03 Jul 2018 02:48:48
We really must, as top priority, get a decent striker on the books before new season.
I kept banging on about it last year but everybody was so optimistic that they just didn't care we'd sold Rom. Sound familiar to a couple of you "we're signing Sig, he'll score double figures and the goals will be spread much better throughout the team".
Tosun was starting to look pretty decent towards the end of the season so we're better off than last year, but we can't expect him to do it on his own all season, tiredness, injuries etc.
Calvert Lewin is not there yet to take on the mantle as a forward we rely on (but he offers great optimism for the future) , and please don't suggest Niasse as an option.
I genuinely fear for another tough season if we don't get a consistent goal scorer in before addressing any of our other areas.
On the plus side, what an impact (and injury free run) Walcott had. Now he is a player who will get 10-15 goals next year if utilised well. If a forward is not bought then perhaps he should be given the opportunity he always said he wanted at Arsenal, as the main man in the centre. Great pace, confidence and an eye for goal. We all saw how well Salah did for the dark side, a player I would say is pretty similar to Theo, albeit with more pace and better creativity coming from the midfield to set him up.
03 Jul 2018 06:44:31
I can't remember anyone saying we don't need a striker we have Sigurdsson. Sorry Worcester I think you've made that bit up.
I don't think we will struggle this coming season at all. We have a plan coming from a good attack thinking coach. We need to sort out the defence for sure. That's why Everton hired Brands and got rid of Walsh.
03 Jul 2018 07:41:19
Walcott would fill in if Tosun was injured or suspended plus DCL is a year older.
I personally would like another but it's not the priority compared to last summer as we bought the two in January.
We will only play with one up front so not sure why anyone would come to warm the bench if he were any good.
03 Jul 2018 08:34:39
I find it astounding, much as I did last year. DCL is not a year older (from his last games) , season is a month or so finished and he was far from front man ready in May. It's not disrespect at all, I like him but he's still learning.
We may only play one upfront but that is no reason to not sign another, a spare striker is essential. It's not a case of coming to be a bench warmer, it's competition to be the number one. (Or 11) .
As for "We have a plan coming from a good attack thinking coach" that is nonsense. We can have all the plans we want but can't implement them without the players. I'm sure Koeman had plans to attack in matches as well but that didn't work out very well.
Defence needs improvement yes, but I personally think it's in much better state than attack. Coleman, baines, Galloway, jags, Keane, not ideal but solid enough to do a job. Whereas attack, if Tosun is out then who will score? It reeks of the same problem from last year, only this time Rooney is not around to add 11 goals to our grand old tally of 50 ish. That's a worrying situation no matter how you look at it.
03 Jul 2018 18:30:18
DCL is indeed a year older in experience from last year and I didn't say he would be a 1st team starter. He will continue to learn this year also.
I also said we would play one striker probably and I would like another preferably. However, Walcott can fill in that role.
I'm not sure if there are many top class Strikers that want to come and play second fiddle and sit on the bench. Do you?
I find it astounding you fail to realise we have two further strikers from the start of last year. We had Sandro and DCL plus a Rooney that was on his last legs.
Now we have DCL, Sandro, Tosun and Walcott. Again though, in case you missed it in my post, I WOULD like another. Astonishing!
03 Jul 2018 22:51:14
You're still completely missing my point.
DCL is not ready.
Sandro will probably never play for us again.
Walcott is not a striker. Could he play there if Tosun is injured, yes. But what about mid way through a match when he's already run ragged from the wing? If Walcott plays as front man to cover Tosun then where would we get any width and supply? As Lookman will possibly move out again, Bolasie will likely be gone, Mirrallas probably won't be here. Another striker is a matter of urgency!
03 Jul 2018 22:51:14
You're still completely missing my point.
DCL is not ready.
Sandro will probably never play for us again.
Walcott is not a striker. Could he play there if Tosun is injured, yes. But what about mid way through a match when he's already run ragged from the wing? If Walcott plays as front man to cover Tosun then where would we get any width and supply? As Lookman will possibly move out again, Bolasie will likely be gone, Mirrallas probably won't be here. Another striker is a matter of urgency!
04 Jul 2018 07:53:32
I'm not missing your point but you're saying that our most important part of squad building is a second/ third choice striker.
I think there are more pressing areas as we have people who can cover FOR NOW. Not that they even need to.
I AGREE that I WOULD like another striker BUT other areas like LB, CB and a No8 are more urgent areas.