| Do we need another striker before the window closes? 00:44 - Aug 30 with 16091 views | Hoopsie |
I am not pressing the panic button yet but none of our strikers have scored 3 games in
Mind we are playing well but in the final third our strikers were found wanting, asking all the questions but no answer
Is it a concern? Bolton match seems to suggest that, we had plenty of opportunities but couldn’t put the ball in the net
With Kolli out of favour and Obikwu years away?
A premier league loan maybe? |  |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 09:47 - Aug 31 with 2884 views | 1JD |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 20:32 - Aug 30 by nix |
Look I just think he’s not ready for the Championship. Do I think he’s got more potential long term than Lloyd? Almost certainly. I just think he needs a loan, even for half a season. I don’t think Lloyd would improve much more with another loan but I think Kolli would.
Do I think Lloyd is more useful at the current time from the bench because of his availability and his usefulness at the end of matches? Yes I do. Do I think Kolli is more likely to score than Lloyd? Yes I do. But that’s not the only thing you need. I always thought Andre Gray was a liability despite his goals because of his (lack of an) all round game.
It’s fine if you disagree though. It’s just opinions. |
If we are talking about lack of all round game, then that applies to Kone.
Kones main strength is his finishing ability. But touch, technique, hold up game, running, acceleration, are all limited and a long way off where they need to be at this level.
I’d even go as far to say Kelman, who we effectively swapped, and who was also a different type of striker, but also a “finisher”, has a better all round game that Kone. |  | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 12:29 - Aug 31 with 2612 views | terryb |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 19:02 - Aug 30 by Bukim_Dano |
Have we got the headroom to sign anyone else? As far as I can see we still have 26 players in our first team squad:
3 goalies: Charles. Ward. Salamon.
9 defenders: Adamson. Dunn. Morrison. Edwards. JCS. Kemper. Cirkin. Mbengue. Lamptey
9 midfielders: Dembele. Chair. Smyth. Saito. Poku. Kamara. Vale. Madson. Varane.
5 forwards: Lloyd. Burrell. Kone. Obikwu. Kolli.
Since we are only allowed to have 25 in the first team squad somebody else is going to have to be sold or go on loan anyway within the next 24 hours - presumably out of Morrison/Varane/Kolli. We will have to lose 2 if we are to get anyone else in. |
Will Dembele be named in the 25 up to the New Year?
There is no point in doing so if he won't be able to play before January, but I don't know when he is scheduled to return to playing. | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 12:46 - Aug 31 with 2550 views | nix |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 09:47 - Aug 31 by 1JD |
If we are talking about lack of all round game, then that applies to Kone.
Kones main strength is his finishing ability. But touch, technique, hold up game, running, acceleration, are all limited and a long way off where they need to be at this level.
I’d even go as far to say Kelman, who we effectively swapped, and who was also a different type of striker, but also a “finisher”, has a better all round game that Kone. |
I’m not talking about touch, running and acceleration, which I would agree with you about although I wouldn’t say Kolli has tremendous pace or acceleration either and holding the ball up is also part of the game he needs to improve. Kone’s game is not about pace and acceleration so it’s pointless expecting that from him. He could improve his touch and his guile in the box certainly.
My point was not about attacking it was about contributing outside of that which I thought was obvious from my comment about Andre Gray. The pressing. The winning the ball. The bringing other players into the game. The roughing up defenders and making their lives difficult. You clearly don’t rate Kone and that’s fine. As I say it’s all about opinions but I think Kone works hard off the ball more than both Kolli and Kelman and makes chances for others. Admittedly he hasn’t had a good match this season particularly but I certainly saw he regularly made a contribution to the team overall last season. Ten goals and two assists last season, plus seven big chances created is more than any player for several years so he isn’t exactly cr*p, is he?
And no way would I swap Kelman for Kone. The last thing we need is another small forward, especially tracking back and defending corners. And I think he’ll get us at least ten more goals this season.
I admittedly do tend to look at off the ball contributions more than most on here, and never really got the disdain for Luongo, had more time for Dykes than others and didn’t like Gray’s overall game, hence the difference in opinions possibly. |  | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:21 - Aug 31 with 2461 views | 1JD |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 12:46 - Aug 31 by nix |
I’m not talking about touch, running and acceleration, which I would agree with you about although I wouldn’t say Kolli has tremendous pace or acceleration either and holding the ball up is also part of the game he needs to improve. Kone’s game is not about pace and acceleration so it’s pointless expecting that from him. He could improve his touch and his guile in the box certainly.
