4 Strikers

sammsky1

Pochettino's #1 fan
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
32,841
Location
London
LVG said in yesterdays Champions League press conference that aside from Rooney, he also has Hernandez, Wilson and Januzaj as strikers. Remember also how he specifically said he saw Januzaj as a striker when he joined us as manager last year. Also LVGs acquisition of Depay and (soon to be) Pedro strongly indicates that he does not see Januzaj on the wings, else why acquire 2 wide players?

There has been a lot of speculation that we need another striker and about SAFs policy of rotating 4 strikers. With LVG's history of young player development, are the four above his four strikers and he is anticipating Wilson and Januzaj to have 'break out' seasons this year? That would explain why we have net yet invested in a more experienced striker as many have suggested that we need.

We really would set European football buzzing with admiration if these two could get 15+ goals each this season - it would solve our goal scoring needs for many years to come!
 
Last edited:
If Januzaj counts, does Depay not?
 
When you play with 1 striker, you don't need 4 though. 3 strikers with a decent injury record should be sufficient.
 
ForlansHair said:
I think if we were to sign another striker then Hernandez would be binned. I'd be astonished if Wilson and Januzaj managed 15 between them, let alone each.
Click to expand...
Yeah, a good total would be 30-40 between the whole set of strikers I think. Rooney around 20, then the others getting around 5 each probably. More likely is Memphis, mata and Pedro when he comes all to get between 10-15 goals.
 
I know it might be blasphemous to say but I kind of hope we don't bring any new players in. I want to see our players grow, struggle and get chance after chance for 1 whole year. It would mean LVG would have to count on them and maybe it might bring the team tighter and we find a truly cohesive playing style that everyone is comfortable with.

Let's play the kids I say. Bringing in another striker/centre back might bring delusions of grandeur and we may struggle with that pressure to perform whilst still learning even more new team mates and trying to adjust to the 'process'. If we get top 4, any 'hurt' of not achieving more would be more fuel for the fire for LVG's 3rd year. The foundation is strong already within this squad, adding more is just because we can and that adds another set of problems imo.
 
IgnorantLobster said:
If Januzaj counts, does Depay not?
Click to expand...

No, in the sense that LVG seems to want to convert Januzaj into an out and out striker.

Thats what he has now said several times, and makes sense to me in that he allowed Falcao and RVP to leave without replacement.
 
ForlansHair said:
I think if we were to sign another striker then Hernandez would be binned. I'd be astonished if Wilson and Januzaj managed 15 between them, let alone each.
Click to expand...

Assuming we qualify for Champions League and make it to 1/4 finals in that and the FA and league cups - thats 60 odd games - plenty of game time for 4 strikers.

As long as they get enough game time, I don't see why not. Remember back to Solskjaer's 1st season at the club - he scored plenty at a very young age.
 
criticalanalysis said:
I know it might be blasphemous to say but I kind of hope we don't bring any new players in. I want to see our players grow, struggle and get chance after chance for 1 whole year. It would mean LVG would have to count on them and maybe it might bring the team tighter and we find a truly cohesive playing style that everyone is comfortable with.

Let's play the kids I say. Bringing in another striker/centre back might bring delusions of grandeur and we may struggle with that pressure to perform whilst still learning even more new team mates and trying to adjust to the 'process'. If we get top 4, any 'hurt' of not achieving more would be more fuel for the fire for LVG's 3rd year. The foundation is strong already within this squad, adding more is just because we can and that adds another set of problems imo.
Click to expand...


I agree with you. Im not expecting us to win the league this year, I'd like us too, but I think its unrealistic. So as long as we finish top 3, Im fine.

In that context, Id much prefer some younger homegrown talent gets sufficient exposure so we can mount a proper real challenge next season.
 
Speak said:
You actually see that happening?
Click to expand...

