| Our current striker pool threat... 09:59 - Dec 1 with 1772 views | ArnieM |
Notwithstanding our apparent weakness in getting the ball into the box to whichever striker is playing. I thought id look at the calibre of our striker pool.... its not stunning reading in my humble opinion.
Hirst (age now 26)
21/22 Pompey ( loan) 40 games ( 13 goals)
22/23 Blackbur ( loan) 9 games ( 0 goals)
23- Town 67 games ( 21 goals)
Akpom ( age now 30)
2018/20 PACK 54 games ( 14 goals)
2020-23 Boro. 77 games ( 33 goals)
2023 Ajax ......42 games (14 goals)
2025 Lille.......14 games ( 3 goals)
2025 Town.....13 games ( 1 goal)
Szmodics ( now aged 30)
2020–2022 Peterborough United 79 games ( 21 goals)
2022–2024 Blackburn Rovers 79 games ( 33 goals)
2024–Ipswich 30 games ( 4 goals)
Azon ( age now 22)
2020-25 Zaragpoza 144 games ( 25 goals ) note ged have been a teenager for most of these games over 5 years, and likely lower level games.
2025 Town... 10 games ( 1 goal)
Just glancing at those figures it looks like Akpom is the better ( more effective ) striker. But he is 4 years older. He had one outlier season at Boro but that was only 2 yrs ago so likely relevant to his potential effecttiveness today.
Hirst, is approaching his prime years, at 26. Yet his career stats dont look stunning at all.
Azon, is just a very young striker. Most of his goals have come at an U21 youth level I suspect, so he can really only be viewed as WIP.
So our two main ( senior ) strikers there is a clear winner for bunging the ball in the net,which is what we need, yes? Akpom.
So you HAVE to ask, why is McKenna playing him as a #10??
We have lost the goals from the other forwards because McKenna either didnt play them and they've now left the club( Broadhead, Chaplin, Hutchinson), or they're injured ( Burns) who btw is 30 yrs old now and has been out of the game a year.
Of the younger replacements, Philogene has had a purple patch, ( 5 goals) but shocker, the opposition have sussed his cut in and strike tactic, and closed that door. What else does he / can he offer as a plan B?
Clarke, is similar player and identical strike rate and almost identical pattern of play, yet is used from the bench.
Why not play them both on either wing? Or at least try it.
Overall why, if you were the manager, wouldn't you play the more experienced and effective striker in that #9 role??
Its a wet day and im just mysing things really. No agenda... what do others feel re our striker threat?
Edit 7 Szmodics added [Post edited 1 Dec 13:11]
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:08 - Dec 1 with 1489 views | catch74 |
Hasn’t Akpom come on for Hirst for the last couple of games? |  |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:11 - Dec 1 with 1473 views | homer_123 |
Two reasons.
First: Akpom's best return (season) at Boro he played the 9 role (or CAM if you like).
Second: KM expects goals from all forward players, not just the striker. In fact, it's quite clear under KM that the lone striker role has a lot more to do than putting the ball in the onion bag. Triggering the press, link up play, hold up play, running in behind, drawing defenders out of position, I could go on. If you watch Hirst 'out of possession' the work he does is immense - all part of the wider attacking piece. Now, don't get me wrong, scoring is important. We may well see Akpom as that striker but the reason we see Hirst is what he gives to the team. It's one the reasons why Delap (as selfish has he was a striker and you do need that), isn't as a good a fit for us than Hirst (IMO). |  |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:15 - Dec 1 with 1451 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:08 - Dec 1 by catch74 |
Hasn’t Akpom come on for Hirst for the last couple of games? |
I think he did at Hull ( and Egelli played #10) which did look quite effective, but then he reverted to Hirst at #10 for Oxford.....
The striker role is not "the" problem alone, because for me we don't provide our strikers with a decent service in the box anyway. But if we bring in an out and out striker in Akpom , why is he not being started at #9? | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:16 - Dec 1 with 1437 views | FrimleyBlue |
I think KM is caught in a bit of a conundrum on how to utilise those players to the maximum benefit and it's quite difficult really
Hirst, has been that hold up forward, never prolific with goals for us but brought others into the side, he also was incredibly important with our high pressing game, he never needed to try and be quick when pressing but he seemed to have the ability to make the defenders go where we wanted them to go, our other forwards and midfield would then high up the pitch win the ball back and we'd go on the attack. That's not quite been our game this season, we aren't winning the ball back high up the pitch as much. so that's one difference.
