13 Apr 2024 00:18:05
ETH saying he definitely needs another striker next season, not new news I know but who do you think we will go for, Ivan toney would me guess.
13 Apr 2024 01:15:46
Does not matter a hoot if we are not providing service to them. First thing we need is someone who can and will cross the ball. Not someone who gets there and then turns and plays it back because he is on the wrong flank!
I don’t disagree we need a striker but there has to be a plan to utilise them properly.
13 Apr 2024 06:19:22
I think it’s a great idea. When he gets to his new club whenever that may be.
13 Apr 2024 08:46:11
KeefyT143
I agree we need someone who will cross the ball, too predictable with the inverted wingers.
13 Apr 2024 09:18:43
We do need another striker and people talking about service, Hoiland is very raw and some the runs he makes are poor so its not just about service and finding him, its also about clever runs into space where wingers can find you with a cross or a pass. He is work in progress imo and we need another striker to provide competition and something different as an option.
13 Apr 2024 10:02:26
Hojland is very raw, needs to be coached on his runs, finishing and controlling hold up play. He looked quick when he came but hasn’t looked it more recently.
We have people who can cross the ball, we have got rid of people who could cross a ball. It is tactics that are at fault. I saw against Chelsea, for probably the first time, Antony running the full back and not stopping turning inside passing back. We just don’t cross and it looks an instruction. We don’t move the ball through the lines back to front, we don’t cross, so it will be tough for any forward until the tactics change.
13 Apr 2024 10:39:58
Højlund will be our starting CF long term, but he is still very raw in some parts of his game. He can't be expected to start every game as he will need rest both physically and mentally. Sometimes with a young player you just need to take them out of the spotlight every now and again.
I think we aren't set up to create enough goal scoring chances, which is why Højlund hasn't scored as many as his talent and ability suggest he should. He just isn't getting a the ball enough. He actually makes some great runs, but most of our forwards play with their head down looking to shoot themselves. Only when that option is ruled out do they look to pass to a teammate. By which time Højlund is marked and not an option. Personally I'd scrap bonuses for goals scored and increase the bonus for assists. It might make a few of the financially motivated players play with their head up a bit more.
That said next season if we can solve the issues with our defence and midfield then we should have greater control in games and hopefully that will lead to creating more chances, and hopefully better chances. Currently it's very much a case of win the ball and attack, lose it, then try and win it back again. Rinse and repeat.
Ideally he needs someone with experience to come in and rotate round with him, take the heat off of him and guide and help him improve in those key areas.
The problem is finding someone who ticks all or at least as many of the boxes as possible without costing a fortune.
In the last few days I've mentioned on here that there is a lack of quality forwards available, and that even fairly average strikers are costing a kings ransom due to the lack of options on the market. Leading me to suggest looking for a flexible forward capable of playing across the front line so as to make sure we are getting better value for money. Maybe someone who has some experience and proven ability, but still with potential to be better and improve.
However, yesterday rumours surfaced that Ivan Toney might be available this summer for around 40m. If true then we absolutely have to be front and centre for that deal. Toney for 50m or less would absolutely be as near to a perfect signing as we could make. EPL proven, perfect age (just turned 28 and in his prime, would be looking to be replaced in 2-3 years time when Højlund would be 23 and ready to be first choice), stylistically a great fit, and would count towards our homegrown quota.
The real challenge is can we get him for less than 50m, as we really can't afford to be spending more than that. Not when we need a couple of CB's, at least one midfielder, and probably a LB as well.
13 Apr 2024 11:11:31
Won't be a concern for eth he won't be our manager hopefully.
13 Apr 2024 11:27:18
Ahmad.
It wouldn’t matter if Hoijlund was making good runs. Our wingers would not get the ball to him.
We would make a lot of top strikers look rubbish with current tactics.
The only way Hoijlund will improve is with service. Until he starts to get it can he improve his timing.
Yes he is raw but we ain’t helping him at all.
13 Apr 2024 15:39:39
Tumbleweed
If ETH is there or isn't next season we still need a striker, would also like to see Mitoma on our left wing and cash in on Rashford.
For me Toney and Mitoma are the types of player we need to be getting in both will run for ever and close down.
14 Apr 2024 00:17:08
No value in the market, reinstate Mason ?.