| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable 10:31 - Feb 2 with 4396 views | IP1Blue |
If we don’t sign a striker, that is borderline unforgivable which as it stands is looking likely!
We knew Liam Delap was leaving from March last year when we let him start taking to other clubs around the country.
Ivan Azon we only signed in the last week of the summer window (after turning the deal down earlier on in the window) as we failed to sign anyone else.
To now go through 2 consecutive windows without signing a quality striker is borderline unforgivable especially if we don’t end up going up. |  | | |  |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:33 - Feb 2 with 2558 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Think the club had a lot of faith in Hirst. Which I do understand to an extent. |  |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:34 - Feb 2 with 2537 views | Herbivore |
We initially pulled out of the Azon deal because it was a loan to buy and there was an issue with his medical. He was pretty high up our list of targets and he's a decent striker, albeit he needs to improve his finishing. Delap went for £30m and was worth more than that, we were never going to replace him with like for like quality. The need for a striker has arisen through a combination of Hirst being horribly out of form, Azon not being clinical enough, and Akpom offering next to nothing so far. At the end of the last window our striking options looked fine. |  |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:38 - Feb 2 with 2479 views | Zx1988 |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:34 - Feb 2 by Herbivore |
We initially pulled out of the Azon deal because it was a loan to buy and there was an issue with his medical. He was pretty high up our list of targets and he's a decent striker, albeit he needs to improve his finishing. Delap went for £30m and was worth more than that, we were never going to replace him with like for like quality. The need for a striker has arisen through a combination of Hirst being horribly out of form, Azon not being clinical enough, and Akpom offering next to nothing so far. At the end of the last window our striking options looked fine. |
Re your last sentence - yes and no.
I know that there was a certain amount of discontent that, despite concerns about his quality, Al Hamadi was allowed to leave without us having obtained a replacement.
Regardless of how they did, finishing the window with two 'designated' strikers always felt a little uncomfortable. We'd have been rather jiggered had either Azon or Hirst suffered a serious injury. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:39 - Feb 2 with 2466 views | Herbivore |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:33 - Feb 2 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Think the club had a lot of faith in Hirst. Which I do understand to an extent. |
Indeed. There is, as always, a lot of hindsight bias. People last season were saying we should start Hirst ahead of Delap in the second half of the season as he was a better fit and his goals to minutes ratio last season was very good. He also had a very strong preseason, and let's not forget he also led the line for us the last time we went up. Most were expecting him to be our main man with someone coming in to compete with him, which is why we signed Azon. We also brought in Akpom as versatile cover/competition. Sadly, Hirst has largely been gash for most of the season which I imagine nobody foresaw. Azon is a good player and is improving all the time but he's not a natural finisher. Akpom, well I'm not sure what Akpom is to be honest based on what we've seen so far. Those issues have made the need for a striker a pressing one. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:39 - Feb 2 with 2470 views | LeoMuff |
We are second top scorers in the league, we have plenty of goals in this side. A striker would be very helpful, but it’s not like 23/24 when our main fit striker was Kayden Jackson.
We would be ok if we don’t land one. |  |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:42 - Feb 2 with 2388 views | IP1Blue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:34 - Feb 2 by Herbivore |
We initially pulled out of the Azon deal because it was a loan to buy and there was an issue with his medical. He was pretty high up our list of targets and he's a decent striker, albeit he needs to improve his finishing. Delap went for £30m and was worth more than that, we were never going to replace him with like for like quality. The need for a striker has arisen through a combination of Hirst being horribly out of form, Azon not being clinical enough, and Akpom offering next to nothing so far. At the end of the last window our striking options looked fine. |
But you’ve just answered why Azon was a risk if there was issues with medical etc We pulled out of the deal so to then go back in for the deal, shows we failed to sign an alternative!
I’m not saying we need a like for like quality replacement for Delap but we needed a replacement and we had ample time to plan and sort that out! To say every team wants a striker which I have heard people say, is such a lazy excuse as many other teams have been able to bring some in!
Akpom wasn’t signed as a’9’, he has only played there a few times! | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:43 - Feb 2 with 2378 views | Herbivore |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:38 - Feb 2 by Zx1988 |
Re your last sentence - yes and no.
I know that there was a certain amount of discontent that, despite concerns about his quality, Al Hamadi was allowed to leave without us having obtained a replacement.
Regardless of how they did, finishing the window with two 'designated' strikers always felt a little uncomfortable. We'd have been rather jiggered had either Azon or Hirst suffered a serious injury. |
Wed signed Akpom, who has played as both a 10 and as an out and out centre forward. I think it's rewriting history to say we only had two forwards. Part of the appeal of Akpom was his ability to cover a few roles for us. He's been drek in all of them, which is a shame, but the intent was there. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:46 - Feb 2 with 2325 views | Herbivore |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:42 - Feb 2 by IP1Blue |
But you’ve just answered why Azon was a risk if there was issues with medical etc We pulled out of the deal so to then go back in for the deal, shows we failed to sign an alternative!
