9 Games Left - Loan Striker?

[el punal]

We don't need a loan striker. We have a top quality squad, with just a few injuries -- March, Hunemeier for just a week or so, and now maybe Sidwell. We've got JFC and Ince out on loan. The bench that CH now puts out now looks as strong or nearly as strong as the first 11 he's picking. We're leaving internationals out of the 18, and we've got four strikers with a range of qualities (and Skalak who can also fit in there).
But the most important reason why we don't need a loan striker is that we've got a quite fantastic team/squad morale and ethos, and we don't want to do anything to jeopardise that.

Well said!

 

[B.W.]

Why do we NEED this, we have managed quite well so far!

'Need' is a strong word, but you are a dullard if you can't see the relative lack of success of our strikers, and what could have been if only we had a top striker...

 

[darkwolf666]

Yes, our dip in form was caused by an injury crisis. Agreed. However, I suggest you think about last night as an example of what clinical finishing can do. Sam B should have scored... others in our team too. Reading should have equalized via John late on. We ran the risk of drawing a game we would have easily won with an Andre G or similar. The margins are wafer thin, and we are not maximizing our chances of the Prem if we stick with our average strike force. IMHO of course. In conclusion, I am not talking 'rubbish', just pointing out the ****ing obvious to most.

There's that word again - you can't say we WOULD have done anything! We might have had a better chance with a 20 goal striker, but then what happens when your main man goes off the boil and you don't have players backing up with goals?

 

[B.W.]

Ultimately to increase our odds as much as possible to get a top 2 spot.

TB has two options.

1: We have managed quite well so far, we don't need any top scorers as the team may get some good results and work really hard for a top 2 finish. Let's leave it to chance.

2: We have managed quite well so far, we haven't needed any top scorers as we are 2nd/3rd in the league. The team may get some good results and work really hard for a top 2 finish, but let's bring in someone who we know is likely to score more goals than Wilson/Zamora/Baldock.
More goals = higher chance of a win.
We're still leaving it to chance, but we've brought someone in who we are sure will score more goals, so our chances have improved.

This makes sense...

 

[B.W.]

But we have only been outscored by three teams in this division and two of those are far below us and the other is at the top having played a game more. We have scored enough goals, the league table does not lie.

There are teams out there who appear to have the big scoring strikers but Burnley aside it hasn't done them any favours. We have a team and between them our four strikers have all scored point gaining goals and have been backed up by the midfield when they have not been scoring. I'm glad we are not reliant on this one myhtical 20 goal a season striker. I'm glad we have a decent defence, good GK and players who can score from a vriety of positions on the pitch. It is that, that has been our strength this season and why we are currently second.

Whilst I would be more than happy to welcome Murray back for the rest of the season I will not be distraught if CH or the club decide to stick with what we have got.

Well, that is a more reasonable post. I may want Murray signed more than you, but what you are saying mas merit IMHO...

 

[darkwolf666]

'Need' is a strong word, but you are a dullard if you can't see the relative lack of success of our strikers, and what could have been if only we had a top striker...

Sticks and stones - shame about the name calling.

I still don't understand why you don't appreciate that football is a team game and unlike Netball anyone can score.

 

[B.W.]

It's not even that much wedge. Just 10 weeks wages and considering we were thinking about buying a striker for £6m it would be small change.

Agreed. And match that 'small' wedge against the potential upside of the Prem payout = a 'no brainer' IMHO...

 

[B.W.]

Why does it matter to people that we have a striker who scores prolifically? A goal is a goal, I don't give a toss who scores it. If stockdale scores every goal in nine 1-0 wins, we'll go up.

There's an obsession we seem to have with seeing a strikers name in lights as 'the' top scorer. Look at Blackburn with Rhodes or Fulham with McCormack. If that player leaves or gets injured, they're screwed, because they're one dimensional.

Personally I'd always rather have four players score 5 each than one player score 20. It makes us harder to defend against.

The undeniable FACT is we're already one of the top 4 goalscoring sides in the league. And we have a defence which now hasn't been breached in 5 straight games. We don't need anybody else in, in any position, because on current examination we're the 2nd best team in the league, and already well in the mix for the autos.

In the mix, yes. Maximizing our chances of promotion by sticking with what we have, no.

 

[B.W.]

I think we're fine with the strikers we've got.

During the early season run we were scoring reasonably well from a range of players. When we hit the skids, and stopped scoring, the issue was the loss of key midfielders and backline. IMO we weren't scoring because the quality supply dried up, not because the strikers weren't good enough. Fast forward to bringing in some quality signings (Knocky, Skalak, etc) and players returning from injury ... we see the strikers suddenly start scoring again and we pick up momentum on the ladder.

Strike force is fine, as long as they're getting the quality supply.

Strike force is fine, yes. Strike force is top Championship, no.

 

[B.W.]

I'd say the opposite. I'd venture to suggest that he's not a teamplayer, is often lazy and would in fact upset the team.

Did he not send you a Birthday card? IIRC he IS a bit sulky, but certainly IS a team player, e.g. coming back to defend, winning free kicks, hold-up play, etc.

 

[B.W.]

With a strikeforce that 'isn't good enough' an defence that's managed one league goal this season, it's fairly amazing that we're fourth-highest scorers innit.
Rethink required?

Yes, by you...

 

[B.W.]

Beg your pardon B.W.
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency
I will try my hardest to avoid any further flawed arguments, genuine disbelief and complacency

I think your cut and paste button's stuck.

 

[B.W.]

Jesus, did you watch him play for us before ?......

This... with bells on...

 

[Phat Baz 68]

We are after Murray now along with Sheffield Wednesday

 

[B.W.]

Welcome back BW your incisive posting has been missed

Really, I thought NSC was so much more enjoyable when everyone agreed with everyone else...

 

[TSB]

Jesus, did you watch him play for us before ?......

Yes. Hence the opinion. Remember his first year? "Oh I'm homesick". Wandering around the pitch like he didn't want to be there. Then he improved greatly when his contract was running out.

We are after Murray now along with Sheffield Wednesday

No. We're not.

 

[GT49er]

Moronic. Nobody said that...

He never said they did.

 

[LamieRobertson]

We are after Murray now along with Sheffield Wednesday

According to which rag?

 

[StonehamPark]

Agreed. And match that 'small' wedge against the potential upside of the Prem payout = a 'no brainer' IMHO...

In the mix, yes. Maximizing our chances of promotion by sticking with what we have, no.

Strike force is fine, yes. Strike force is top Championship, no.

I just think there's a few on here that are perfectly happy with what we have and don't want anyone coming in to ruffle feathers. Fair enough.
Those few might not be thinking of the ultimate goal here, which is to achieve promotion at all costs.

We MAY achieve promotion with what we have, and if we do, what an amazing result that no bookies saw coming, even at this stage in the season.
However, we are more likely to achieve promotion if we bring in someone who is likely to score more goals than we are currently likely to score (imo).

---

More goals = more wins.
More wins = higher % chance of promotion.
Promotion = more £££ for TB (and a huge achievement for the club)

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Less goals = less wins/more draws
less wins/more draws = lower % chance of promotion
No promotion = More £ millions of debt.

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WWTBD

 

[B.W.]

There's that word again - you can't say we WOULD have done anything! We might have had a better chance with a 20 goal striker, but then what happens when your main man goes off the boil and you don't have players backing up with goals?

I stand corrected. I agree 'would' is wrong. It is always about probably improving your chances of scoring (/not conceding), there is no definite guarantee that Andre G would score, but let's just say he is far more likely to put away a chance than Sam B. Or do you disagree?