How good is our strike force compared to others?

[JCL - the new kid in town]

Our chance conversion rate last season was better than all the teams except the promoted clubs.

Which implies there isn't a whole lot wrong with our current strike force and if Gus is more confident in our defence then maybe we'll see more of the attacking football from 2 years ago

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

I've been on this all night. After some extensive research I can reveal that the answer is 4.3. Hope that helps.

i thought the answer was 42

 

[Discodoktor]

Oh i'd be over the moon if we sign a 20+ goal scorer/next Zamora, i was more responding to the doom and gloom merchants who have us in a relegation battle because we haven't signed a striker. I don't understand the pessimism, i always have a hugely optimistic feeling about every coming season building over the summer generally enhanced by not seeing them play only to have my hopes dashed after the first few games and when we haven't signed anyone. Recently however i haven't had that come down as the last few years have been brilliant and still people manage to be pessimistic! have they no memory?

I don't feel pessimistic but would be very happy if we improve the squad. That saying I would be surprised if we go up. I feel bookies putting us at 8-9th for promo is about right.

Yes bookies are wrong they put us 7th in last div 1 season I put us top two.

 

[Discodoktor]

Shhh, i was glossing over that small matter hoping no-one would notice

Why?

 

[Skaville]

i thought the answer was 42

Nope, that's the meaning of life or Vicente's physical age

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

Why?

Because it was the flaw in my arguement that you don't need one high scorer, if Roberts had been there all season he would have been on around 16 goals assuming he scored at the same rate.

Of course i get excited about new signings and i too would be surprised if we went up (perhaps thats the years of gloom in me) but i do think/hope that we will be pushing the playoffs like last season except without falling away quite as badly and if we're there at the end who knows what will happen. There are always surprises in football.

 

[perseus]

Which implies there isn't a whole lot wrong with our current strike force and if Gus is more confident in our defence then maybe we'll see more of the attacking football from 2 years ago

It is not too bad, but not good enough. We need a striker/midfielder (or both) that can run into scoring positions (to get to the chances to miss). I think Macca can play better so maybe he could do the job with Barnsey.

Becchio would be better

 

[Perkino]

Last season we had a weak defence so to compensate we played 2 defensive midfielders which ment we had either 1 winger or 1 striker on the pitch to allow a 3rd central midfielder.

With stronger fullbacks we may see a change in our shape and style which will hopefully make us more of a threat going forward. A lot will depend on how much Vicente plays and how well he and Bridcutt play together.

I'm not convinced we need another midfielder or striker as I think we already have 4 of the best midfielders and 2 very good strikers I'd rather we signed another centre back who has some good pace and can pass the ball

 

[Discodoktor]

Last season we had a weak defence so to compensate we played 2 defensive midfielders which ment we had either 1 winger or 1 striker on the pitch to allow a 3rd central midfielder.

With stronger fullbacks we may see a change in our shape and style which will hopefully make us more of a threat going forward. A lot will depend on how much Vicente plays and how well he and Bridcutt play together.

I'm not convinced we need another midfielder or striker as I think we already have 4 of the best midfielders and 2 very good strikers I'd rather we signed another centre back who has some good pace and can pass the ball

Best argument against so far for we could go up without.

I think our shape will slightly alter with our new wing backs. Also feel that our midfield is premiership but lacks muscle. Would love us to play lua lua more and for us to cross in front and on the floor of macca and Barnes. However a target man who can hold up the ball and head high crosses and muscle chances and shoots then things look very sweeter.

 

[Perkino]

Best argument against so far for we could go up without.

I think our shape will slightly alter with our new wing backs. Also feel that our midfield is premiership but lacks muscle. Would love us to play lua lua more and for us to cross in front and on the floor of macca and Barnes. However a target man who can hold up the ball and head high crosses and muscle chances and shoots then things look very sweeter.

We currently have a decent starting line up plus 2 or 3 subs who are very capable but after that there is a sudden drop in quality which could be where we are found wanting this season.

Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bridge, Bridcutt, Vicente, Lualua, Buckley, CMS, Barnes & Calderon, El-Abd, Noone after these we are looking distinctly average so we may need to improve our overall squad if we want to be serious contenders

 

[Discodoktor]

Hmmm

 

[perseus]

There are better strikers:

Heiðar Helguson
Luciano Becchio
Lukas Jutkiewicz
Charlie Austin

and others from the team relegated from the Premier.

We could use a goal scoring midfielder like Peter Whittingham, which why Cardiff are my favourites to win the Championship this year. None of our many midfielders have a goalscoring pedigree. With Vicente fit we could be in that class.

Now we have a strong defence, why can't we allow Ashley Barnes to play as an out and out forward? It sounds like we might have done against Leicester.