Is it worth playing Manu over Baldock in the next couple of months? Given the club has spectacularly failed to sign another striker, and Baldock has proved his ineptitude at putting the ball in the net at this level, surely it's better to try Elvis? He may get caught offside 5/6 times a game but perhaps might improve with game time?
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Manu over Baldock?
- Thread starter sdmartin1
- Start date
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 8,867
i would rather play Murphy...
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,265
Deckchairs. Titanic.
GoldWithFalmer
Seaweed! Seaweed!
Skalak,he can finish..
Finchley Seagull
Well-known member
Once everyone is available, I think it will be March on the right, Skalak or Murphy on the left and Knockaert in the number 10 role behind Murray. Knockaert already has 3 goals this season and is possibly our best finisher (along with Murray). Makes sense to me.
GoldWithFalmer
Seaweed! Seaweed!
DarrenFreemansPerm
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is something I was saying a couple of weeks ago, Knocky is perfect for it, but we need March, Murphy, Skalak AND Kaz as our wide options.
midnight_rendezvous
Well-known member
I'd keep Knockaert out wide personally. That's where he is most dangerous. Skalak can play at no.10 (well at least that was the shout when he joined us) might be worth giving him a go behind the main striker. Only problem is he not particularly quick but has good passing and vision.
All day long.
Manu is no better than Baldock. In fact, he's not actually as good.
Finchley Seagull
Well-known member
Agreed. The four you mention are decent as wide options. Knockaert is the best finisher so logically should be the number 10 as they will get the most chances.
If we go for March and Skalak on the wings, I might go with Skalak on the right too having thought about it. If Skalak can cross on his natural right foot, I think that will help him, and March played well on the left last season.
scooter1
How soon is now?
March is on the way back from a serious knee injury, and I'd be surprised if he's anywhere near the first team before November. Equally IMHO we have better than him in Murphy, AK and Skalak. March started ok last season, but to get back to full fitness and form will take a good few months(if indeed he can). I think there are too many on here who are placing too much reliance on March at this point in his recovery.
With regard to Manu getting a 5 game run to get bedded in....... No chance, it won't happen. There is too much at stake, and whilst Baldock doesn't score enough, the team work that he puts in keeps him leagues ahead of Manu, who just isn't that kind of player
All just my opinions..
With regard to Manu getting a 5 game run to get bedded in....... No chance, it won't happen. There is too much at stake, and whilst Baldock doesn't score enough, the team work that he puts in keeps him leagues ahead of Manu, who just isn't that kind of player
All just my opinions..
MF'84
A load of Bolanos
Baldock is a MUCH better player than Manu will ever be; Baldock has a footballing brain, Manu does not.
I honestly can't think of any occasion (when both fit and available) that I'd choose Elvis over Sam.
I honestly can't think of any occasion (when both fit and available) that I'd choose Elvis over Sam.
Billy the Fish
Technocrat
Mental.
royceyboy
On the 'ead son!
I agree that we have to stick with Baldock until we have cover for Knockart, as I think he would be the perfect No10. Manu is adequate cover for Baldock till that happens.
lizard
Well-hung member
- Jul 14, 2005
- 3,383
All opinions I guess. I have the complete opposite view. If Manu was given a run in the starting 11 I reckon he'd turn out to be immense. Unfortunately everyone seems to have an irrational hatred towards him.
Baldock has had so many chances and has done very little to suggest anything other than he is a League 1 striker. I see him as a poor mans CMS, and feel it's a shame we continually waste a shirt on him.
MF'84
A load of Bolanos
I'm not saying that Manu can't be effective; with the pace he's got he certainly could be and I don't doubt that he could chip in with the odd break-away goal here and there but it's not just about pace. It's about movement, vision and awareness of what's going on around you and so far Manu hasn't shown any of those characteristics in my view. Baldock lacks goals and for a striker that's a problem, but he does have the other attributes mentioned above which is why he'd get my pick over the pace of Manu everytime.
And to call Baldock "a poor mans CMS" is incredibly harsh!
jamie the seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 27, 2011
- 2,803
Cannot remember the last time I saw Baldock in the box.
Went to Newcastle and the only shot he had was the kick off.
Our wingers are better than Baldock and Manu.
More importantly teams will copy the Toons and mark AK out of the game if he is wide.
Let him play in the gap behind the striker.
Went to Newcastle and the only shot he had was the kick off.
Our wingers are better than Baldock and Manu.
More importantly teams will copy the Toons and mark AK out of the game if he is wide.
Let him play in the gap behind the striker.