My point was not about attacking it was about contributing outside of that which I thought was obvious from my comment about Andre Gray. The pressing. The winning the ball. The bringing other players into the game. The roughing up defenders and making their lives difficult. You clearly don’t rate Kone and that’s fine. As I say it’s all about opinions but I think Kone works hard off the ball more than both Kolli and Kelman and makes chances for others. Admittedly he hasn’t had a good match this season particularly but I certainly saw he regularly made a contribution to the team overall last season. Ten goals and two assists last season, plus seven big chances created is more than any player for several years so he isn’t exactly cr*p, is he?
And no way would I swap Kelman for Kone. The last thing we need is another small forward, especially tracking back and defending corners. And I think he’ll get us at least ten more goals this season.
I admittedly do tend to look at off the ball contributions more than most on here, and never really got the disdain for Luongo, had more time for Dykes than others and didn’t like Gray’s overall game, hence the difference in opinions possibly. |
To be clear, I never said Kone was “crap”.
The reality is he is a 1 in 4 goals man at championship level at this point. But as I keep saying, even Lyndon Dykes hit those numbers with us, and I don’t see that changing with Kone. Too many deficiencies in his game, and a number of similarities to Dykes in fact.
Poor touch, erratic hold up game, spring to mind. Dykes could also “ruffle up” champ defenders, but that doesn’t matter much if you can’t bring the ball down and play in your team mates consistently. Kone loses it with alarming regularity and includes all of last season.
I’ve got Kone down as a reasonable marksman who gets you 8-12 a season, like a Dykes type. Perhaps that changes as age is on his side, but he’s lacking a lot in his all round game. If he isn’t scoring, he’s contributing very little.
As for Kolli, for me has far more natural talent and a far higher ceiling. Floats in and out of games yes, but has only just hit 20 games equivalent at championship level. Thats nothing.
He needs a run like Kone was afforded last season - 40 games - game after game. His fitness however is the real issue and hopefully that can change and improve. | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:29 - Aug 31 with 2424 views | gazza1 |
I have read this thread, a lot of good stuff but also a lot of nonsense about some of our forwards capabilities, etc, etc.
The forwards that we have are OK at best.......
Kone, very limited technically very poor indeed. Passing, Controlling the ball, dribbling past players. Scores, or has scored, a few goals and taken them well but he really has to do better when given decent goalscoring chances. His is just about OK.
Lloyd, much of what is above for Kone regarding technical play but fails to score many goals.
Obikwu, who knows because I have never seen him play.
Kolli, lightweight, better technically than most other forwards, very average defensively, can & has scored a couple of decent goals, attitude generally is questionable, apparently issues off the pitch. Not good enough overall & will be gone soon if we can get him out.
Burrell, another who is technically average, got good pace (very important), scores decent goals, helps the team a lot. Just about good enough to be our best forward.
YES, we need a striker, 100% and then you are talking about a good, good season. | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:42 - Aug 31 with 2373 views | Third_Division_South |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:56 - Aug 31 with 2322 views | gazza1 |
Excellent news....but will he go?? | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:02 - Aug 31 with 2300 views | dmm |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:56 - Aug 31 by gazza1 |
Excellent news....but will he go?? |
If he does go, I do hope it's not to Stoke. Probably the most uninspiring club in the league. |  | | |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:22 - Aug 31 with 2219 views | Lblock |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:02 - Aug 31 by dmm |
If he does go, I do hope it's not to Stoke. Probably the most uninspiring club in the league. |
I disagree.
If he does go I hope it's to Sjoke.
That's a club who will pay over the odds and failure is almost certain.
I'd sooner see Rayan go overseas as I'd hate to see him prosper at an EFL rival. |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:43 - Aug 31 with 2116 views | Stainrod |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:22 - Aug 31 by Lblock |
I disagree.
If he does go I hope it's to Sjoke.
That's a club who will pay over the odds and failure is almost certain.
