Bellamy to Villa?

[Red_Polo]

I can’t see that happening considering that Fowler is on his way out already I don’t think that Rafa would replace three strikers in one summer/season.

That's what you'd think but going by what Lec said, the report suggests we will be getting Voronin and 2 other strikers in. As is so often the case with Rafa, I have no idea what to expect!

[Joey Jones]

You may be right. But this could be sh*t or bust for us. The $$$$ have come in, and we've waited long enough for No.19. Buy sufficient quality now (and we need to get it right now) and we'll have a chance. Bottle it, and fail to buy quality or continue rely on average players and we'll be waiting a lot longer.

I agree there will be pressure on the players and Rafa himself next season to deliver big time following the investment from the new owners. Whoever he signs in the summer (especially the ones for big money) will hopefully make a big difference in terms of quality to the squad.

[Joey Jones]

That's what you'd think but going by what Lec said, the report suggests we will be getting Voronin and 2 other strikers in. As is so often the case with Rafa, I have no idea what to expect!

That could well be the case but I just can’t see Rafa being so naïve as to start a new campaign with so little Premiership experience in his strikers. However, like you said it’s always hard to second guess RB.

[einar]

I have said it before. None of our current strikers are good enough. So if someone offers us what we payed for any of them I say take it.

I would love to see Klose, Huntelar, Villa or Eto but one striker caught my eye this week.

Jefferson Farfan.

What do you reckon?

[Joey Jones]

I have said it before. None of our current strikers are good enough. So if someone offers us what we payed for any of them I say take it.

I would love to see Klose, Huntelar, Villa or Eto but one striker caught my eye this week.

Jefferson Farfan.

What do you reckon?

For a split second I thought that you had written down Franny Jeffers!

[einar]

For a split second I thought that you had written down Franny Jeffers!

Not in a million years.

[Red_Al_77]

Football Echo is intimating 2 new strikers will be brought in during the summer (in addition to Voronin who will be 5th choice striker)

Mentions Eto'o and Villa as likely options but stresses the coaching staff are concerned over Eto'os personality and Villa's strength

If Voronin is 5th choice and we suspect Fowler will not be offered a new contract and two are coming in then that indicates only one to leave ( + Fowler). So assuming Kuyt isn't going then it's a straight choice between Bellamy and Crouch. Bellamy's traits are common to most strikers i.e. pace. Crouch is a freak. So it's bye bye Bellamy.

[Parm]

can i throw Yakubu into the picture?

[Joey Jones]

If Voronin is 5th choice and we suspect Fowler will not be offered a new contract and two are coming in then that indicates only one to leave ( + Fowler). So assuming Kuyt isn't going then it's a straight choice between Bellamy and Crouch. Bellamy's traits are common to most strikers i.e. pace. Crouch is a freak. So it's bye bye Bellamy.

There’s no way that Rafa could keep 5 strikers happy.

[Red_Al_77]

Maybe Voronin is multi-purpose...seeing as he does play on the wing every so often. Seeing as he is free I doubt Rafa will care too much if Voronin isn't overly happy.

[Dhav]

Football Echo is intimating 2 new strikers will be brought in during the summer (in addition to Voronin who will be 5th choice striker)

Mentions Eto'o and Villa as likely options but stresses the coaching staff are concerned over Eto'os personality and Villa's strength

If we're doubting these two then we're a bit too picky

[Joey Jones]

Maybe Voronin is multi-purpose...seeing as he does play on the wing every so often. Seeing as he is free I doubt Rafa will care too much if Voronin isn't overly happy.

Isn’t it Rafa’s job to keep the players happy?

The reason I said that he couldn’t keep 5 strikers happy is that on average 2 will start each game with probably one on the bench therefore one or two strikers will be left out of the 16 each week.

[Red_Al_77]

60games a season, 2 up front plus 1 on the bench = 180 slots.

5/180 = 36 slots/games

Voronin may offer Rafa possibilities

[Red_hot]

Also, Rafa has tried 4-3-3 a few times so if he uses this, then you would need 5 strikers to cover it. A striker who can play on the wing would be useful cover.

[Kopite_Colin]

Farfan has always flattered to deceive for me. I'd sell as many players as we can afford to to riase the cash and buy 2 if not 3 goalscoring strikers, and 1 (if not 2) top class winger.

Alves
Villa / Eto'o / Henry (you may laugh but there's rumours that Wenger will let him go for £18m)
Huntelaar / Klose
Giles Barnes

Sell:
Dudek
Kewell
Le Tallec
Pongolle
Fowler
Bellamy
Crouch
Cisse
Pennant
Zenden
Garcia (maybe to raise funds)
Carson (maybe to raise funds)

That's 12 players (and wages off the books)