to him bounced off and he got muscled off the ball so much. Can't afford that. Might as well have kept Wickham as he was better at it than Defoe and neither are very good at getting others involved!
So whats everyone saying sell Defoe? I would say stop playing the ball to a forward to hold it up and get the ball in front of him or down the flanks.
Defoe has and allways will score. He may be no spring chicken. But he is a natural goal scorer. Supply him and he will finish the job.
Defoe is a dying breed, a relic of 4-4-2 Players like him and Owen now as youngus would be forced to adapt to play wide or try and improve their overall game to be attacking centre midfielders.