Hold up play, don't know why, and no answers to give, but his hold up play doesn't look as strong.
But he's the most experienced forward we have at playing that specific forward role, so it makes sense why he plays it.
Akpom, was a 10 for boro, but much more of a direct 10 similar to sammy s, in which they scored most of their goals in the box itself, not many outside. But also he's a bit like a delap in a way where he likes to get the ball and drive, again similar to sammy s. The thing is that 10 role with chappers wasn't like that IMO, chappers sprayed the ball around, and then he'd make himself available for the cut back at the edge of the box etc, we don't seem to have this with akpom nor sammy s
So for me, Akpom does need to be given the striker role for a duration of time, if we're not high pressing and utilising hirsts pressing ability, and he's not holding the ball up well enough and we;re not utilising him as often via jayden or egli etc, then we need a forward on who can perhaps make something for himself and drive at goal with purpose and that is where i think akpom would shine.
Azon, I haven't really worked out what sort of forward he is. But looking back on some of his highlight videos, he played a fair bit on the wide left role, driving inside and getting shots off with his right foot... Maybe that would work similar to broady's position and then we'd get the best out of Davis?
Many variables, but I guess it all rather depends on where is KM trying to take his team, if it's to the style we were used to under KM then i think Hirst continues in the role, if however it's something different and it's just a bit of time before we see a bit more intensity with the ball then perhaps it's akpom.
Difficult one tbh
Pro's and cons to all. |  |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:28 - Dec 1 with 1386 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:11 - Dec 1 by homer_123 |
Two reasons.
First: Akpom's best return (season) at Boro he played the 9 role (or CAM if you like).
Second: KM expects goals from all forward players, not just the striker. In fact, it's quite clear under KM that the lone striker role has a lot more to do than putting the ball in the onion bag. Triggering the press, link up play, hold up play, running in behind, drawing defenders out of position, I could go on. If you watch Hirst 'out of possession' the work he does is immense - all part of the wider attacking piece. Now, don't get me wrong, scoring is important. We may well see Akpom as that striker but the reason we see Hirst is what he gives to the team. It's one the reasons why Delap (as selfish has he was a striker and you do need that), isn't as a good a fit for us than Hirst (IMO). |
I a tally agree with and I am aware of Hirsts "role", and have said ad much in previous posts defending Hirst. BUT, when we need a goid ole fashioned stick it in the net striker, maybe, just maybe Akpom could do a better job if he had a run of games.
The other forwards ( Philogene, Szmodics, Clarke, Egeli) for one reason or another are nowhere near as effective as the disbanded front line. There's not that intuiative understanding especially between Hirst and whichever #10, McKenna decides to try... Hirst and Chaplin was a special partnership in my humble opinion, yet Mckenna has decided in his infinate wisdom to ditch Chaplin and Broadhead, why? | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:35 - Dec 1 with 1343 views | homer_123 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:28 - Dec 1 by ArnieM |
I a tally agree with and I am aware of Hirsts "role", and have said ad much in previous posts defending Hirst. BUT, when we need a goid ole fashioned stick it in the net striker, maybe, just maybe Akpom could do a better job if he had a run of games.
The other forwards ( Philogene, Szmodics, Clarke, Egeli) for one reason or another are nowhere near as effective as the disbanded front line. There's not that intuiative understanding especially between Hirst and whichever #10, McKenna decides to try... Hirst and Chaplin was a special partnership in my humble opinion, yet Mckenna has decided in his infinate wisdom to ditch Chaplin and Broadhead, why? |
"BUT, when we need a goid ole fashioned stick it in the net striker."
OK, let's run with that - so a 'fox in the box' striker with an instinct for goals? So, we may find that the conversion rate might improve but what effect would that have on our overall ability to 'defend' from the front and 'create' opportunities?
What might we miss without a player like Hirst leading the line. It's simply not a case of putting a 'goal scorer' in there (which by the way, are a bit like hen's teeth anyway but we'll gloss over that). You need to look at the wider and bigger picture.
It's like the discussions we have had before, about being more solid at the back - yes, that's an option, but what do you lose going forward as a result? It's always a balancing act and this is the same. In short, yes, we might convert those chances a little better with a fox in the box but I doubt we'd create anywhere near as many chances and we'd not be winning the ball that much higher up the pitch.
