01 Jul 2013 09:12:38
OK - tough question - we all love Baines - but if our left back is our best attacking threat, then doesn't that say there's something wrong?

If you had a choice of a 18m (?) for Baines which was spent straight away on a proven classy forward who would guarantee you 20 goals a season would you not take it?

We're struggling badly with just Vic and Jel up front - we definitely need a good striker

so for me - I would love us to keep Baines - but if he goes and we get a top striker instead, then I won't be completely gutted

best option is to keep baines and add the good forward as well - but if its an either/or then I'm not sure what I'd choose

look at it the other way around as well - if we already had the 18m forward who was banging them in (and did not have Baines) - who would argue on here that he (the striker) should be sold and a brilliant left back be bought instead?

The problem is - buying a striker that we're not sure will work - but for 18m you're going to get a proven guy.

1.) 01 Jul 2013
There are no guarantees based on price - Torres/Carroll for example. Personally, I'd rather keep Baines and rely on RM finding us a decent striker to get on the end of his crosses.

2.) 01 Jul 2013
And as a follow up to first post - we know the Baines Pienaar threat has been one of our best attacking options in previous seasons - but Pienaar was not that effective last season - the 'bainaar' threat was not what is used to be - baines still great - but Pienaar has to up his game again or be 'looked at' for me personally

3.) 01 Jul 2013
Strikers are only as good as their supply we could have RVP but if he did not get any decent balls to him than I doubt he would score shed loads. If you look at Baines creativity then you are probabbly looking at having to buy a decent LB and LM plus Striker I just don't think 18m would get you that. Any way I thought we have tried the "tried and tested striker" option in the past and we just seem to break them. Beattie Johnson the Yak and Jelly to name just a few.

SA90

4.) 01 Jul 2013
Keep our best players, end off! especially if they want to stay!agree we need a striker to boost the squad! but let's wait and see what the future holds with bainesy in bobby, s new style and see what it holds before wee give in and sell! if we do sell, then our board are a joke and we will always be a selling club with no ambition with them in charge! the time for ambition is here! new manager, new begining!

5.) 01 Jul 2013
Sometimes strikers are not as good as their supply - Jelavic was getting some decent ball last season and he was so woeful with his shooting he looked like a bad amateur

one particular shot he took, it almost hit the corner flag, and many shots were mis*** - even worse than a bad pub player - something's wrong there when timing is that far off

and Vic is a kind of one trick pony - strong lad who holds off well - but psychologically he doesn't believe in himself so he panics and tries too hard to score - never takes his time, relaxes and just picks his spot -

then he gets frustrated with himself again and does that spoilt kid routine of whacking the ground or pulling hacked off face

if only we could just get a decent forward like a defoe or michu etc - not 'top drawer' as we can't afford that, but someone from next drawer down

how long has it been since we had a good striker who stayed around a few years?

6.) 01 Jul 2013
Great play oviedo left back and lose all our attacking football down the left, i'm all for a really good striker but u lose somrthing more by selling are best player