Do We Need Another Forward??

[Brain-dead Bee]

Everyone looked short last night, they were a big side.

Virtually everyone we play is bigger than us. Of our outfield starters Tues, I'd guess only Harlee is over 6ft - Craig, thereabouts - whereas Birm Wed probably had 5 or 6 that big. Means we look vulnerable at set pieces (though TBF I don't think we have conceded many that way yet). Last season Donaldson was an asset in defence, and Trotta big enough to play a role. But I'd rather take that risk than bring in big guys who can't play

 

[brentfordinmyveins]

Does anyone think we are willing to buy the right striker if one becomes available? or do you think a loan is our only realistic opportunity to strengthen our forwards?

Not implying either way, I know MB has the money but he may be a bit apprehensive to spend again with FFP and also with Hogan who he spent a lot of money on the long term absentee list. Food for thought, but I'd expect a striker of the level of ability we need to be expensive.

 

[SH]

I also think we might be underestimating just how big a blow losing Scott Hogan was.

You hit the nail on the head Les. Look at the progress Andre has made. Imagine that Hogan (good enough to be shortlisted for last season's League Two Player of the Year award) had made similar improvement, and you had him and Andre? Scott's injury was 48 hours before the transfer window shut. B+ggers' luck. In the circs, it's not surprising we had to (1) panic replace and (2) are not where we'd hoped to be (purely on the striking front). If Plan B's not working by January, Warbs & team will have had four months for a Plan C before the next major transfer window opens, but as we know from the examples frequently mentioned (McCormack, Jerome, Martin, Assombalonga), they're neither cheap nor plentiful. At least we have Scott to return...

 

[brentfordinmyveins]

You hit the nail on the head Les. Look at the progress Andre has made. Imagine that Hogan (good enough to be shortlisted for last season's League Two Player of the Year award) had made similar improvement, and you had him and Andre? Scott's injury was 48 hours before the transfer window shut. B+ggers' luck. In the circs, it's not surprising we had to (1) panic replace and (2) are not where we'd hoped to be (purely on the striking front). If Plan B's not working by January, Warbs & team will have had four months for a Plan C before the next major transfer window opens, but as we know from the examples frequently mentioned (McCormack, Jerome, Martin, Assombalonga), they're neither cheap nor plentiful. At least we have Scott to return...

Scott will be out for the whole season....

 

[SH]

Scott will be out for the whole season....

No really? I thought ACL's were like a sprained ankle I was making the point that he will return; I should have written he will return at some stage although "Timescales for Scott's return are loose at this stage, in that every knee and every injury are different, however on average the recovery from this type of injury is around nine months". I'll be clearer in future.

 

[brentfordinmyveins]

No really? I thought ACL's were like a sprained ankle I was making the point that he will return; I should have written he will return at some stage although "Timescales for Scott's return are loose at this stage, in that every knee and every injury are different, however on average the recovery from this type of injury is around nine months". I'll be clearer in future.

Not criticizing you SH for not putting a timescale, I am just saying that although Scott will return at some stage (next season) it will not help our situation this season and we might need to invest in some more firepower this season, whether that be a loan or a new signing.

 

[PJ]

You may take the michael kind sir, but I've been right all summer, the forward options are very limited.

I agree mate but you must have made the same point a thousand times

 

[Gee Bee]

When is Dallas likely to be fit? I have always seen him as a central striker at some point as he was whilst in Ireland.

 

[brentfordinmyveins]

When is Dallas likely to be fit? I have always seen him as a central striker at some point as he was whilst in Ireland.

Believe it or not, Dallas is still our joint top goal scorer this season despite being out for a while.

 

[shaun]

When is Dallas likely to be fit? I have always seen him as a central striker at some point as he was whilst in Ireland.

He might be a central striker playing against teams like Linfield, but personally, I don't see him in anyway as a striker.....

 

[Tunis Bee]

Not criticizing you SH for not putting a timescale, I am just saying that although Scott will return at some stage (next season) it will not help our situation this season and we might need to invest in some more firepower this season, whether that be a loan or a new signing.

