How long are we gonna get away with it?

[LadyRed]

Crouch has been instrumental as a team player for us in a way that Baros never was, and it's not like Baros can claim to have scored more goals for us than Crouch has.

Cisse scored 9 league goals for us last season and Bellamy has come close to that in his first season for us with games still to play and having made for more chances than Cisse ever did. I know Cisse was played out of position for quite a few of our league games, but he was also used to take the piss out of tired defences that were leaving gaps at the back because they had to chase the game. If it boiled down to who I'd want to start a crucial game for us I know who I'd want. Bellamy is a much smarter player

Before we get too worried about Rafa's ability to find the right striker, let's not forget Rafa wanted to sign Villa before he became a massive name. I think we'll be signing a striker similar to him, if not the man himself. We've got enough strikers who can retain possession for the team and knit things together - what we'll be looking for is someone with pace, good touch, movement and finishing.

The reason we haven't had signed someone like that already is because it's so rare to find one that's affordable and we've had so many other positions to fill. With many of those positions sorted, and with a change in what is now affordable to us, I think we can look forward to snapping up a striker with the kind of quality we need.

My comparison was made based on who was sold and immediately brought after.

I think we have good reason to be concerned about the quality of strikers we may sign.

As for Bellamy, I have my reservations based more on his character than ability, and if he was a *much* better player than Cisse, which I don't believe he is, than maybe I'd be more willing to overlook them.

[LadyRed]

i can't believe after the greatest performance by any team in any sport in all past, present and future humanoid lifeform/football-supporting planets, that a so-called "fan" would have the disgusting defeatist temerity
to question the dear leader of this epoch-defining masterclass. for christ's sake, some people are never happy. you can't just go asking realistic questions today of all days.

i'm going to bed. you all watched a different season than me. i'm heartbroken etc..........

(i'm learning to let go)

well at least rafa had the good sense to get rid of cisse. if he wants eto'o, you'd think he's thinking along the right lines...

Um...maybe you should try to take the thread in context...?

No one is questioning last nights achievement. Fans are entitled to have concerns/opinions etc.

[Red Chilli]

He was trying to wind me up LR. Quick edit your post before he accuses you of being "kurtangle'd"

[lfc4ever]

Um...maybe you should try to take the thread in context...?

No one is questioning last nights achievement. Fans are entitled to have concerns/opinions etc.

Saved for later use.

[Red Chilli]

Saved for later use.

You're a bad man Del.


FAO LadyRed (LR): To be "kurtangle'd" http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=10056

[glynner]

How many managers always get their first choice?

Probably zero.

You have to go for strikers who are available and who are willing to sign.

Zero ? Really ?

Surely Slur Alex got Rooney as his first choice, same with Horseface.

And Wenger most likely got Henry as a first choice.

I think there are defintely instances where the managers of our close rivals got the exact striker they were looking for. I don't know if Bellers, Kuyt or Crouch were Rafa's 1st choice transfer target.

[Red Chilli]

Always get their first choice.

I'm sure Xabi was Rafa's first choice as was Pepe.

[shelly]

They maybe Rafa's choices but good strikers dont come cheap in the main. We simply havent had the reddies to buy what we need. Rafa has gone for a few strikers instead of just one. Probably because we would be even more ****ed if that main striker got injured.

Agreed
The cost of very good attacking players is ridiculous to be honest and we quite simply have not been able to compete.

I mean people are screaming about spending 15-20 million on a right back like Alves, but don't blink twice when they want a world class striker like Eto'O for 30 million. Look at how much the prices have been/ are being quoted for the really good strikers/attacking midfielders. Madrid are saying they want Kaka and the numbers reported have been 100 million or so, same for Ronaldinho... Torres, Eto'O and Villa also hold astronomical price tags. Sheva at 30 years of age went for over 30 million! It's madness!

I know goals win you games and we need better finishers, but the price tags are absurd and we aren't the only big team in Europe looking for top class strikers. Hopefully with investment we can now compete.

[kurtangle01]

Last night was the only time that we've "got away with it" because we certainly never on Saturday, did we?

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Its very worrying watching them have all the chances and not finishing games off.

This will be sorted in the Summer with a TOP CLASS striker coming in

[badpiggy]

Um...maybe you should try to take the thread in context...?

No one is questioning last nights achievement. Fans are entitled to have concerns/opinions etc.

some people on here did question the achievement - actually the manner of this achievement rant rant blah blah - but order has been restored - all fans are entitled to have any opinion they want as long as it's the right one. everyone and his kurtangle* knows this or they should piss off back to old trafford...

i also reject - as should all right-thinking members/fans - the idea of taking things within context. it's face value or nothing.

VIVA RAFA!
VIVA UNITY!
VIVA EL REVOLUCION TACTICO Y HARDWORKINGO!


*sorry kurt

[Mr Tourette]

True about the financial restrictions, however when you sell/loan out a player, his replacement has to, at the very least be as good as him. Realistically a club of our stature, he needs to be better than who he's reaplacing.

Is Crouch better then Baros? Hmm...I don't know.

Is Bellamy better than Cisse? Not in my opinion. Cisse as a bits and parts player scored 20 goals for us last season, I don't think Bellamy will get us 20 this season.

I know what youre saying - I think everyone has thrown in their two penneth in the last few weeks and the problem has been exascerbated by the last 2 games that we have dominated for long periods and ultimately lost.

I do howver think that bellamy, crouch and Kuyt all have roles to play - and that we just need one classy striker - its pretty obvious. The problem is attracting them. Everyone is talking about villa, torres and eto - personally im concerned that villa isnt suited, that torres hasnt really got any better for the last 2 years and Eto wont come to us. We missed the boat on him. I seriously doubt that we will get any of the above and its going to be a mystery until the signing is announced surprising a few people.

also - i always felt sorry for cisse - played out of position - he had a great knack of scoring **** goals - but he also had a complete 50p foot. Awful control - and i like bellamy as a player more.

Baros was a good player but he wasnt a team man AT ALL. head down and go. Served us reasonably well but i prefer what weve got.

Crouch has sublime skill and is statistically the most accurate shooter this season. Hes a bit frustrating but can cause havoc as well....

i dont know - i just feel that it would be harsh to get rid of any of the strikers yet it wouldnt really geniunely upset me either....

[Joe Le Toff]

Crouch is a differnt player so you cant really compare them. Baros and Bellamy would be a better comparison. For me, Bellamy offers more to the team than Baros did.

Like everything buying players is a risk. We bought Morientes. Everyone and anyone thought we had signed someone who would bang in goals left right and centre like he had done before. That proved not to be the case, I dont think thats Rafa's fault and with it not working Nando got shipped out.

In my opinion Bellamy is by far and away a better player than Cisse. Im sure that if Bellamy had the chance to play against TNS he would increase his goal tally but nevermind.
Once, hopefully, Rafa gets a good wodge of cash to spend, he will go after a striker who costs the amount you'd expect to pay for a proven goalscorer at the highest level.

No question.

[LadyRed]

He was trying to wind me up LR. Quick edit your post before he accuses you of being "kurtangle'd"

Too late, I guess...

[LadyRed]

Its very worrying watching them have all the chances and not finishing games off.

This will be sorted in the Summer with a TOP CLASS striker coming in

I hope you're right.

But like others have mentioned, when you think of the truely world class strikers and how much they'd cost...it's difficult to see it happening. I hope you're right though.