do we really need 4 strikers?

[Blue Since 76]

Not really random though is it? Goatee even said in his book that he figured out he was being booed because city fans saw a lack of effort. He then upped his work rate, combine that with his goals and he was a cult hero.

Nobody stopping Dzeko breaking into a light jog once in a while.

Exactly - if someone mentions Goater, you don't immediately think lazy, mard arsed bastard. Dzeko's goal per minute ratio will stand up with any City striker, but that's unlikely to be how he's remembered. Improving your goal rate is difficult, putting the effort in isn't. To make it worse, he hasn't even got Mario to be compared favourably against anymore.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Dzeko's supposed laziness gets exaggarated as well. He has always been opportunistic striker whose thing is to be at the right place at the right time. If he was headlessly running after every ball Tevez style he would never be there for those tap ins. That's simply not his game.

I get that people want better striker but it's the venom that's baffling. He REALLY is not as bad as some claim him to be while not maybe world class either. Bit like Edghill.

Re:the original question, we consistently play two up front. If we'd have only three strikers only one injury would immediately either tie Engineers hands or force him to change tactics. What we need is four genuine quality strikers and fifth youngster who can do something in case of emergency. We play roughly 60 games every (good) year.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Dzeko's supposed laziness gets exaggarated as well. He has always been opportunistic striker whose thing is to be at the right place at the right time. If he was headlessly running after every ball Tevez style he would never be there for those tap ins. That's simply not his game. I get that people want better striker but it's the venom that's baffling. He REALLY is not as bad as some claim him to be while not maybe world class either. Bit like Edghill. Re:the original question, we consistently play two up front. If we'd have only three strikers only one injury would immediately either tie Engineers hands or force him to change tactics. What we need is four genuine quality strikers and fifth youngster who can do something in case of emergency. We play roughly 60 games every (good) year.

effort is more than just chasing down though.

Would you say he gives it all at say, link up play, finding the passing lanes or even ball retention?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Dzeko's supposed laziness gets exaggarated as well. He has always been opportunistic striker whose thing is to be at the right place at the right time. If he was headlessly running after every ball Tevez style he would never be there for those tap ins. That's simply not his game. I get that people want better striker but it's the venom that's baffling. He REALLY is not as bad as some claim him to be while not maybe world class either. Bit like Edghill. Re:the original question, we consistently play two up front. If we'd have only three strikers only one injury would immediately either tie Engineers hands or force him to change tactics. What we need is four genuine quality strikers and fifth youngster who can do something in case of emergency. We play roughly 60 games every (good) year.

effort is more than just chasing down though.

Would you say he gives it all at say, link up play, finding the passing lanes or even ball retention?

Look, just to get this straight, I'm no Dzeko fanboy. For better or for worse, he is what he is and should be taken as such. The kind of venom he gets though is laughable. He isn't even half as bad as you'd think by reading this site.

Does he give his all in those situations? Hmmmm.... I think people are looking this the wrong way. Are those part of his game or stuff he is looking to do would be better question. Those might be part of Tevez' and Aguero's (piss funny when my boy calls him Aku-eeeero btw, makes me laugh just thinking about it) game who seem to be the yardstick here. Like I said, he is an opportunistic guy. Rather than trying to create chances he is looking to be in right place to score himself. And that he does quite well. He is like big Pippo Inzaghi, as a footballer he is lacking but as a goalscorer he is fantastic.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Cry me a river you spastic.

spastic? Thats not politically correct is it. Ever thought there might be people on here who have disabled relative and you go and use terminology like that, scummy as fuck you are.

For what it's worth we used to have one well respected poster who was in that situation and felt offended by the word. Doesn't post much anymore and I've been guilty of it as well but just to mention.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Look, just to get this straight, I'm no Dzeko fanboy. For better or for worse, he is what he is and should be taken as such. The kind of venom he gets though is laughable. He isn't even half as bad as you'd think by reading this site. Does he give his all in those situations? Hmmmm.... I think people are looking this the wrong way. Are those part of his game or stuff he is looking to do would be better question. Those might be part of Tevez' and Aguero's (piss funny when my boy calls him Aku-eeeero btw, makes me laugh just thinking about it) game who seem to be the yardstick here. Like I said, he is an opportunistic guy. Rather than trying to create chances he is looking to be in right place to score himself. And that he does quite well. He is like big Pippo Inzaghi, as a footballer he is lacking but as a goalscorer he is fantastic.

Agreed.

I don't think he's horrible, but his obvious disgust at his situation with zero attempt to take any of the responsibly for it will push people's noses out of joint a bit, hence the far fetched slanging.

As far as poaching goes, I've coached quite a few goal poachers in my time and my comments to them are that a poached will only be highly successful in a team with the majority of possession. Help us keep it or the spot won't be there for you.

[phips]

yup. our lack of goal threat in the Stoke, Bayern, and Chelsea matches is worrying.

[Moonchesteri]

HOW THE FUCK IS FABREGAS NOT BOOKED?! AGAIN!

Oops.wrong thread

[PeterParker]

HOW THE FUCK IS FABREGAS NOT BOOKED?! AGAIN!

Oops.wrong thread

Fucking Lescott.

[Clowncrete]

yup. our lack of goal threat in the Stoke, Bayern, and Chelsea matches is worrying.

We need a direct pacy winger in the Shurrle/Hazard mould. There are times when Nasri and Silva just can't open defenses and keep passing sideways. Our counter-attacks are also slow and terrible. A young Bellamy would be amazing.

[MilnersJaw]

yup. our lack of goal threat in the Stoke, Bayern, and Chelsea matches is worrying.

We were playing 2 strikers today. It wasn't a case we didn't have enough.

[phips]

yup. our lack of goal threat in the Stoke, Bayern, and Chelsea matches is worrying.

We were playing 2 strikers today. It wasn't a case we didn't have enough.

thats exactly my point. we played 2 and offered no goal threat until Lampard scored.

relying on goals from midfield, like Yaya's contribution last season, is folly.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

I don't think the number of strikers is the issue, but we certainly don't seem to be making clear cut chances for them at the moment. It is a bit of a concern that our goal-scoring has dropped off, with only 2 in four games, one from a corner. Ironic that is the case just when with Vinnie, Mangala and the two Ferns we can put out a really solid defence if we wish.

Jojo's directness is a good alternative for us, so it's been a real loss to have him injured for the last three tough matches. We were far better than Chelsea for all but the five minutes after Zabba's card today, but the number of shots on/off target was disappointing, as were the corners. Most of the balls to Dzeko were just the wrong side of him and we couldn't get Aguero clear. We will get it sorted I'm sure, but it has cost us some important results already (as have officials, but those we can't sort alone!).

[Slim]

To answer the OP's question, when have we actually had 4 strikers?