Number 21 in the top scorers list. We are one of 20 teams in the PL.................that is why we are where we are.
It's the rest of the squad that need to contribute more goals then
Number 21 in the top scorers list. We are one of 20 teams in the PL.................that is why we are where we are.
It's the rest of the squad that need to contribute more goals then
Are we hoping this becomes the next Ashley Barnes thread I do, but with us, not some other team taking advantage of his undoubted potential.
I think people are being too harsh on him. We're not scoring and he's getting the blame at our striker. It's not totally misplaced blame of course, but let's not go overboard. This should be a situation where we give him support rather than make him the scapegoat, unfortunately we're not able to do it in the stadium.
Let me at least offer the case for the defence of Maupay.
1. He's out of form and lacking confidence. That's clear. But these things are temporary. I believe his talent is still there. All strikers do through speaks like this in their career, even the very best. He's working hard and not hiding away. A goal or two can change things around quickly.
2. Second season syndrome in the Premier league is a thing, whether teams or players. He's learning all the time. He can get through this and come out the other side a better player.
3. I think he's missing the fans more than most. He's a passionate lad, he loves celebrating his goals with the team. I watched last night without the fake crowd noise. It's just so weird. I refuse to believe we wouldn't have won with fans there too suck the ball in. He is someone that I believe really responds to a loud crowd.
4. He's still young, I don't think that gets recognised enough. His goal stats are easily comparable to the likes of Ings and Calvert-Lewin at the same age.
5. Games like Villa and Palace, with their defence pecking their box, make it so difficult for him as a small, lone striker. Pace is part of his game, running off a defender's shoulder is part of his game. But back to the goal with Cahill or Mings tight to him is really tough. He's not going to be able to win aerial crosses and low crosses are getting cut out by packed defences. He would benefit from a second striker next to him in games like this. There were brief signs of life when Welbeck was on, but Welbeck also needs a run of games to get both up to speed and develop partnerships.
Let's back the kid. Potter will be working on how we can break down these packed defences, and working with Neal to do this, we can be sure of that.
Maupay is still the man most likely to bag the 4 or 5 goals we need from a striker to keep us up.
As I said on the match thread. Imagine Maupay with the chance Mateta scored. He'd have taken one touch to control it, one to try and turn, and a third to shoot, which would have either been blocked, or he'd have had the ball nicked off him.
We simply need to upgrade if we're going to go the next step. I miss Murray's finishing so much right now
Sadly he seems to take the wrong option once in a position to score pretty well every time at the moment. That shot (back pass) when there were players in the box last night was a prime example. He is totally devoid of confidence and good instincts in front of goal but I cannot fault his effort and contribution in most build ups, it’s just that final pass or shot that is not happening for him. I have no idea what the solution is, he is basically good enough.
Was it the wrong option though? From memory no one was in the correct position for the pull back, Wellbeck was, and then ran past it.
I don't think he's making the best decision a lot of the time, but no-one else seems to be
The shot had less power than a back pass though. I have no problem with a striker having a pop but if you’re going to do it make it a proper shot. I think he was in two minds and that probably an effect. He has been best when he doesn’t have time to think imo
I have defended him long enough.
He is useless,cannot score,cannot create.
Get rid
Did any cross, or free kick or corner actually land directly onto his head - NO, as none of them were any good. Even that Gross free kick on the edge of the box late on, flew over about 4 players heads.
Complete opposite to the Stirling headed goal last weekend, the cross was perfect for him.
all our balls are played too fast or wide of the mark. The one chance he had first half was drilled in from Veltman at 100mph and could not control that.
Yes he overhit a pass to Welbeck and put it behind him, but he did not have the 2 simple chances that Lallana had and hit both over the bar.
It would be negligent not to sign a striker this summer
I do understand football. You judge forwards on goals, I judge them on what they contribute in a 11 vs 11 game of football. With your very simplistic way of seeing it, Firmino wouldnt get a game in Liverpool last season (when they won the league), Bergkamp wouldnt get a game in Arsenal for his last few years or to take a more similar example, Kevin Davies wouldnt have played pretty much every game for a successful Bolton side back in the early 00s. Forwards are able to contribute plenty of good things to good teams despite not scoring lots of goals. Thats the proven reality.
You are right that some strikers can be effective even if their goal scoring is low. Back in the 80s we had Kevin Bremner - few goals, but a real handful. The difference is he had Gary Nelson along side him - full of goals.
Likewise, Firmino may have been moved on if salah and others weren’t banging them in around him.
Maupay is (supposed to be ) our single biggest goal threat.
Perhaps that’s unfair on someone who didn’t cost that much, but it’s not enough for him to have a well-balanced all round game if no-one else is scoring.
Here’s a picture of Bremner wearing only pants. And Nelson.View attachment 134168
You really do not understand football. He is a forward, he is judged on goals. Goals decide games.