I’m not saying we need a like for like quality replacement for Delap but we needed a replacement and we had ample time to plan and sort that out! To say every team wants a striker which I have heard people say, is such a lazy excuse as many other teams have been able to bring some in!
Akpom wasn’t signed as a’9’, he has only played there a few times! |
But we did sign a replacement for Delap, Azon was that replacement. And despite us being worried enough to not want to commit to signing him permanently, we clearly felt it wasn't a big risk to take him on a straight loan. And that's been proved correct as his fitness and availability has been good this season.
Akpom has played as a 9 quite a lot in his career. He's only played there a couple of times for us because we've needed him more as a 10, initially anyway, and he's also not been very good hence barely starting at all in the last few months. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:46 - Feb 2 with 2313 views | BloomBlue |
But we signed Akpom.
Look back on TWTD when the rumours about Akpom going to Brum first surfaced. Loads of comments about why isn't Ashton going for a striker like Akpom, his championship record is a no-brainer. A few even questioned our lack of ambition if Brum buy him and we don't. A few of those same posters now moaning he was always a one season wonder - hindsight hey. |  | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:47 - Feb 2 with 2315 views | bariotneblue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:39 - Feb 2 by LeoMuff |
We are second top scorers in the league, we have plenty of goals in this side. A striker would be very helpful, but it’s not like 23/24 when our main fit striker was Kayden Jackson.
We would be ok if we don’t land one. |
Absolutely this. The bed wetting in recent weeks has been ridiculous
I reckon McKenna and the rest of his staff know a bit more about football than any of us.🙄 | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:49 - Feb 2 with 2277 views | IP1Blue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:39 - Feb 2 by LeoMuff |
We are second top scorers in the league, we have plenty of goals in this side. A striker would be very helpful, but it’s not like 23/24 when our main fit striker was Kayden Jackson.
We would be ok if we don’t land one. |
Again, I think saying we are second top goal scorers is a bit of a lazy excuse. Watford (H) we didn’t win because we didn’t have a clinical striker, same for Preston on Saturday.
Do you think if Kierffer Moore had them chances, he would have missed them?
Winning them tight games will be the difference between going up or staying down here! We’ve missed the most chances in the championship, just because we’re second top scorers doesn’t mean we will be ok in them moments. | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:50 - Feb 2 with 2265 views | ReusersTown |
Complete and utter rubbish. | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:50 - Feb 2 with 2268 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:46 - Feb 2 by BloomBlue |
But we signed Akpom.
Look back on TWTD when the rumours about Akpom going to Brum first surfaced. Loads of comments about why isn't Ashton going for a striker like Akpom, his championship record is a no-brainer. A few even questioned our lack of ambition if Brum buy him and we don't. A few of those same posters now moaning he was always a one season wonder - hindsight hey. |
Quite. I suppose we could continually cycle through players every six months if one has a dip in form, but there’s got to be a point where you work with what you’ve got. |  |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:52 - Feb 2 with 2232 views | Herbivore |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:49 - Feb 2 by IP1Blue |
Again, I think saying we are second top goal scorers is a bit of a lazy excuse. Watford (H) we didn’t win because we didn’t have a clinical striker, same for Preston on Saturday.
Do you think if Kierffer Moore had them chances, he would have missed them?
Winning them tight games will be the difference between going up or staying down here! We’ve missed the most chances in the championship, just because we’re second top scorers doesn’t mean we will be ok in them moments. |
From memory, Nunez missed our best chance against Watford when he blazed over from 6 yards out with the goal at his mercy, so I'm not sure us having a different striker would have helped in that situation. Azon and Hirst are both guilty of missing good chances but they aren't the only ones who have come up short in that regard. Kipre on Saturday should have won the game for us. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:53 - Feb 2 with 2209 views | JakeITFC |
Maybe there just aren't many good strikers about - in previous times we might be in for a forward struggling for form at Prem level like Strand Larsen, instead now he goes for £50m because there is so few premium number 9s.
I honestly still feel in Hirst, Azon and Akpom we have the best strikeforce in the league. |  | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:56 - Feb 2 with 2159 views | NthQldITFC |
Oddly we are the division's second highest scorers.
So 'borderline unforgivable' is knickers-wetting, imho.
Having said that, we ought to be getting one in, but I'd rather see a very good prospect like another Azon or a bit better, than an old warhorse. |  |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:58 - Feb 2 with 2133 views | pointofblue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:53 - Feb 2 by JakeITFC |
Maybe there just aren't many good strikers about - in previous times we might be in for a forward struggling for form at Prem level like Strand Larsen, instead now he goes for £50m because there is so few premium number 9s.
