David Moyes had what seemed a good idea but playing Jarrod Bowen up front is not the answer to our problems in front of goal. He is preferable to Michail Antonio or Danny Ings but last night against Olympiacos it became very clear that isn’t going to provide a long term answer and that a top No 9 is more than essential. It wasn’t until Jarrod returned to his right sided position that we looked anything like a side that would penetrate the Greeks and thus were below our levels.
Bowen is not the answer
Jarrod is one our best signings in many years and that he has signed a seven year deal with the club is of course wonderful. Yes, he can play in the central role but to nothing like the same effect as on the right wing. Fingers crossed that Tim Steidten is on the case because we are now desperate for a top striker and frankly it doesn’t matter how much we spend on one – he is so badly needed.
Moyes appears to believe that good attacking midfielders are often sufficient to get a result but when they are played out of their best positions as was the case last night with Jarrod it can affect a performance big time as we saw. Get that striker Moyes!
Agree with Buddy the long ball up to Bowen will not work, he has to be through or laying off and turning. Slow passing to players stood still to receive just isolates and stops forward movement, we must be able to utilise the flanks. We need a striker, and a method of play. Moyes is devoid of ideas and just wants big man up top, lump it. Back in the day, Liverpool and Notts Forest (Clough) utilised the wings. Play smart.
I don’t necessarily agree that Bowen is preferable to Antonio as a striker. Not that Antonio is great, but Bowen has scored all of his goals from the right with Antonio up front. I think we look more threatening as a team with Antonio up front, even if he doesn’t give us the goals directly… and Bowen certainlyloses some of his threat there. Clearly I’d love an upgrade on Antonio! But as Mr Buddy says, has to be the right profile. Hopefully Steidten is lining up another gem. Ings can just do one.
I’m dure that Steidten is on the case……..let’s see what happens in January. Not long now.
I have been watching Harry Kane for the answer. Kane receives the ball to either side, away from his body. This means he turns with the ball in a fluid motion. Mickie, and our players receive the ball aimed at their feet. Their first touch then pushes the ball back from where it came before trying to move it forward. This is why defenders push into them from behind. If they try this on Kane, he slips round them. Mickie falls over.
Our new manager – Vinnie Kompany !
I like Kompany too……he just needs some better player’s than Burnley’s to coach.
Completely depends on the type of service the No. 9 gets though. If we’re fast, and players are able to interchange positions, then I think it would work.
If we’re going to continue with this ridiculous 40-yard lump up front to a target man crap, or predictably out to the wings for a cross without backup, then sure, we need one.
I broadly agree, but it has to be a striker who suits our style – Haller and Scamacca were decent, but were used to playing with support. Let’s get Lukaku on the cheap – I think he’d thrive for us! 🙂