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Poyet needs a striker
GUS Poyet fears he is running out of time to land a striker to turn Albion into Championship promotion contenders.
The Seagulls have gone three games without a goal this season following last night’s 0-0 draw against Cardiff at The Amex.
The transfer window shuts at 11pm a week on Friday and Poyet is no closer to ending his long search for a target man.
He said: “I need a striker. I’ve been asking for the person that is going to put the ball in the net when you have got the chance, for the presence in the box.
“We are not close enough to getting one. We are going to try to make sure we keep performing but the quality, the expensive part, the one that is going to make a difference, is missing and it’s taking too long.
“It’s frustrating. I feel for the players as well, the effort they are putting in, the commitment, the way they are playing and then we are missing that part.
“Macca (Craig Mackail-Smith) is the best he has been for three or four months. We are seeing the best of Nooney (Craig Noone) and we are still not scoring. We need to be positive but at the same time careful, because if it takes too long maybe it’s too late.”
Poyet dismissed reports that Albion have agreed a fee with West Ham for veteran French centre forward Frederic Piquionne.
“We cannot compete,” he said. “I keep seeing clubs buying strikers and bringing players from the Premiership and paying fortunes. We are at another level, that is clear. We will try to do our best but quality is expensive.”
Poyet has ruled out a top six finish unless Albion are successful in their quest to sign a striker, either permanently or on loan.
“We’ve been trying,” he added. “The loans we want to bring are Premiership loans. They are too expensive. I’ve got a maxuimum in there that is difficult. I have been in touch with many clubs but I accept the situation and the budget we’ve got. I’m not crying about it, I’m saying the truth.”