Don't really think we need much help this season. We won't go down, we won't go up, we will end up somewhere in the middle. A new striker will not change this much, but will simply mean we have an extra cost on the wage bill. This time next year Gray will have added experience, Hogan will hopefully be back, and we can make a real go of it. Not being pessimistic, or wanting to write off this season, but I would prefer continuing with Andre with Nick and Betinho (when up to speed) challenging him than having a loanee in with our own players not gaining the experience they need at this level.

 

[BURFORD BEE]

Don't really think we need much help this season. We won't go down, we won't go up, we will end up somewhere in the middle. A new striker will not change this much, but will simply mean we have an extra cost on the wage bill. This time next year Gray will have added experience, Hogan will hopefully be back, and we can make a real go of it. Not being pessimistic, or wanting to write off this season, but I would prefer continuing with Andre with Nick and Betinho (when up to speed) challenging him than having a loanee in with our own players not gaining the experience they need at this level.

You are probably right and its not a million miles away from what I think. I am a little worried though that if Andre gets injured and Betinho doesn't get gametime we could be up a certain creek.

 

[magicbees]

You are probably right and its not a million miles away from what I think. I am a little worried though that if Andre gets injured and Betinho doesn't get gametime we could be up a certain creek.

Have to disagree if we don't get a striker and Gray, NP and Betinho don't improve there goals tally we will struggle.

 

[AB]

He's got 6 in 11 for MK this season, there's a chance he could give us something.

He does not fit our style of play/we can't play to his strengths (as one of two in a traditional 442). He got a fair amount of game time last season and we just never looked at all threatening against L1 defences when we were set up with him in the team. If that is more down to him than us and that he's learned while at MKDongs how to play as a lone striker perhaps he'd be worth having back, but I think the reality is that he's just not right for us, regardless of what he can do for other teams. It happens. I'd rather we got a decent fee out of MK than to bring him back and pin our hopes on him scoring freely (and being disappointed when he doesn't).

 

[twickersbee]

Have just read this article. He knows where the back of the net is, plays better against better opposition and is a Bee at heart....

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ws/fulham-striker-made-available-loan-7991532

 

[samwood]

I'm pretty sure the management will be happy to finish midtable with the curent squad we have. See where we after Xmas and unless we are in or near abouts the relegation zone then i'd say theres no point in getting a striker in when we are doing fine as we are. Better off waiting until Summer and regouping.

 

[blunstone]

Virtually everyone we play is bigger than us. Of our outfield starters Tues, I'd guess only Harlee is over 6ft - Craig, thereabouts - whereas Birm Wed probably had 5 or 6 that big. Means we look vulnerable at set pieces (though TBF I don't think we have conceded many that way yet). Last season Donaldson was an asset in defence, and Trotta big enough to play a role. But I'd rather take that risk than bring in big guys who can't play

yes. and we do have a very tall lad on the bench.

we are playing good football and a few lumbering giants won't help that cause much.

 

[grepo]

Bring back the Trots!

 

[tavare149]

Have just read this article. He knows where the back of the net is, plays better against better opposition and is a Bee at heart....

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ws/fulham-striker-made-available-loan-7991532

No please not again!!

 

[seanrs]

IMO we need a Stan Collymore type player to 'perfect' the side, all be it finding one and within budget will be a challenge.

Gary will make the perfect impact sub to come on when defences are tired. He's working his nuts off but eventually he is going to need a rest

 

[Beeian]

What I believe we need is someone like Joe Garner (PNE), tenacious player with bull dog attitude, but he's going to cost serious money

 

[RoyBee]

Can any Bees fan honestly say we don't need another forward?

 

[readingbee]

Can any Bees fan honestly say we don't need another forward?

I agree with you mate, but expect some interesting replies to your post. I really hope that nobody starts having a go at Gray.

