[Albion] Ali J as a striker?

[Seagull27]

I'd love to see him on the right of a front three, with Trossard on the left - perfect position for him as well. Maupay in the middle, and Connolly could fit into all three positions.

But that means you have to play 433 (too attacking) or 523 - could work, but very light in midfield.

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[Hugo Rune]

What position did he play in Holland the season he was the leagues top scorer?

Not right wing.

Right Inside Forward in a front three.

The same position Salah plays for Liverpool.

 

[m@goo]

He can obviously score goals even if he can't set them up...

 

[Swansman]

Are we talking as a central striker a la Maupay or Murray or on the right of a front three?

If it's the former then no, no I wouldn't particularly want to see him there. If it's the latter, sure, give him a go. It's where he played in Holland, no?

Playing right winger is a different beast though.

In Holland they plan man-man in defense, in England its zonal marking. As a winger this means you often get to rest while the opposition attacks unless they have really attacking wing-backs, and even then its common the wingers wont track back... which is one of the reasons the Dutch league is the most high scoring league in the world. If you do that in England you are going to be punished even harder.

Playing him as a lone striker or in a two man attack, even if he would drift to the right side, would relieve him of most defensive duties, because you have that extra midfielder to cover up the spaces wide. In a three man attack one or preferably both of the wingers needs to help out more.

 

[zefarelly]

He whippied in some wicked crosses last season . . . . no one on the end of them . . . .

 

[WilburySeagull]

I'd love to see him on the right of a front three, with Trossard on the left - perfect position for him as well. Maupay in the middle, and Connolly could fit into all three positions.

But that means you have to play 433 (too attacking) or 523 - could work, but very light in midfield.

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Potter is outstading at changing formations depending on the opposition. A 433 with AJ on right could work , just not against the likes of liverpool or city. I do think if AJ is staying he needs a run in the team. Otherwise best for him and us that he goes.

 

[Swansman]

Not right wing.

Right Inside Forward in a front three.

The same position Salah plays for Liverpool.

Its called right wing everywhere except on NSC even if the players mainly cut inside..

 

[Hugo Rune]

Front three


Trossard - Maupay - AJ

Its a winner

I’d like to see that front three let loose on some of the weaker teams such as Fulham, West Brom and Leeds.

Could look like this:

———————Ryan———————
—White———-Dunk——Webster—
Lamptey—-Alzate—Bissouma—March
-Jahanbakhsh—Maupay—Trossard—

 

[John Byrnes Mullet]

Has not go the pace to beat another player.
Fair enough it was a great over head kick. But he is a Championship/1st Division player at best. Whoever the scout was who recommended AJ he needs his eyes testing.

 

[chaileyjem]

With the exciting news that it looks like Ali J will be staying and COULD be used as a striker (sorry going a bit Crodo here) do you think it’s worth a try?

Yes I know I have split the no vote

PS: Potter didn't say either of these things. He just said that his job is get more goals out of AJ and other forward players this season and that a new centre forward isn't a panacea.
(well what do you expect him to say)

 

[the]

He can play alongside Maupay or Conolly in potter's 5-3-2. Definitely has a finishing instinct, and can play some decent passes in. Unfortunately, nothing Potter has done so far indicates that he would go that direction. I think Potter would rather call up a u-23 player as backup for Tossard before he gives Alireza a chance.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Playing right winger is a different beast though.

In Holland they plan man-man in defense, in England its zonal marking. As a winger this means you often get to rest while the opposition attacks unless they have really attacking wing-backs, and even then its common the wingers wont track back... which is one of the reasons the Dutch league is the most high scoring league in the world. If you do that in England you are going to be punished even harder.

Playing him as a lone striker or in a two man attack, even if he would drift to the right side, would relieve him of most defensive duties, because you have that extra midfielder to cover up the spaces wide. In a three man attack one or preferably both of the wingers needs to help out more.

I think you might have just nailed why Ali J has played so little.

It explains why he's struggled on our wing(especially under Hughton) and why he gets little game time.

I am confident he cannot play up front by himself. Maupay and Connolly struggle to do it, both look much better in a pair, Murray could play it but even with him it was a long frustrating afternoon. No chance Ali J. So that leaves us with him playing as part of a two.