I'd sooner see Rayan go overseas as I'd hate to see him prosper at an EFL rival. |
Not good enough for our bench but apparently good enough for Stoke and Brum.
And given he has been frozen out, will we get a decent price?
Oh well, we have Lloyd and his 3 career goals… | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:43 - Aug 31 with 2114 views | dmm |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:22 - Aug 31 by Lblock |
I disagree.
If he does go I hope it's to Sjoke.
That's a club who will pay over the odds and failure is almost certain.
I'd sooner see Rayan go overseas as I'd hate to see him prosper at an EFL rival. |
I understand the points you but I like the lad and would hate to see him sink into that particular mire. I agree though that a move abroad would be best. | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:46 - Aug 31 with 2102 views | cheeseydane |
Reading this thread has tempered my current optimism a tad. It is clear we do need an out and out proven striker if we are serious about the playoffs this year. Theres gotta be someone unhappy at their club, who's quality, wants a change, family have a strong connection with the Rs, wants to play in London.
Well, it worked last year. 🤷♂️ |  |
| Technology advances, unfortunately humans do not. |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:14 - Aug 31 with 2021 views | Logman |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:29 - Aug 31 by gazza1 |
I have read this thread, a lot of good stuff but also a lot of nonsense about some of our forwards capabilities, etc, etc.
The forwards that we have are OK at best.......
Kone, very limited technically very poor indeed. Passing, Controlling the ball, dribbling past players. Scores, or has scored, a few goals and taken them well but he really has to do better when given decent goalscoring chances. His is just about OK.
Lloyd, much of what is above for Kone regarding technical play but fails to score many goals.
Obikwu, who knows because I have never seen him play.
Kolli, lightweight, better technically than most other forwards, very average defensively, can & has scored a couple of decent goals, attitude generally is questionable, apparently issues off the pitch. Not good enough overall & will be gone soon if we can get him out.
Burrell, another who is technically average, got good pace (very important), scores decent goals, helps the team a lot. Just about good enough to be our best forward.
YES, we need a striker, 100% and then you are talking about a good, good season. |
I think it's unlikely that we're going to get a striker who has all the attributes - pace, power and skill. They are a rare commodity (even at the top level) and those that there are are going to be snapped up. My preference would be a striker with good close control which is what we need in the first half when games are tight - plus we have a few players with pace like Burrell, Smyth and Lloyd to run onto chances. Given what we have got I'd be happy with a Devt Squad loanee in from a Prem club. We keep on signing the same players for the Devt Squad - small technical players or controlling ball-playing midfielders. We've only got Ridwan Hassan left as a centre forward in the Devt Squad. We should have held onto Daniel Bennie in my opinion. I know he hasn't set the Scottish Premiership alight yet but sometimes young players need to feel comfortable with their surroundings and he used to be a good weapon to throw on against a tiring defence. [Post edited 31 Aug 15:15]
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:33 - Aug 31 with 1971 views | gazza1 |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:14 - Aug 31 by Logman |
I think it's unlikely that we're going to get a striker who has all the attributes - pace, power and skill. They are a rare commodity (even at the top level) and those that there are are going to be snapped up. My preference would be a striker with good close control which is what we need in the first half when games are tight - plus we have a few players with pace like Burrell, Smyth and Lloyd to run onto chances. Given what we have got I'd be happy with a Devt Squad loanee in from a Prem club. We keep on signing the same players for the Devt Squad - small technical players or controlling ball-playing midfielders. We've only got Ridwan Hassan left as a centre forward in the Devt Squad. We should have held onto Daniel Bennie in my opinion. I know he hasn't set the Scottish Premiership alight yet but sometimes young players need to feel comfortable with their surroundings and he used to be a good weapon to throw on against a tiring defence. [Post edited 31 Aug 15:15]
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I suppose I am being optimistic but I do not expect professionals to be so limited technically controlling the ball and passing the ball (on Saturday Kone had an easy pass wide in the 1st half(??) and could not find the wide player with such a simple pass to give us a very dangerous attack!!!!).........there is no need for anyone to concern themselves about Kolli - he is not good enough. Re Bennie, he is not good enough yet and may never be. I do'nt know about the Dev Squad players. [Post edited 31 Aug 15:34]
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:46 - Aug 31 with 1918 views | kensalriser |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:29 - Aug 31 by gazza1 |
I have read this thread, a lot of good stuff but also a lot of nonsense about some of our forwards capabilities, etc, etc.
