[Albion] Abdallah Sima

[b.w.2.]

Agreed. Welbeck was a shit signing.

No, we got lucky. And, even then, he is too injured


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[Audax]

In one game I agree. Last season is the evidence we need a striker as the top priority. That is a whole season BTW!

That's too simplistic a view.

Yes - it's correct that we suffered due to a lack of finishing prowess in the striker department.

However...

We also clearly suffered from a lack of goals from midfield and set plays.

And...

When looking deeper into the stats from last season, it would appear the big problem was a) build up play too slow, allowing defenders to get back and organised and b) shooters making poor decisions attempting shots through a packed defense.

Small sample size, admittedly, but when you look at our 4 goals from this season you've got 3 where the defense didn't have time to get set, allowing the shooter to pick their shot past the keeper, and 1 from a set piece corner. We keep doing those things right and we could see a very different set of numbers this season without signing a new striker - although I also do believe reinforcement in that area is required (if for no other reason than to provide Maupay with season-long competition for his starting place - something that neither Welbeck [injuries] nor Connolly are currently capable of).

 

[b.w.2.]

Who is currently available on a free ?

Exactly


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[A1X]

+ Raphinha - 6 goals, 9 assists from midfield last season.

Agreed although with a better forward I would hope someone like Gross could match those figures, at least as a total with maybe more assists and fewer goals

 

[southstandandy]

Maybe GP has a cunning plan and we'll do the old Virgo trick and play Burn upfront?

 

[b.w.2.]

That's too simplistic a view.

Yes - it's correct that we suffered due to a lack of finishing prowess in the striker department.

However...

We also clearly suffered from a lack of goals from midfield and set plays.

And...

When looking deeper into the stats from last season, it would appear the big problem was a) build up play too slow, allowing defenders to get back and organised and b) shooters making poor decisions attempting shots through a packed defense.

Small sample size, admittedly, but when you look at our 4 goals from this season you've got 3 where the defense didn't have time to get set, allowing the shooter to pick their shot past the keeper, and 1 from a set piece corner. We keep doing those things right and we could see a very different set of numbers this season without signing a new striker - although I also do believe reinforcement in that area is required (if for no other reason than to provide Maupay with season-long competition for his starting place - something that neither Welbeck [injuries] nor Connolly are currently capable of).

Well obvs getting more goals from midfield is good. All goals count as 1 goal, but… I stand by it is NOT too simplistic to say we need another striker. The stats back it up. The pundits back it up. Even our club’s recruitment targets back it up. Your last paragraph suggests you and I agree anyway.


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[Audax]

Well obvs getting more goals from midfield is good. All goals count as 1 goal, but… I stand by it is NOT too simplistic to say we need another striker. The stats back it up. The pundits back it up. Even our club’s recruitment targets back it up. Your last paragraph suggests you and I agree anyway.

Another striker would be valuable. But would not be the silver bullet your posts make it sound like you think it would be. Even if you look at last season, we scored enough goals from our strikers (even with the low output) that had the midfield contributed more we would have leapt up the table. It wasn't just Maupay and Connolly not firing - Trossard spurned good chances (how many times did he hit the post?), as did others. Biss (as much as we all love him) caused plenty of attacks to fizzle out by shooting from distance and not even getting close to troubling the keeper.

 

[Justice]

Signing one striker doesn’t guarantee success, but it will give us a much better chance of achieving it. As it stands, we’re definitely weaker up front than we were last season. Arguably Maupay could continue to find form, Welbeck could stay injury-free and Connolly could become half the player he thinks he is, but that’s a big risk!

Maupay’s form hasn’t dropped IMO he is and probably always will be a give me a goal striker only ever scores the nailed on chances and sometimes misses those to.

A different option would be an obvious advantage someone who can collect the ball and run at pace we couldn’t lay a glove on Everton and could of huffed and puffed all night and not scored.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Another striker would be valuable. But would not be the silver bullet your posts make it sound like you think it would be. Even if you look at last season, we scored enough goals from our strikers (even with the low output) that had the midfield contributed more we would have leapt up the table. It wasn't just Maupay and Connolly not firing - Trossard spurned good chances (how many times did he hit the post?), as did others. Biss (as much as we all love him) caused plenty of attacks to fizzle out by shooting from distance and not even getting close to troubling the keeper.

Maybe not a silver bullet, but it's obviously the biggest deficiency in our squad. And has been for some years.

 

[b.w.2.]

Another striker would be valuable. But would not be the silver bullet your posts make it sound like you think it would be. Even if you look at last season, we scored enough goals from our strikers (even with the low output) that had the midfield contributed more we would have leapt up the table. It wasn't just Maupay and Connolly not firing - Trossard spurned good chances (how many times did he hit the post?), as did others. Biss (as much as we all love him) caused plenty of attacks to fizzle out by shooting from distance and not even getting close to troubling the keeper.

Who mentioned a silver bullet!? I said it was our top priority signing. I stick by that.


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[b.w.2.]

Maybe not a silver bullet, but it's obviously the biggest deficiency in our squad. And has been for some years.

Snap!


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[Comrade Sam]

I see the under 23s almost like incubating chicks. Every so often one is ready for the first team. What time will a striker hatch?

 

[Bob!]

Naylor has Stoke as his likely loan destination

 

[jackalbion]

I see the under 23s almost like incubating chicks. Every so often one is ready for the first team. What time will a striker hatch?

What about Aaron Connolly

 

[HantsSeagull]

Naylor has Stoke as his likely loan destination

well well well

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Naylor has Stoke as his likely loan destination

Crikey.

Meanwhile we are left with just Welbeck, Maupay, Connolly and Locadia

 

[Audax]

Who mentioned a silver bullet!? I said it was our top priority signing. I stick by that.

Where we differ:

I would *like* a striker addition, to provide competition for places. Do I think it would be a complete disaster for us if we don't get one? No. Not if Potter can get the team to transition the ball into the final third quicker and we start generating shots on goal where the defense isn't set. Do that, and the strikers we have plus additional goals from midfield will see us through.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Who is currently available on a free ?

I am, but haven’t decided on a logo.

I’m 30 mins from Lancing and have a day off, too late?

 

[227 BHA]

Naylor has Stoke as his likely loan destination

So, he comes over and sees the Amex and the training ground, the surrounding Sussex countryside and maybe Brighton seafront.
Next thing, sorry lad we’re sending you to Stoke - good luck!
That’s gonna be harsh

 

[Weststander]

What about Aaron Connolly

He shags who he wants.