I honestly still feel in Hirst, Azon and Akpom we have the best strikeforce in the league. |
On paper I can accept that argument. On the pitch it's different. And I cannot blame the club for that, but it's an issue which needs to be resolved. [Post edited 2 Feb 11:00]
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:59 - Feb 2 with 2119 views | Herbivore |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:53 - Feb 2 by JakeITFC |
Maybe there just aren't many good strikers about - in previous times we might be in for a forward struggling for form at Prem level like Strand Larsen, instead now he goes for £50m because there is so few premium number 9s.
I honestly still feel in Hirst, Azon and Akpom we have the best strikeforce in the league. |
On paper I'd agree that there isn't a stronger trio of attacking players elsewhere in the league but on the pitch they've all had issues. If a couple of them can find top form it'll be great, Azon looks the most likely to do so for me. But it's a gamble relying on them to do better over the last three months of the season than they've done over the opening six months. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:59 - Feb 2 with 2117 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:39 - Feb 2 by Herbivore |
Indeed. There is, as always, a lot of hindsight bias. People last season were saying we should start Hirst ahead of Delap in the second half of the season as he was a better fit and his goals to minutes ratio last season was very good. He also had a very strong preseason, and let's not forget he also led the line for us the last time we went up. Most were expecting him to be our main man with someone coming in to compete with him, which is why we signed Azon. We also brought in Akpom as versatile cover/competition. Sadly, Hirst has largely been gash for most of the season which I imagine nobody foresaw. Azon is a good player and is improving all the time but he's not a natural finisher. Akpom, well I'm not sure what Akpom is to be honest based on what we've seen so far. Those issues have made the need for a striker a pressing one. |
Yep.
I had questions about Hirst going in to the season but they were around his fitness as opposed to his ability to lead the line for us. Last time we were in the champ he was really a do it all striker. He linked play, he ran in behind, was a strong box presence. It just seems to have vanished. He still works his socks off and he still finds himself in good positions but its like his quality has been zapped. That performance at Bramall Lane was a tough tough watch.
I was desperate for that one that was cleared off the line at the weekend to go in. Would have been a high quality goal that he really needs. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:03 - Feb 2 with 2042 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:53 - Feb 2 by JakeITFC |
Maybe there just aren't many good strikers about - in previous times we might be in for a forward struggling for form at Prem level like Strand Larsen, instead now he goes for £50m because there is so few premium number 9s.
I honestly still feel in Hirst, Azon and Akpom we have the best strikeforce in the league. |
They are very hard to find.
Unless you are Brentford or Bournemouth that is who seem to pull them out of thin air.
The 2 that have impressed me most this season in the champ are Vipotnik and Kjerrumgaard. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:03 - Feb 2 with 2039 views | JakeITFC |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:58 - Feb 2 by pointofblue |
On paper I can accept that argument. On the pitch it's different. And I cannot blame the club for that, but it's an issue which needs to be resolved. [Post edited 2 Feb 11:00]
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Yup, and I think the brief for January for me would have been just get something a bit different to inject some life into it up there but I don't think (to use some example posts on the forum) just chucking £10m+ at another Championship lump upfront was the right approach.
We are scoring enough goals to go up as it is, but it would be great if any of the forwards, Akpom, Walle Egeli, Mehmeti, Szmodics etc. hit a patch of form that their potential or previous efforts could predict. | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:07 - Feb 2 with 1975 views | surreyblue |
Presumably if the club does something you consider to be "unforgivable" you will stop supporting the club, at least until the current management and ownership leave? | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:10 - Feb 2 with 1949 views | IP1Blue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:07 - Feb 2 by surreyblue |
Presumably if the club does something you consider to be "unforgivable" you will stop supporting the club, at least until the current management and ownership leave? |
What are you on about?
You can be critical of something but still support it. | | | |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:13 - Feb 2 with 1901 views | pointofblue |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:03 - Feb 2 by JakeITFC |
Yup, and I think the brief for January for me would have been just get something a bit different to inject some life into it up there but I don't think (to use some example posts on the forum) just chucking £10m+ at another Championship lump upfront was the right approach.
We are scoring enough goals to go up as it is, but it would be great if any of the forwards, Akpom, Walle Egeli, Mehmeti, Szmodics etc. hit a patch of form that their potential or previous efforts could predict. |
But, as Herbivore said, it's a massive gamble hoping players who have failed to find consistent form over the last five months will suddenly manage it for the final four. | |
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| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 11:14 - Feb 2 with 1894 views | Guthrum |
| Not getting a good striker in is unforgivable on 10:50 - Feb 2 by Swansea_Blue |
Quite. I suppose we could continually cycle through players every six months if one has a dip in form, but there’s got to be a point where you work with what you’ve got. |
It's a bit of a computer game approach, where you're recruiting and discarding constructs running on alogrithms, rather than actual human beings with all their foibles - having no real world consequences to expenditure or experiments gone wrong. |  |
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