Where we agree, I suspect, and I think is the bigger issue, we need to be collectively better at taking our chances. Egeli sticks that one inside the box away and I wonder what the outcome might, for example? [Post edited 1 Dec 10:37]
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:36 - Dec 1 with 1339 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:16 - Dec 1 by FrimleyBlue |
I think KM is caught in a bit of a conundrum on how to utilise those players to the maximum benefit and it's quite difficult really
Hirst, has been that hold up forward, never prolific with goals for us but brought others into the side, he also was incredibly important with our high pressing game, he never needed to try and be quick when pressing but he seemed to have the ability to make the defenders go where we wanted them to go, our other forwards and midfield would then high up the pitch win the ball back and we'd go on the attack. That's not quite been our game this season, we aren't winning the ball back high up the pitch as much. so that's one difference.
Hold up play, don't know why, and no answers to give, but his hold up play doesn't look as strong.
But he's the most experienced forward we have at playing that specific forward role, so it makes sense why he plays it.
Akpom, was a 10 for boro, but much more of a direct 10 similar to sammy s, in which they scored most of their goals in the box itself, not many outside. But also he's a bit like a delap in a way where he likes to get the ball and drive, again similar to sammy s. The thing is that 10 role with chappers wasn't like that IMO, chappers sprayed the ball around, and then he'd make himself available for the cut back at the edge of the box etc, we don't seem to have this with akpom nor sammy s
So for me, Akpom does need to be given the striker role for a duration of time, if we're not high pressing and utilising hirsts pressing ability, and he's not holding the ball up well enough and we;re not utilising him as often via jayden or egli etc, then we need a forward on who can perhaps make something for himself and drive at goal with purpose and that is where i think akpom would shine.
Azon, I haven't really worked out what sort of forward he is. But looking back on some of his highlight videos, he played a fair bit on the wide left role, driving inside and getting shots off with his right foot... Maybe that would work similar to broady's position and then we'd get the best out of Davis?
Many variables, but I guess it all rather depends on where is KM trying to take his team, if it's to the style we were used to under KM then i think Hirst continues in the role, if however it's something different and it's just a bit of time before we see a bit more intensity with the ball then perhaps it's akpom.
Difficult one tbh
Pro's and cons to all. |
If you watch Azon's goals reel then most of his goals are from no further than about 10 yards out. He is a goal poacher. His movement is actually very good and he invariably finds himself in the right position in the penalty area. I think he has been a combination of unlucky and wasteful so far to be honest. He's had 10 'big' chances and only scored 1 goal which isn't a good conversion rate but there have definitely been 2/3 very good saves from keepers in there.
Number 10 and wide right are bigger issues for me than the striker. I find it a bit odd that we've been vocal about seeing Egeli as a 10 long term but we've not played him there for more than a handful of minutes so far when we are struggling in that position. He's not really doing it for me wide right - not having enough impact. £38m spent on him/McAteer/Ogbene and have one assist to show for it and nobody that has given us more than Burns does. |  | | |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:39 - Dec 1 with 1309 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:36 - Dec 1 by tractorboy1978 |
If you watch Azon's goals reel then most of his goals are from no further than about 10 yards out. He is a goal poacher. His movement is actually very good and he invariably finds himself in the right position in the penalty area. I think he has been a combination of unlucky and wasteful so far to be honest. He's had 10 'big' chances and only scored 1 goal which isn't a good conversion rate but there have definitely been 2/3 very good saves from keepers in there.
Number 10 and wide right are bigger issues for me than the striker. I find it a bit odd that we've been vocal about seeing Egeli as a 10 long term but we've not played him there for more than a handful of minutes so far when we are struggling in that position. He's not really doing it for me wide right - not having enough impact. £38m spent on him/McAteer/Ogbene and have one assist to show for it and nobody that has given us more than Burns does. |
YEP, just saw another video and your spot on, fox in the box type isn't it.
Egelis useage is interesting as you say, on the longer highlight video on youtube, a good 90% of play is central, he still played a bit on the right side, but there's a lot of central play in his game. | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:40 - Dec 1 with 1308 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:16 - Dec 1 by FrimleyBlue |
I think KM is caught in a bit of a conundrum on how to utilise those players to the maximum benefit and it's quite difficult really
Hirst, has been that hold up forward, never prolific with goals for us but brought others into the side, he also was incredibly important with our high pressing game, he never needed to try and be quick when pressing but he seemed to have the ability to make the defenders go where we wanted them to go, our other forwards and midfield would then high up the pitch win the ball back and we'd go on the attack. That's not quite been our game this season, we aren't winning the ball back high up the pitch as much. so that's one difference.
Hold up play, don't know why, and no answers to give, but his hold up play doesn't look as strong.