The forwards that we have are OK at best.......
Kone, very limited technically very poor indeed. Passing, Controlling the ball, dribbling past players. Scores, or has scored, a few goals and taken them well but he really has to do better when given decent goalscoring chances. His is just about OK.
Lloyd, much of what is above for Kone regarding technical play but fails to score many goals.
Obikwu, who knows because I have never seen him play.
Kolli, lightweight, better technically than most other forwards, very average defensively, can & has scored a couple of decent goals, attitude generally is questionable, apparently issues off the pitch. Not good enough overall & will be gone soon if we can get him out.
Burrell, another who is technically average, got good pace (very important), scores decent goals, helps the team a lot. Just about good enough to be our best forward.
YES, we need a striker, 100% and then you are talking about a good, good season. |
Harsh, but not far off the mark as regards Kone and Burrell. But both are some way below their best form, so there is at least some upside. |  |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:49 - Aug 31 with 1901 views | connell10 |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 09:22 - Aug 31 by francisbowles |
It is a great asset but it's not the only thing necessary to be in the match day squad.
Who is currently the better contributor to the team?
Kolli is a very skillful footballer and goalscorer but has always struggled with his fitness and is currently injured.
Alfie is a hard working and quick forward who makes a good contribution to the gameplay when he is used. |
But he doesn't score goals. |  |
| AND WHEN I DREAM , I DREAM ABOUT YOU AND WHEN I SCREAM I SCREAM ABOUT YOU!!!!! | | Poll: | best number 10 ever? |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 22:17 - Aug 31 with 1516 views | wombat |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:49 - Aug 31 by connell10 |
But he doesn't score goals. |
He dosnt thats the but the work he puts in helps others get the space they need to score goals , not idea but it’s th best we have at the moment. , soon as he came in yesterday Burrell had more space to work in he also had a couple of half chances blocked when he came in , I’d rather see him not scoring than Kolli watching the game pass by |  |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 22:35 - Aug 31 with 1471 views | connell10 |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 22:17 - Aug 31 by wombat |
He dosnt thats the but the work he puts in helps others get the space they need to score goals , not idea but it’s th best we have at the moment. , soon as he came in yesterday Burrell had more space to work in he also had a couple of half chances blocked when he came in , I’d rather see him not scoring than Kolli watching the game pass by |
Kolli has a much better goal ratio. Lloyd is a non scoring forward whats the point? | |
| AND WHEN I DREAM , I DREAM ABOUT YOU AND WHEN I SCREAM I SCREAM ABOUT YOU!!!!! | | Poll: | best number 10 ever? |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 23:40 - Aug 31 with 1354 views | ViewFrom165 |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 13:21 - Aug 31 by 1JD |
To be clear, I never said Kone was “crap”.
The reality is he is a 1 in 4 goals man at championship level at this point. But as I keep saying, even Lyndon Dykes hit those numbers with us, and I don’t see that changing with Kone. Too many deficiencies in his game, and a number of similarities to Dykes in fact.
Poor touch, erratic hold up game, spring to mind. Dykes could also “ruffle up” champ defenders, but that doesn’t matter much if you can’t bring the ball down and play in your team mates consistently. Kone loses it with alarming regularity and includes all of last season.
I’ve got Kone down as a reasonable marksman who gets you 8-12 a season, like a Dykes type. Perhaps that changes as age is on his side, but he’s lacking a lot in his all round game. If he isn’t scoring, he’s contributing very little.
As for Kolli, for me has far more natural talent and a far higher ceiling. Floats in and out of games yes, but has only just hit 20 games equivalent at championship level. Thats nothing.
He needs a run like Kone was afforded last season - 40 games - game after game. His fitness however is the real issue and hopefully that can change and improve. |
Pretty much as I see it aswell re both Kone and Kolli.
I think Kone is often misprofiled on what kind of Striker he actually is because of his frame and stature. He is far from a target man/link up player because of his inability to do the basics on the ball, and he gets bullied too often both in the air and when the ball goes in to his feet. I also think it's a myth that he's a hard worker off the ball, he only presses when he loses possession because of a poor touch or pass, and rarely chases lost causes.
