For me we are missing a

[Kopite_Colin]

......... Cantona-type signing. A player with a wnning mentality with talent to match, who can produce the qulaity and unpredictability which turns key games, with indiviudal moments of brilliance. Someone the oppossing fans love to hate / are frightened of.

For example, when Henry and van Persie walked onto the pitch tonight, I thought to myself, "I hope those 2 don't have good games tonight". They didn't - but Henry still managed to nail the final nail in our coffin near the end.

That's what we're missing. Someone to take us to the next level.

I know I posted this in the middle of another thread but I think it's a good topic for discussion so i thought it deserved it's own thread.

[Colemere]

Is that type of player something that Benitez has in a side really?

Seems to me that he doesn't look for that type of player, they wouldn't fit in with his cauttious style of play.

Although you make a good point that type of player is what we could do with.

[Kopite_Colin]

I completely disagreed with Houillier's footballing philosophy by the time he left. IF Rafa doesn't want the BEST in his team, then he's wrong, and he's a fool. But I don't for one moment think that's the case. He's gone for the creative winger option so far (which I agree with and is a brave option) but it hasn't worked so far. He also indulges Garcia, who is one of the most creative players we have, and delivers important goals. My only criticism of Rafa's use of Garcia is that he is better just behind the main striker(s) rathe rthan out on the wing as a wide MFer.

So we either:
1) Stick with what we've got , wait and hope Gonza;ez, Pennant adapt, and Harry gets fit
2)Go for another winger who we hope will hit the ground running in the Prem now
3) Change the style and have a creative "No. 10" type player (like Cantona) who creates and scores goals

[Colemere]

I completely disagreed with Houillier's footballing philosophy by the time he left. IF Rafa doesn't want the BEST in his team, then he's wrong, and he's a fool. But I don't for one moment think that's the case. He's gone for the creative winger option so far (which I agree with and is a brave option) but it hasn't worked so far. He also indulges Garcia, who is one of the most creative players we have, and delivers important goals. My only criticism of Rafa's use of Garcia is that he is better just behind the main striker(s) rathe rthan out on the wing as a wide MFer.

So we either:
1) Stick with what we've got , wait and hope Gonza;ez, Pennant adapt, and Harry gets fit
2)Go for another winger who we hope will hit the ground running in the Prem now
3) Change the style and have a creative "No. 10" type player (like Cantona) who creates and scores goals

I thought you may bring up Garcia, who like some other of his more attacking saignings have not done it consistently, but sometimes i wonder if it's Rafas style of play which means that players like Garcia and Kewell etc. don't do as well and do not turn games on moments of skill that they have shown under more attacking minded managers.

[Red Chilli]

Any suggestions Colin? I just think players of Cantona's calibre (grits teeth) are pretty hard to come by.

[lfcruleus]

Exactly who would you suggest? also peeps keep bemoaning our strikers and asking rafa to sign "class" ones who would you suggest? realistically of course

[Colemere]

It's not necessarily the quality of strikers that we do sign it is the style of play that doesn't suit consistent goalscoring.

[Red Chilli]

It's not necessarily the quality of strikers that we do sign it is the style of play that doesn't suit consistent goalscoring.

Good point. Our strikers generally feed off scraps. You either need top class finisers who can also create their own goals or you change to a more attacking style, or both.

[lfcruleus]

and there arent many about, none in our price range.

[Red Chilli]

and there arent many about, none in our price range.

and not in this window

[Kopite_Colin]

If you're talking about creative CMers, then I don't think we can really improve on what we already have - maybe Juninho. But if you'tre talking about a "split-striker / No. 10" Dalglish / Beardsley type player the I suppose you're in the realm of Aimar, Riquelme, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Saviola, Totti, Baptista.

But if you're strictly speaking about a true goalscoring partner for Kuyt who will get on the end of true wingers quality deliveries (if it ever happens for us!) then you're talking about, Ronaldo, Raul, Shevchenko, Villa, Huntelaar, Torres, RVN etc.

But whoever we do sign - we need to take the quality level up a notch.

[Colemere]

Good point. Our strikers generally feed off scraps. You either need top class finisers who can also create their own goals or you change to a more attacking style, or both.

I think that is what he is trying to say by the fact that we need a Cantona-esq player, he may just be getting a little exited about the influx of cash that will soon be happening and getting ahead of himself.

[Red Chilli]

if you'tre talking about a "split-striker / No. 10" Dalglish / Beardsley type player the I suppose you're in the realm of Aimar, Riquelme, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Saviola, Totti, Baptista.

I don't want Totti, sorry but despite his footballing ability (debatable), I can't see past his play-acting, his stamping and his spitting.
Kaka or Ronaldinho are NEVER going to happen, we can't afford them and their teams won't sell whilst they are any good.
Baptista is not doing much at Arsenal and is Saviola good enough to take us to the next level, I'm not convinced.
I don't think we'll get Riquelme and there is the question about whether he'll adapt.

But if you're strictly speaking about a true goalscoring partner for Kuyt who will get on the end of true wingers quality deliveries (if it ever happens for us!) then you're talking about, Ronaldo, Raul, Shevchenko, Villa, Huntelaar, Torres, RVN etc.

We won't get/can't afford any of that lot unfortunately, a bit too unrealistic for me

[lfcruleus]

If you're talking about creative CMers, then I don't think we can really improve on what we already have - maybe Juninho. But if you'tre talking about a "split-striker / No. 10" Dalglish / Beardsley type player the I suppose you're in the realm of Aimar, Riquelme, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Saviola, Totti, Baptista.

But if you're strictly speaking about a true goalscoring partner for Kuyt who will get on the end of true wingers quality deliveries (if it ever happens for us!) then you're talking about, Ronaldo, Raul, Shevchenko, Villa, Huntelaar, Torres, RVN etc.

But whoever we do sign - we need to take the quality level up a notch.

I assume you mean Juninho at Lyon? if so no way we can afford him. Everyone else you mention are unrealistic too as with the exception of Riquelme and Huntelaar (who is unproven at our level and internet people all seem to think he is the greatest but Dirk was playing ahead of him for Holland) are already at massive clubs, why would they come to us? I sometimes wonder if people actually think Rafa is an idiot? Do you not think he would be signing players of this calibre if he could? Oh by the way Ronaldo dont make me ****in laff he's eaten more pies than me.

[Kopite_Colin]

If we have got plenty of ££££££ coming in, then these are the sort of players we should be aiming at, cos there aren't many better. I agree about your points about Totti, Saviola & Baptista (he may need time), but we have to do something becuase these guys are a cut above the likes of Crouch, Bellamy & Fowler. (I forgot Van de Vaart! He seems to be maturing and may link up well with Kuyt)

Ironically, these may not be the guys that have the impact (remember Sheff Wed were trying to unload Cantona), but we need to pick someone up with the quality, work ethic and the skill he had who isgoing to have such an impact. Difficult I know, but we desperately need someone like that if the wingers aren't going to deliver.