But he's the most experienced forward we have at playing that specific forward role, so it makes sense why he plays it.
Akpom, was a 10 for boro, but much more of a direct 10 similar to sammy s, in which they scored most of their goals in the box itself, not many outside. But also he's a bit like a delap in a way where he likes to get the ball and drive, again similar to sammy s. The thing is that 10 role with chappers wasn't like that IMO, chappers sprayed the ball around, and then he'd make himself available for the cut back at the edge of the box etc, we don't seem to have this with akpom nor sammy s
So for me, Akpom does need to be given the striker role for a duration of time, if we're not high pressing and utilising hirsts pressing ability, and he's not holding the ball up well enough and we;re not utilising him as often via jayden or egli etc, then we need a forward on who can perhaps make something for himself and drive at goal with purpose and that is where i think akpom would shine.
Azon, I haven't really worked out what sort of forward he is. But looking back on some of his highlight videos, he played a fair bit on the wide left role, driving inside and getting shots off with his right foot... Maybe that would work similar to broady's position and then we'd get the best out of Davis?
Many variables, but I guess it all rather depends on where is KM trying to take his team, if it's to the style we were used to under KM then i think Hirst continues in the role, if however it's something different and it's just a bit of time before we see a bit more intensity with the ball then perhaps it's akpom.
Difficult one tbh
Pro's and cons to all. |
Yes, I agree with you totally re Hirst' role and have said as much to Homer's post too. Its clear from the data in OP Hirst has never been a prolific goal scorer, but his work rare and other " duties" for 69 mins are completely outstanding and I can see why McKenna persists with him for that role alone. But the other forwards we niw have are nowhere close to as effective and consistent as the " band of brothers" he decided to ditch in favour of Philogene, Clarke & Szmodics. Although fir Szmodics i have no idea why hes nowhere near his Blackburn form. Maybe its good old fashioned player chemistry/ understanding. I fo wonder sometimes if this insistence on closing down and working hard running, running, running by the forwards when off the ball actually determine ts from their attacking potrntisl when we do eventually get the ball...... I dont know. But our forwards are nowhere near as effective a
combination and our prinary striker ( Hirst) is not a prolific s over, so if the other forwards are now, nowhere near as effective as a group, this is our problem.
So, people staying " we need another striker", are maybe missing the other factors, eg, effective, coheisive other forwards in that front line, our poor ability to get the ball to the those forwards (striker?) in the box.... | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:40 - Dec 1 with 1308 views | SomethingBlue |
We don't have enough threat there, no, although I love Hirst and thought he actually put himself about well the other night. Azon clearly has something but ideally you'd be bedding him in for a year rather than relying on him to play a huge part in getting us up. Akpom does have previous in the 9 but not sure if he has the presence for what we really need longer-term.
Basically we do need someone to come in there in January, and it's annoying we are in that position because we shouldn't be. I note that Roma may send Evan Ferguson back to Brighton at the end of this month; he's obviously a very long-term target and wonder if he's one we'd try to throw some serious money at until the end of the season. | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:43 - Dec 1 with 1282 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:35 - Dec 1 by homer_123 |
"BUT, when we need a goid ole fashioned stick it in the net striker."
OK, let's run with that - so a 'fox in the box' striker with an instinct for goals? So, we may find that the conversion rate might improve but what effect would that have on our overall ability to 'defend' from the front and 'create' opportunities?
What might we miss without a player like Hirst leading the line. It's simply not a case of putting a 'goal scorer' in there (which by the way, are a bit like hen's teeth anyway but we'll gloss over that). You need to look at the wider and bigger picture.
It's like the discussions we have had before, about being more solid at the back - yes, that's an option, but what do you lose going forward as a result? It's always a balancing act and this is the same. In short, yes, we might convert those chances a little better with a fox in the box but I doubt we'd create anywhere near as many chances and we'd not be winning the ball that much higher up the pitch.
Where we agree, I suspect, and I think is the bigger issue, we need to be collectively better at taking our chances. Egeli sticks that one inside the box away and I wonder what the outcome might, for example? [Post edited 1 Dec 10:37]
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Why cant we have a striker that can do both?
What about the other forwards into the line doing that out of possession role,
Or, a different line up giving us more than just 2 midfielders ( who i often feel are outnumbered in games anyway)
Personally i feel our midfield is the link between defence and attack and as ive said they're often outnumbered.