 

[twickersbee]

Listening to Bees Player everything is set up for Marcello, he knows the we way we play, he knows the team. He would slot back in straight away!!

 

[maddogging]

He couldn't play the lone striker role in League 1, how the hell is he going to do it in the Championship.

We desperately need another forward, and this week

 

[RoyBee]

Listening to Bees Player everything is set up for Marcello, he knows the we way we play, he knows the team. He would slot back in straight away!!

He wasn't great in Lg1. Why do you think he will be productive at a division above?

 

[Billy Hunt]

He couldn't play the lone striker role in League 1, how the hell is he going to do it in the Championship.

 

[sonofabee]

Seconded

 

[hatfieldbee]

Seconded

Thirded! Is that a word?!

 

[seanrs]

We don't just need any forward we need one that fits in with our formation. In other words, someone who can play the lone striker role. Gray is working hard at it and will eventually grow into the role. Nick doesn't look good enough, as for Trotta not sure.

We have to remember that quality strikers don't grow on trees . It's no consolation but I suspect that if you went on every clubs message board tonight, you'd see postings on more than half of them saying "we need a striker" (maybe not Bournemouth!)

 

[sonofabee]

We don't just need any forward we need one that fits in with our formation. In other words, someone who can play the lone striker role. Gray is working hard at it and will eventually grow into the role. Nick doesn't look good enough, as for Trotta not sure.

We have to remember that quality strikers don't grow on trees . It's no consolation but I suspect that if you went on every clubs message board tonight, you'd see postings on more than half of them saying "we need a striker" (maybe not Bournemouth!)

We just need an alternative option to Andre without Scott Hogan.

 

[Beefletch]

The statistics are irrefutable. The absence of Betinho from the 18 confirms he us not considered an option so that leaves us very thin on the ground. I dont believe its a question of "do we need another forward" its more a question of who & when.
We weren't looking at Ebanks-Blake for fun there is an obvious problem that needs to be resolved.As far as I'm concerned it's about "who" fits the bill.

 

[badgerbee]

We just need an alternative option to Andre without Scott Hogan.

We needed that as soon as Hogan was injured......we all thought Betty was that man......but apparently MW has decided that's not the case.....ergo we've been a man down since Hogan's injury.....how long can we afford for that to still be the case??

 

[sonofabee]

We needed that as soon as Hogan was injured......we all thought Betty was that man......but apparently MW has decided that's not the case.....ergo we've been a man down since Hogan's injury.....how long can we afford for that to still be the case??

Maybe we're struggling to find one good enough to play at this level prepared to come on loan, can you think of anyone?

 

[shaun]

We don't just need any forward we need one that fits in with our formation. In other words, someone who can play the lone striker role. Gray is working hard at it and will eventually grow into the role. Nick doesn't look good enough, as for Trotta not sure.

We have to remember that quality strikers don't grow on trees . It's no consolation but I suspect that if you went on every clubs message board tonight, you'd see postings on more than half of them saying "we need a striker" (maybe not Bournemouth!)

I think Birmingham will be saying we need some defenders!

 

[Holysmit]

I agree with you mate, but expect some interesting replies to your post. I really hope that nobody starts having a go at Gray.

Agree hes just not suited to the role hes being asked to play after a big jump. Not doing him any favours.

That said he needs a b***ocking today for lack of effort- unlike him but he just looked like a player so down on confidence that he didnt see the point in trying

 

[badgerbee]

Maybe we're struggling to find one good enough to play at this level prepared to come on loan, can you think of anyone?

Nope.....don't know nearly enough about the relative merits of strikers in our price bracket or who might be available.....but that's MW's job......I simply posed the question last week which engendered a lot of discussion with quite a lot of people suggesting that we were 'OK with what we've got'........I'm also not criticising any of those that are currently with us as I'm sure they're doing their best.......but sometimes the best efforts of what you've got unfortunately isn't good enough.......in my opinion the facts speak for themselves.......our entire forward line have score 4 goals between them in 14 League games...........we need another option.........

