When was the last time we had a true potent strike partnership?

[Kopite_Colin]

I'm an old Red, but even I'm starting to forget. Beardsley & Aldridge or Rush & Aldridge or Rush & Fowler, maybe even Collymore & Fowler. After that I'm struggling - that's a sad indictment of the last 10 years or so.

In that time we've had Fowler, Owen, Heskey, Cisse, Bellamy, Kuyt, Crouch, Baros, Diouf, Morientes, Pongolle, Mellor -none of whom have formed a lethal partnership conistently

Add to this such a poor supply for wide areas over this period, this is why we've struggled to score enough goals to consistently put a title bid together

Goals win games. And we've missed SO many chances over the last 2 years it's untrue. Until we sort that out with class up front it's going to be 17, 18, 19 years and counting. I only hope Rafa's got something lined up in Jan for us.

[FatTony]

Collymore and Fowler were the last.

I think Bellamy and Kuyt have potential for next season (Kuyt needs a season and I think he'll come good).

[kopdan]

to be fair, name one partnership in the premiership of late

I suppose Cole and Yorke is the best I can come up with

[Morph]

i suppose some might say Heskey and Owen in Hesky's first season, but we all know what happened after that.

[Kopite_Colin]

Sheringham & Cole

[Kopite_Colin]

Sutton & Shearer, Shearer & Ferdinand, Cantona & Cole

[kopdan]

so when was that? 1999'ish

see a trend here

[kopdan]

Sutton & Shearer

going backwards now

[kopdan]

fact is...premiership football has changed. Strike partnerships rarely get a chance to develop with rotation and playing one up top away from home.

[Kopite_Colin]

fact is...premiership football has changed. Strike partnerships rarely get a chance to develop with rotation and playing one up top away from home.

You're right - but that tactic is ****e as well. Hate it. Play your best 11 at all times. Win the game first. Then think about resting people. You don't see Ferguson resting his key players really: Saha, Rooney, Ronaldo, Ferinand, Van der Sar. Same with Mourinho: Cech, Terry, Lampard, Essien, Drogba (although he has done it more with Drogba)

Wenger was the same until the last season or so:

Same BAck four, Pires, Vieira, A N other, Ljungberg, Henry & Bergkamp up front

[Kopite_Colin]

Now Henry & van Persie

[kopdan]

Fair enough

But you do admit that strike partnerships of old dont exist anymore.

[Kaip]

Now Henry & van Persie

giggle

[Rocket]

Johnson & Beattie

[El Diego]

Fowler & Collymore was awesome.