I suppose the way we use Hirst, we are actually forfeiting an out and out ( granted rare) striker, because hus role is everything but scoring goals really isn't it. [Post edited 1 Dec 10:46]
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:44 - Dec 1 with 1257 views | homer_123 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:43 - Dec 1 by ArnieM |
Why cant we have a striker that can do both?
What about the other forwards into the line doing that out of possession role,
Or, a different line up giving us more than just 2 midfielders ( who i often feel are outnumbered in games anyway)
Personally i feel our midfield is the link between defence and attack and as ive said they're often outnumbered.
I suppose the way we use Hirst, we are actually forfeiting an out and out ( granted rare) striker, because hus role is everything but scoring goals really isn't it. [Post edited 1 Dec 10:46]
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Why cant we have a striker that can do both? - Yep, that would be ideal - I cannot name one that is available to us at this level - Delap was the closest.
What about the other forwards into the line doing that out of possession role, - they do, Hirst sets the press more often than not but we never press individually (and nor should we)
Or, a different line up giving us more than just 2 midfielders ( who i often feel are outnumbered in games anyway) - line up or formation? | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:53 - Dec 1 with 1200 views | Bobbychase |
Only two teams have scored more than us this season, Coventry and Hull. We've not quite clicked in some games but this weird theory that we are somehow goalshy is a bit odd. |  |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:56 - Dec 1 with 1181 views | chicoazul |
Tell us you don’t go to games without telling us you don’t go to games. |  |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:10 - Dec 1 with 1141 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:44 - Dec 1 by homer_123 |
Why cant we have a striker that can do both? - Yep, that would be ideal - I cannot name one that is available to us at this level - Delap was the closest.
What about the other forwards into the line doing that out of possession role, - they do, Hirst sets the press more often than not but we never press individually (and nor should we)
Or, a different line up giving us more than just 2 midfielders ( who i often feel are outnumbered in games anyway) - line up or formation? |
Lol, I realise its not a simple answer and the issues are multi faceted. Im not completely blind to how we play, and I do understand and have defended Hirsts role in other SM outlets so to speak.
Maybe a change of tactics/ formation ,call it what you like might be worth a try. But I do wonder why previously effective players st their fiormer clubs join us and disappear in terms of form eg Szmodics, Clarke. But our bew forwards dont appear as effective as the old fireard line maybe that's down to rotation? I honestly dont know...
Meant to say , If Akpom is thd more fox in the box type of striker maybe he should be coming on (after Hirsts softening up role ) earlier, say on 60 mins and not 70 + mins....
Ps thank you for indulging in conversation with me. Appreciated. [Post edited 1 Dec 11:14]
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:41 - Dec 1 with 1023 views | ElderGrizzly |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:53 - Dec 1 by Bobbychase |
Only two teams have scored more than us this season, Coventry and Hull. We've not quite clicked in some games but this weird theory that we are somehow goalshy is a bit odd. |
Agree to a point, but we've also missed 37 clear chances apparently.
So while we are scoring, we are missing A LOT of very good opportunities. Does anyone have the breakdown of who has missed those 37?
I do think we need another option in January though and we should use our financial advantage to do that. Especially while the league is so open. [Post edited 1 Dec 11:42]
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:51 - Dec 1 with 963 views | mellowblue |
Cripes, I did not realize Azon is only 22, looks every bit a 30 year old journeyman. | | | |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:53 - Dec 1 with 957 views | mellowblue |
Why did you leave Szmods out of the analysis? Like Akpom, he is much more of a striker than a 10. | | | |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:53 - Dec 1 with 959 views | davblue |
we have 11 goals from our 3 players behind the striker by my bad maths.
Clarke-5
Philogene-5
Akpom-1
think that's far more of a worry and they have been the main source of goals in a McKenna team. 1 goal between Sammie, Akpom, Egeli and McAteer. Our Back up left sided player has more goals than all of them.
Nunez has 3 goals, but he's not been recruited for that part of the team and is very much a stop gap as far as im concerned in the 10 position. |  | | |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:58 - Dec 1 with 932 views | homer_123 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:10 - Dec 1 by ArnieM |
Lol, I realise its not a simple answer and the issues are multi faceted. Im not completely blind to how we play, and I do understand and have defended Hirsts role in other SM outlets so to speak.
Maybe a change of tactics/ formation ,call it what you like might be worth a try. But I do wonder why previously effective players st their fiormer clubs join us and disappear in terms of form eg Szmodics, Clarke. But our bew forwards dont appear as effective as the old fireard line maybe that's down to rotation? I honestly dont know...