 

[CRitch87]

Loaning grigg out has worked he is match fit and scoring, bring him back before getting anyone else in,

 

[Beeian]

Bring back the Trots!

not the answer and not good enough, can't get into the Fulham side should tell you that

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I think it will be very, very difficult to bring in a player who is better than we've got until January. Perhaps we should be expecting more from our midfielders (e.g no goals from Judge yet which isn't great).

 

[BeesBloke]

If Grigg was still here he would probably be starting games by now, but I thought it was a season long loan without recall? Fat Karl got caught out last year when Bamford went back and didn't want the same to happen this season.

 

[sonofabee]

Nope.....don't know nearly enough about the relative merits of strikers in our price bracket or who might be available.....but that's MW's job......I simply posed the question last week which engendered a lot of discussion with quite a lot of people suggesting that we were 'OK with what we've got'........I'm also not criticising any of those that are currently with us as I'm sure they're doing their best.......but sometimes the best efforts of what you've got unfortunately isn't good enough.......in my opinion the facts speak for themselves.......our entire forward line have score 4 goals between them in 14 League games...........we need another option.........

I agree we need another option up front but I suspect most fans feel the same way. You can't rely on one forward to play the lone striker role especially one who was previously playing 3 levels below this one.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

If we changed the way we play then Grigg might be an option but we won't so there isn't the slightest scrap of evidence that Grigg will do any better than Gray.

 

[seanrs]

I think it will be very, very difficult to bring in a player who is better than we've got until January. Perhaps we should be expecting more from our midfielders (e.g no goals from Judge yet which isn't great).

Your first sentence is making me think that maybe going for Trotta on a SHORT term loan maybe isn't a bad idea, if there are no other players on the radar. It's only going to take one injury for us to have a striker crisis and turning a player into a striker (e.g. Dallas) won't work at this level.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Your first sentence is making me think that maybe going for Trotta on a SHORT term loan maybe isn't a bad idea, if there are no other players on the radar. It's only going to take one injury for us to have a striker crisis and turning a player into a striker (e.g. Dallas) won't work at this level.

See my post on Trotta.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Nope.....don't know nearly enough about the relative merits of strikers in our price bracket or who might be available.....but that's MW's job......I simply posed the question last week which engendered a lot of discussion with quite a lot of people suggesting that we were 'OK with what we've got'........I'm also not criticising any of those that are currently with us as I'm sure they're doing their best.......but sometimes the best efforts of what you've got unfortunately isn't good enough.......in my opinion the facts speak for themselves.......our entire forward line have score 4 goals between them in 14 League games...........we need another option.........

We are not ok with what we have got.We have got one of the best footballing sides in this league(Potentially) Sadly we are going to struggle if we do not sign someone who knows where the net is.This is the Championship, and if we ignore our weakness , all the good work of the last two seasons could well be undone.This is not a press of the panic button, but we have already dropped points that we should have won due to this problem.

 

[Bridge Bee]

We are not ok with what we have got.We have got one of the best footballing sides in this league(Potentially) Sadly we are going to struggle if we do not sign someone who knows where the net is.This is the Championship, and if we ignore our weakness , all the good work of the last two seasons could well be undone.This is not a press of the panic button, but we have already dropped points that we should have won due to this problem.

Exactly. This league is unforgiving. Look at the fixtures we have coming up. If people think we are fine to go with what we've got then they are happy to be bottom 6.

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

Exactly. This league is unforgiving. Look at the fixtures we have coming up. If people think we are fine to go with what we've got then they are happy to be bottom 6.

I'd take bottom 6 now, as long as it's not bottom 3.

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

I think we have had such a great start but if I'm honest the striker issue is causing me great concern.

 

[red_and_white]

What I believe we need is someone like Joe Garner (PNE), tenacious player with bull dog attitude, but he's going to cost serious money

Yup. Was thinking exactly the same thing, but also think he'll cost a fair bit. CAn see him going somewhere in jan unless he wants to finish the job with PNE