We have all said Januzaj has potential, and Wilson has done amazing well scoring goals in our junior teams. Once we get our midfield play and wing play in sync - and so start to create enough chances, we simply need our lone striker to convert.

It's my hopeful and optimistic view of the future - and my guess of LVG's thinking. Else Why allow Falcao and RVP leave and not replace them! Maybe its bit like when SAF let Hughes, Ince and KanKan leave all at the same time and allowed the 'class of 95' to replace them. Maybe thats what LVG has in mind.

Yes its all speculation, but given our huge investments in new players, the absence of signing a proven and expensive new striker must have significance in LVGs plans.
 
Fellaini is the fifth. Actually expect him to be second choice as some point this season.
 
ForlansHair said:
I think if we were to sign another striker then Hernandez would be binned. I'd be astonished if Wilson and Januzaj managed 15 between them, let alone each.
Click to expand...

Januzaj already scored more than anyone else if you count pre-season.They will score enough if they play more regularly, which probably won't be the case.

Our problem is not the number of strikers.Our problem is our main striker is shit.
 
Last edited:
Still not convinced that the four we have will be enough. LVG may see Januzaj as a striker, but thus far he remains largely unproven in that role. If we're going with Rooney as the main man up top, then it's unlikely Januzaj's going to get that much time as a striker - it's a lot more likely he'll function in behind the striker or on the wings, since it's likely LVG's going to give him plenty of playing time this season.

Wilson's another who remains entirely unproven. Hernandez is a decent option and should be reliable for some goals, but I expect he's going to largely be coming off the bench unless Rooney gets an injury or performs terribly.
 
sammsky1 said:
Assuming we qualify for Champions League and make it to 1/4 finals in that and the FA and league cups - thats 60 odd games - plenty of game time for 4 strikers.

As long as they get enough game time, I don't see why not. Remember back to Solskjaer's 1st season at the club - he scored plenty at a very young age.
Click to expand...

I don't think Wilson and Januzaj have scored 15 professional goals between them. Wilson will be lucky to play 15 games this season with only 1 up front, assuming Hernandez is first in line to replace Rooney. Something more realistic IMO is 5 for Januzaj and 3 for Wilson, given I expect them to barely play up front.

khoazany said:
Januzaj already scored more than anyone else if you count pre-season.They will score enough if they play more regularly, which probably won't be the case.

Our problem is not the number of strikers.Our problem is our main striker is shit.
Click to expand...

There's a lack of quality among our strikers. Enough has been said about Rooney. Hernandez is fine for the role he's expected to play. Wilson looks too raw and I'd have preferred him to go out on loan this season while Januzaj would be playing a completely new position. Just can't see enough goals in the quartet.
 
I think that LVG will be playing with a lone striker upfront and an attacking midfielder at his back. Rooney, Hernandez and Wilson will cover the former role while Januzaj, Mata, Fellaini and Perriera will cover the latter role. He will also hope that his flank men will score a lot of goals (Depay and Pedro). Its one hell of a risk though.
 
Rooney is off form and if he was to be injured, we have Hernandez and Wilson as back up. Against the top teams, that's far from good enough. I really like Januzaj but that's work in progress
 
IwatUwat said:
Valid and this is an issue.

Unless we think Rooney and Hernandez will both get 20 each
Click to expand...

I'd be amazed if Rooney hit 20, let alone Hernandez.

We don't have enough goals in this side, unless we win a lot of games 1-0 I can see us struggling.
 
I think numbers wise we are well stocked up front especially when Pedro comes in. I just worry about the quality a bit.

Rooney is struggling and goals wise I don't think can carry the team. Hernandez is a decent back up and Wilson we don't really know what we are going to get.

Januzaj has not played striker before this season so that's a concern. And I really don't think his style of play is suited to the way LVG wants his striker to operate. Maybe I'll be proved pleasantly wrong but I can't see it.

We do also have Memphis who can play up top of injuries really hit us and Pedro can play as well false 9!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.