So Fernando needs a decent strike partner...

[Slinky Skills]

Dean Ashton anyone??

[zimbo]

I like fowler as much as the next liverpool fan, but we gotta admit that he's over for liverpool (and that's a shame.. all rafa's fault).

Yes, why he refused to sanction that ground-breaking time-reversal machine will forever be a mystery to me.
The selfish swine.

[Danish_Pastry]

... or a cheaper option could be Soren Larsen from Schalke, who has fallen down the order, as fourth striker - although he is a major joker - and he can head a ball like thunder. His contract runs out july 2009, so like Crouch, he is a man wanted to leave by Schalke.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Larsen

and the YouTube-test:

Look abt. the 4th minute in this "Denmarks best goals-cavalcade"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tGcMRs1xew

According to this page in Danish goal.com has mentioned that an unnamed English club wants S. Larsen! http://www.indkast.dk/index.php?nyhed=31538

By the way - Van der Vaart seems to be on his way away from Hamburg: http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=531437

[Shaggy]

Dean Ashton anyone??

Or perhaps we could even go for the lad keeping Ashton out of the team, Carlton Cole?

[Nic83]

Why not just sign Alan lee?!!

[Neil Young]

Why not just sign Alan lee?!!

I don't think he's the answer. From Wiki:

Alan Lee (born August 20, 1947) is an English book illustrator and movie conceptual designer.

He has illustrated several fantasy books, notably several works of J.R.R. Tolkien, such as the centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Children of Húrin. Other books he has illustrated include Faeries (with Brian Froud), Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock (as well as the cover of an early print of this book), The Mabinogion, Castles and Tolkien's Ring (both by David Day), 'The Mirrorstone by Michael Palin, The Moon's Revenge by Joan Aiken and Merlin Dreams by Peter Dickinson. He has also illustrated Rosemary Sutcliff's adaptations of The Iliad and The Odyssey (Black Ships Before Troy and The Wanderings of Odysseus.) He has also done a cover painting for Mervyn Peake's Titus Groan. He won the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration in 1993 for Black Ships Before Troy and the Best Artist Award at the World Fantasy Awards of 1998.

Lee and John Howe were the lead concept artists of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movies. He illustrated many of the scenarios for the movies, including objects and weapons for the actors. In 2004, he won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work on the third film in the trilogy, The Return of the King. Lee has also worked as a conceptual designer on the films Legend, Erik the Viking, King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the television mini-series Merlin. Lee recently released a portfolio of his conceptual artwork for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, entitled The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook.

Evidently from observing his work, watercolor is his preferred painting medium, along with pencil for his sketches.

Alan recently did the artwork for the CD Alive! by the Dutch band Omnia, released on 3 August 2007 during the Castlefest festival.

[Angry Dan]

Or perhaps we could even go for the lad keeping Ashton out of the team, Carlton Cole?

I have to say that I can not believe that Cole is in front of Ashton for any other reason than he is not fully recovered from his injury.

Cole has scored so few goals in his career he cannot be in the team for his ability to score goals.

I would pick Ashton to perform the Crouch role for the team if Crouch was to leave. I also do not think we need 4 top class strikers I would rather we had the choice of 3 that would be considered first team regulars and then have the 4th place allocated to one of the youngsters at the the club.

Barring any major injury that would be more than enough cover in my opinion.

[dww]

I have to say that I can not believe that Cole is in front of Ashton for any other reason than he is not fully recovered from his injury.

Cole has scored so few goals in his career he cannot be in the team for his ability to score goals.

I would pick Ashton to perform the Crouch role for the team if Crouch was to leave. I also do not think we need 4 top class strikers I would rather we had the choice of 3 that would be considered first team regulars and then have the 4th place allocated to one of the youngsters at the the club.

Barring any major injury that would be more than enough cover in my opinion.

He's in the team for his movement and hold up play I think. I agree that a fully match fit Ashton would be a bigger goal threat but his lack of mobility doesn't suit the way that West Ham are playing at present and I don't think he would be well suited to us either. He is however a very good player.

[Angry Dan]

I would of said that he is more mobile than Crouch and his ability to hold up the ball was one of his strong points.

[Fan65]

crouch should be given 10 games up front with him.everyone else have had their chances and done nothing.give crouch a chance !

Fair shout but I would like to see Babel given a run as Torres partner. He looks like a very clever and skilfull player and could link up well with Torres's pace and running.

[Airman]

Fair shout but I would like to see Babel given a run as Torres partner. He looks like a very clever and skilfull player and could link up well with Torres's pace and running.

Next season will be Babel's 'coming of age' in the Premiership I suspect

[Nic83]

I think Babel is going to be a real big hit in the prem. he has all the attributes needed. Those 'get you off your seat flair' players. we now have 2, Babel and Torres. dunno if Gerrard qualifies for that particular type of player but you can make it 3 if you like..

[dww]

I would of said that he is more mobile than Crouch and his ability to hold up the ball was one of his strong points.

For me he is about as mobile as Crouch - not a lot in it. Crouch works harder though. Ashton is decent at holding the ball up but offer a static target to the team behind him unlike Cole. I also think his passing and awareness are only average - I would go so far as to say worse than Crouch's.

[Angry Dan]

Fair enough, I think there is not much in it except Ashton is a far bigger goal threat.

I too think that Babel will prove to be the best partner for Torres between now and next season.

[red g]

What about Agbonlahor? Could he be lured of Villa?

cant see it, young lad playing for his local team think he will be at villa for a couple of more seasons minimum