No panic signing of a striker

[B.W.]

All fair comment. What I find curious, however, is that we seem to have little or no difficulty signing non-strikers, such as Duffy, sometimes for large money. I hope we invest the £8M we were going to spend on Pritchard to buy one or more strikers before the window closes but I'm not holding my breath with only a week to go. Getting the right player is clearly important but equally it's important not to leave ourselves with insufficient cover to plug the injuries/suspensions we're likely to get between now and the end of the season. Is there another top half club in the Championship that only has two permanent first team strikers on its books?

Just for the record this is not intended to be a criticism of the club. I'm as delighted as anyone as to how this season is developing but the ongoing striker issue really bugs me and seems to be an unnecessary risk.

Because it is...

 

[B.W.]

But isn't it easier to be confident in signing defenders than strikers, whose form tends to peak and dip much more, and whose performance levels depend more on developing understandings with wingers, fellow strikers and midfield players? And perhaps playing Solly, Murph or Skalak in the second striker role when we know that they already fit into the system and the squad is preferable to bringing in an unknown element who might upset morale.

Is it? Not IMHO... all of them seem to waste their talents when they play the central role...

 

[Bigtomfu]

Is it? Not IMHO... all of them seem to waste their talents when they play the central role...

I'm inclined to agree with you. Last night we looked incredibly fluid for about ten minutes and then out of nowhere I felt Murphy/Knockaert/March suddenly got under each other's feet leaving us unclear on tactics in the final third.

We appeared to have numerous chances to cross the ball or run at their full backs and ended up doing nothing.

One could also argue that Cardiff did a good job of nullifying the threat by doubling/trebling up on players.


Getting back on topic I think we're trying on the striker front but won't throw good money after bad options and as ever as a fan it's frustrating that our watertight transfer news policy means we don't seem to get to know what's going on I implicitly trust the hierarchy to do the right thing.

 

[BensGrandad]

Just a thought and wondered what others think how about Maroune Chamakh I know he has been left out by many but he must have something about him ability wise and would he be better than we had last night without SB.or even for the bench which doesnt have many strikers usually,.

 

[Stat Brother]

FFS roll on 01.02.

 

[Icy Gull]

I have absolutely no expectations that we will sign anybody of note. No disappointments that way

 

[Albumen]

just a thought and wondered what others think how about maroune chamakh i know he has been left out by many but he must have something about him ability wise and would he be better than we had last night without sb.or even for the bench which doesnt have many strikers usually,.

no.he.wouldn't.

 

[BensGrandad]

I cannot understand why we didnt push March out wide left and Murphy down the middle although March had some good moments there were not enough of them to make the experiment of playing him there a success.

 

[Dr. No]

Just a thought and wondered what others think how about Maroune Chamakh

No.

 

[BensGrandad]

Would he not be better than what Manu did and better than having no striker on the bench.

 

[BensGrandad]

Igor Vetokele left Charlton on loan to another club in Belgium owned by Duchatelet. He looked good when Charlton last played us at The Amex.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Just a thought and wondered what others think how about Maroune Chamakh I know he has been left out by many but he must have something about him ability wise and would he be better than we had last night without SB.or even for the bench which doesnt have many strikers usually,.

Better than Hemed?

 

[BensGrandad]

Better than Hemed?

Not better than Hemed but TH usually replaces Murray and we need somebody as the supprt striker replacement as invariably SB is taken off as he has run himself into the ground, and a midfielder sent on which puts us under greater pressure,. So far we have managed to holdout but for how long will this continue.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Igor Vetokele left Charlton on loan to another club in Belgium owned by Duchatelet. He looked good when Charlton last played us at The Amex.

No chance, Vetokele is probably owned by the Duchatelet Corp.

 

[Arkwright]

While I feel we do need a back up striker however how close are we to breaching FFP. I can't see Barber releasing any funds if it means exceeding set levels of debt / borrowing.

 

[Triggaaar]

While I feel we do need a back up striker however how close are we to breaching FFP. I can't see Barber releasing any funds if it means exceeding set levels of debt / borrowing.

If we get promoted, we're no where near FFP limits, if we don't, then it could be an issue, although selling in the summer could fix that. Given that we were able to big a substantial amount for Pratchard it's fairly clear we have money available. With the position we're in, I think we should be signing a player ready for the PL.

 

[Milano]

While I feel we do need a back up striker however how close are we to breaching FFP. I can't see Barber releasing any funds if it means exceeding set levels of debt / borrowing.

Nor can I, however Manu and Kaz have both been shipped out on loan, both would have been on reasonable wages and I'd expect that for Kaz at least QPR will have paid a small loan fee. CH obviously thought we needed 4 strikers for the first half of the season, it is arguably even more important to have 4 now. I fully expect an incoming striker on a loan or short term deal in the next few days.

 

[Arkwright]

If we get promoted, we're no where near FFP limits, if we don't, then it could be an issue, although selling in the summer could fix that. Given that we were able to big a substantial amount for Pratchard it's fairly clear we have money available. With the position we're in, I think we should be signing a player ready for the PL.

When is the end of the financial year for the club accounts? Selling players in the summer might come into the following years accounts.

 

[Triggaaar]

When is the end of the financial year for the club accounts? Selling players in the summer might come into the following years accounts.

It doesn't matter, because FFP is now being based on 3 years, so we can spend any amount this year if we then balance it over the next two years.

 

[albionfan37]

If we get promoted, we're no where near FFP limits, if we don't, then it could be an issue, although selling in the summer could fix that. Given that we were able to big a substantial amount for Pratchard it's fairly clear we have money available. With the position we're in, I think we should be signing a player ready for the PL.

I guess that's the problem trying to find a player that can step up with us without costing a fortune and I doubt that any prem clubs would loanna prospect just to warm our bench either