Based on the majority of the Goals he scored last season he's an 18 and 6 yard box player and should be utilised as such, keep him far away from any build up and let him operate in his domain and he will score (Bolton game aside). He's also very slow but good movement can make up for a lack of pace which he has but can still be improved upon. Overall I'm a fan of his and think he is an ongoing project rather than the finished article and should be viewed as such. His appearances so far this season have been a concern though, he looks so unfit and his body language has been off, which ironically is what Kolli gets accused of....! Needs to fix up!
For me Kolli is the most complete Striker profile we have but due to injuries/conditioning and ongoing rumoured politics it seems like the Club are wrongly wiping their hands with him instead of persevering with his development. He's scored one less Championship Goal (9 + 3 assists) than Kone and Burrell (10 + 2 assists for RK, 10 + 4 assists for RB) in way less game time and should be fighting it out with them to be first choice. He can also play wide to way more affect than Burrell/Lloyd due to his technical ability and would be another good option off the left with Saito and Smyth.
Burrell has shown a lot of improvement in his link up play so far this season which is encouraging, haven't got any stats to back this up but felt like he won alot of flick ons Saturday as well. I think he actually plays better when Kone isn't on the pitch, just seems like he knows where to be when he's up top on his own. Hasn't found himself in many goalscoring positions in the opening few games but the work he can do stretching defences in behind and moving wide has been creating more space for the players behind him which is working to good effect.
Surprised Lloyd got a new deal but I think he does have a role to play this season as seen at Portsmouth and Blackburn, if he's content with being a game closer then he's a good option to have.
Obikwu still don't know anything about at this level.
In summary and to answer OP's original question, I don't think we do need another Striker atm if all 5 of the current ones stay and stay injury free, albeit I think they will be fighting it out for one spot as we look stronger in a 433 IMO. They can all be utilised differently against varying opposition and in different game states, and it's important to have those options off the bench to adjust accordingly. |  | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 00:07 - Sep 1 with 1306 views | Stainrod |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 22:17 - Aug 31 by wombat |
He dosnt thats the but the work he puts in helps others get the space they need to score goals , not idea but it’s th best we have at the moment. , soon as he came in yesterday Burrell had more space to work in he also had a couple of half chances blocked when he came in , I’d rather see him not scoring than Kolli watching the game pass by |
Please point to an example where he has created space for someone else to score? | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 00:54 - Sep 1 with 1249 views | Boston |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 14:02 - Aug 31 by dmm |
If he does go, I do hope it's not to Stoke. Probably the most uninspiring club in the league. |
Probably make his hair stand on end. | |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 06:23 - Sep 1 with 1044 views | NorthantsHoop |
All a bit of a strange situation with Kolli, think he would be really good at Birmingham, may get a lot more from him than us, if we are to believe that his time is up with QPR. |  | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 07:26 - Sep 1 with 956 views | Gloucs_R |
Kolli going to any other club in England would be a real kick in the balls.
I have no idea what goes happens off the pitch but I like the lad when he's on it. Felt like he's been mismanaged for a very long time which is a real shame.
Personally think he's our third choice striker at this moment in time.
We desperately need to see what qualities
Obikwu have. Unless they are planning to bring in another striker.
Lloyd is nowhere near championship standard at the moment.
How much would we get for Kolli? £2.5m plus add-ons?? |  |
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| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 08:15 - Sep 1 with 842 views | Burnleyhoop |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 15:21 - Aug 30 by connell10 |
Kolli is a lot better striker than Lloyd, its plainly obvious. |
Irrelevant if he is never fit to play.
The key metric for any genuine success this year is availability. Kolli has been here for years and we have barely seen him play. Utterly pointless, even if he does have a quality shot in his locker. | | | |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 08:53 - Sep 1 with 759 views | Gloucs_R |
| Do we need another striker before the window closes? on 08:15 - Sep 1 by Burnleyhoop |
Irrelevant if he is never fit to play.
The key metric for any genuine success this year is availability. Kolli has been here for years and we have barely seen him play. Utterly pointless, even if he does have a quality shot in his locker. |
Not fit to play or just not selected? | |
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