Meant to say , If Akpom is thd more fox in the box type of striker maybe he should be coming on (after Hirsts softening up role ) earlier, say on 60 mins and not 70 + mins....
Ps thank you for indulging in conversation with me. Appreciated. [Post edited 1 Dec 11:14]
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As frustrating as we have been at times this season - we are not far away from clicking (IMHO).
That might be a payer like Hirst finding a vein of form in front of goal or collectively winning a few games quite comfortably.
I'm not averse to trying Akpom for a run of games - he has different attributes and Hirst may benefit for a rest. I'm less sure that a change in formation/ wholesale line-up changes are needed, I think if we were languishing in 15th [shudder] than I'd be as supportive as the next. We are 8th with a game in hand (granted not an easy one as such). Of course, with a little but more clinical finishing we'd be top half of the play off places - so I get the frustration.
No issues discussing that though fella. That's the point of the board - it's easier to discuss and debate when people are open to alternative perspectives. I'm not expecting to 'change your mind' I'm just sharing my views. I can see where you are coming from and why, I see it differently but ultimately we want the same outcome, right? | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 12:02 - Dec 1 with 914 views | homer_123 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:41 - Dec 1 by ElderGrizzly |
Agree to a point, but we've also missed 37 clear chances apparently.
So while we are scoring, we are missing A LOT of very good opportunities. Does anyone have the breakdown of who has missed those 37?
I do think we need another option in January though and we should use our financial advantage to do that. Especially while the league is so open. [Post edited 1 Dec 11:42]
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I don't have those but my gut feel is that it's spread across those attacking players. Not evenly maybe but suspect all are culpable to a degree. | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 12:05 - Dec 1 with 899 views | homer_123 |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 10:40 - Dec 1 by SomethingBlue |
We don't have enough threat there, no, although I love Hirst and thought he actually put himself about well the other night. Azon clearly has something but ideally you'd be bedding him in for a year rather than relying on him to play a huge part in getting us up. Akpom does have previous in the 9 but not sure if he has the presence for what we really need longer-term.
Basically we do need someone to come in there in January, and it's annoying we are in that position because we shouldn't be. I note that Roma may send Evan Ferguson back to Brighton at the end of this month; he's obviously a very long-term target and wonder if he's one we'd try to throw some serious money at until the end of the season. |
"...and it's annoying we are in that position because we shouldn't be..."
I think most of us would agree with that statement. Feels like an annual issue for us?
I've spent a lot of time watching Hirst off the ball - he does so much quality work for the team it's unreal. I can see why KM likes him. In a way, I suspect he's a bit like Emile Heskey - in that those who actually play with him, love him and really value him as a team mate (as did managers etc.). From a supporters perspective, heavily underrated though. | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 12:06 - Dec 1 with 899 views | mellowblue |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:53 - Dec 1 by davblue |
we have 11 goals from our 3 players behind the striker by my bad maths.
Clarke-5
Philogene-5
Akpom-1
think that's far more of a worry and they have been the main source of goals in a McKenna team. 1 goal between Sammie, Akpom, Egeli and McAteer. Our Back up left sided player has more goals than all of them.
Nunez has 3 goals, but he's not been recruited for that part of the team and is very much a stop gap as far as im concerned in the 10 position. |
I can see Nunez becoming an enigma like Cajuste is already, does not really have the ball control for that 10 position and has been less productive in that position than I hoped, yet in the midfield 2 is not that defensively minded and he does not cover for Leif as well as Taylor does (apart from on Friday, 2nd goal) | | | |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 12:41 - Dec 1 with 834 views | Bobbychase |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:41 - Dec 1 by ElderGrizzly |
Agree to a point, but we've also missed 37 clear chances apparently.
So while we are scoring, we are missing A LOT of very good opportunities. Does anyone have the breakdown of who has missed those 37?
I do think we need another option in January though and we should use our financial advantage to do that. Especially while the league is so open. [Post edited 1 Dec 11:42]
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Come on down Josh Sargent | |
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| Our current striker pool threat... on 13:05 - Dec 1 with 763 views | ArnieM |
| Our current striker pool threat... on 11:53 - Dec 1 by mellowblue |
Why did you leave Szmods out of the analysis? Like Akpom, he is much more of a striker than a 10. |
When has Mckenna ever played him as an out and out striker? Why cant he hit a barn door now compared to his BB form.....
Ps feel free to add him into the equation. Thank you
edit; there you go, ive added him . Not sure why I missed him out tbh . It was an oversight [Post edited 1 Dec 13:12]
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