IMO it counts.
Everything changes as time goes on and our championship/division 2 team, could only play what was in front of them.
Personally, I don't think the quality of football has improved anyway, just the stadia, environment and playing conditions.
I would take the Liverpool team of the...
Though Tilts scored in the Championship for us. I can't recall whether COG did, but he may have scored a pen. (Do they count now Barnes has left?)
You can add Obika, Best and Paynter.
Worse or less likely to score?
Worse, "yes" I would agree, 'less likely to score', not sure I could name as many as you and I've supported over 35 years.
His hold up play, had its moments and he has that clever turn in him, but his positional sense (in terms of poaching goals), and...