 

[Icy Gull]

PS: Potter didn't say either of these things. He just said that his job is get more goals out of AJ and other forward players this season and that a new centre forward isn't a panacea.
(well what do you expect him to say)

It’s complicated, difficult, tried our best and I’m happy to work with what I have is what I imagine he’ll say if we fail to land a striker. I also expect you to fully concur, don’t disappoint me

 

[Milano]

To quote George Best when asked about Beckham “he’s got no pace, can’t head a ball, can’t tackle, can’t beat a man and has no left foot; apart from that yeah he’s world class”
If the club are trying to sell to us fans AJ as a striker I think we’re in for a long season. I’d also argue they’re letting Potter down. You can’t make ‘top 10’ statements then have the lightest striking options of any team in this league.
Anyway I think it’s all bollocks and at least one striker will arrive.

 

[chaileyjem]

It’s complicated, difficult, tried our best and I’m happy to work with what I have is what I imagine he’ll say if we fail to land a striker. I also expect you to fully concur, don’t disappoint me

Its only on NSC that anyone even suggests that the club are likely to or want ( i mean - come on) to go into the season without making those 2 further signings - and potentially more - of a wing back/defender and striker. Bloom clearly has earmarked the funds and reading between the lines they've already signalled their intent (Brewster,, Nunez, Maitland Niles) . Yes. It happened in 2017 - but even then that was a pretty unlikely set of circumstances (failed medicals, transfer chains breaking down) .
Can you really imagine Graham Potter is sitting there going - don't bother getting me a striker fellas and Ashworth/Winstanley downing tools and booking holidays (imaginary ones obviously). Its nonsense. Won't happen. Of course NSC can't wait - no stomach for the fight !

 

[Napper]

striker for the U23 maybe

not prem level unfortunately

 

[vagabond]

To quote George Best when asked about Beckham “he’s got no pace, can’t head a ball, can’t tackle, can’t beat a man and has no left foot; apart from that yeah he’s world class”
If the club are trying to sell to us fans AJ as a striker I think we’re in for a long season. I’d also argue they’re letting Potter down. You can’t make ‘top 10’ statements then have the lightest striking options of any team in this league.
Anyway I think it’s all bollocks and at least one striker will arrive.

This seems to be commonly misconstrued, but the top 10 statement is a long term ambition of the club. No one is seriously expecting it to happen tomorrow.

 

[Jesus Gul]

Ali J is 16/1 top Brighton goalscorer on skybet
behind
Maupay 1/3
Trossard 5/1
Lallana 7/1
Connolly 8/1 (value)

 

[Icy Gull]

Its only on NSC that anyone even suggests that the club are likely to or want ( i mean - come on) to go into the season without making those 2 further signings - and potentially more - of a wing back/defender and striker. Bloom clearly has earmarked the funds and reading between the lines they've already signalled their intent (Brewster,, Nunez, Maitland Niles) . Yes. It happened in 2017 - but even then that was a pretty unlikely set of circumstances (failed medicals, transfer chains breaking down) .
Can you really imagine Graham Potter is sitting there going - don't bother getting me a striker fellas and Ashworth/Winstanley downing tools and booking holidays (imaginary ones obviously). Its nonsense. Won't happen. Of course NSC can't wait - no stomach for the fight !

Very very small pool of proven PL quality strikers left, if any. I imagine that we will be gambling on what’s left from the Championship or a foreign signing. Yes I’m suggesting that we are now looking at a rather hopeful gamble rather than what we intended to get in.. Not complaining, just accepting that we haven’t managed to get what we really need. I understand why but still doesn’t stop it being a disappointment.

Brewster is the only one left who MAY be up to being dropped straight in imo.

Let me be wrong.

No stomach for the fight? Not many dogs left worth backing in fairness.

Either way I am looking forward to the season but expecting another relegation struggle rather than mid table mediocrity that I was hoping for and looked possible with our early signings. No quality strikers incoming spells a struggle.

 

[Shooting Star]

Yep, why not give it a go as part of a two with Maupay? What's the worst that can happen?