| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? 16:41 - Jan 25 with 1196 views | jasondozzell |
We're so careful with signings in general. I will whether KMac might prefer to keep going with Broady and Jackson as number 9s, sign a young up and coming striker or two as a work in progress (Al Hamadi type) and not get lured into spending silly money on a replacement who is not an ideal fit in the long term. Chappers and Harness have both played striker too.
At first it seemed obvious that signing a Hirst replacement (or two!) was our only option. But maybe that's not possible? A direct replacement is going to be expensive and may not be available or might be a stop gap.
Kmac seems very loyal to his players and Hirst was clearly signed to be first choice striker at this level and with the possibility of being able to do the same at prem level with his potential.
It takes time for players to get up to speed with our way of playing.
Perhaps there's a line of thought that says securing a top level competitor for Hirst's shirt isn't the right fit. Relying on loans makes it trickier still.
Still keen to see strikers walk through the door but it's a tricky balancing act leaving the squad ready for football at champ or Prem level next season. [Post edited 25 Jan 2024 16:47]
|  | | |  |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 16:43 - Jan 25 with 1165 views | Steve_M |
The risk if we don't is that the season tails off quite badly. Al-Hamadi gives us another option but still feels like we're a forward down on where we want to be.
Given we wanted another striker in the Summer, then I still think we need two now, even if one is a loan. |  |
| |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 16:46 - Jan 25 with 1126 views | jasondozzell |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 16:43 - Jan 25 by Steve_M |
The risk if we don't is that the season tails off quite badly. Al-Hamadi gives us another option but still feels like we're a forward down on where we want to be.
Given we wanted another striker in the Summer, then I still think we need two now, even if one is a loan. |
I would tend to agree but we didn't chase targets in the summer even though it looked as though we wanted another striker on top of Hirst.
Luongo extension another reminder - can hear kmac saying the biggest signings are those already in the building.
I do share your concern. It's just not very easy to find someone with Hirst's profile within reach. [Post edited 25 Jan 2024 17:13]
| | | |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 16:47 - Jan 25 with 1104 views | NthQldITFC |
Maybe. I thought Broady dropped deep quite a lot and allowed Hutchinson in particular and Burns and to some extent Sarmiento to take 'point' in the last thirty at Leicester. And it worked really well. Couple that with Jackson's ability to run in behind or close down centre-backs for an hour and you've got a nice blend of options without an out and out focal point up there. With someone else (like Al Hamadi for example) who can run at defenders and also steal the ball off them a bit... yeah, maybe.
I'd still like a Hirst type too, mind. |  |
| |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 17:16 - Jan 25 with 1008 views | jasondozzell |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 16:47 - Jan 25 by NthQldITFC |
Maybe. I thought Broady dropped deep quite a lot and allowed Hutchinson in particular and Burns and to some extent Sarmiento to take 'point' in the last thirty at Leicester. And it worked really well. Couple that with Jackson's ability to run in behind or close down centre-backs for an hour and you've got a nice blend of options without an out and out focal point up there. With someone else (like Al Hamadi for example) who can run at defenders and also steal the ball off them a bit... yeah, maybe.
I'd still like a Hirst type too, mind. |
Yes, we looked a real handful with that movement. False 9 or whatever is the trendy thing to call it.
Agree that we've got the potential to play like that without Hirst linking everything.
If anyone can shift style of play to get as much out of what he's got it's KMac.
If anything it feels like he prefers working on solutions than chasing players. He's cautious and rightly so.
But as you say, a Hirst signing would make us feel more secure. [Post edited 25 Jan 2024 17:17]
| | | |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 17:38 - Jan 25 with 869 views | CBMTOBWMMBG |
Nicely argued and I tend to agree.
Getting in another 10 / winger in Sarmiento was a surprise, and he might well be one or the two 'forwards' we were looking for anyway.
Maybe we're looking at various options with a replacement Hirst as #1 plan, and flexibility across the whole front line as the next option?
It would be typical of McKenna to think up a new style of playing over the last few weeks to surprise us all, and especially our opponents! |  | | |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 17:41 - Jan 25 with 846 views | Churchman |
We need somebody in to replace Hirst and give us options up front. Simple as that.
However, it isn’t really as simple as that. The care you point out when it comes to signings is obvious and very welcome. It doesn’t always work - even the very best get it wrong sometimes but it’s far better than some of the methods this club has used in the last couple of decades.
Just wheeling in Johnny Anybody carries a risk not just of wasted money but disturbing a close knit squad. I quite like the idea of bringing in a 21 year old with potential, if we cannot get a direct replacement, but if we have to go with what we’ve got, so be it. I like what I’ve seen of the two we have brought in this month will be real assets. Hutchinson up the middle looked a handful too.
It’s a really fine balancing act. |  | | |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 18:47 - Jan 25 with 720 views | jasondozzell |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 17:38 - Jan 25 by CBMTOBWMMBG |
Nicely argued and I tend to agree.
Getting in another 10 / winger in Sarmiento was a surprise, and he might well be one or the two 'forwards' we were looking for anyway.
Maybe we're looking at various options with a replacement Hirst as #1 plan, and flexibility across the whole front line as the next option?
It would be typical of McKenna to think up a new style of playing over the last few weeks to surprise us all, and especially our opponents! |
Cheers! You have to say it makes sense in a way - allows him to get Sarmiento, Hutch and Broady/Chappers in together.
We've never really under Kmac relied on a one striker scoring all the goals type. Freddie a bit in league one but he's always seen goals as coming from all over the team.
I thought we really looked dangerous against Leicester with that system. | | | |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 18:50 - Jan 25 with 705 views | jasondozzell |
| Case to be made for not signing a direct replacement for Hirst? on 17:41 - Jan 25 by Churchman |
We need somebody in to replace Hirst and give us options up front. Simple as that.
However, it isn’t really as simple as that. The care you point out when it comes to signings is obvious and very welcome. It doesn’t always work - even the very best get it wrong sometimes but it’s far better than some of the methods this club has used in the last couple of decades.
Just wheeling in Johnny Anybody carries a risk not just of wasted money but disturbing a close knit squad. I quite like the idea of bringing in a 21 year old with potential, if we cannot get a direct replacement, but if we have to go with what we’ve got, so be it. I like what I’ve seen of the two we have brought in this month will be real assets. Hutchinson up the middle looked a handful too.
It’s a really fine balancing act. |
Completely agree. And you've got at least a month for any striker like that go get up to speed. Hirst took a bit of time before.
I'm wondering if kmac is looking at it and thinking we've got 18 games to go - the players we've got are the most important.
Agree though that we need someone even if to be on the bench. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
