4 into 1 doesn't go

[Hoowl]

Berbatov, Keane, Defoe and Bent. 2 from 4. Those were the days. The best strikeforce in the EPL. But how were we going to keep them all happy? We didn't. Despite having a ratio of two players for each position, Defoe decided he wasn't getting enough game time and declined a new contract leading to a transfer to Pourtsmouth. Then United and Liverpool came in for Berbatov and Keane and the rest is history.

So we come to the start of this season and we have Crouch, Keane, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko. 2 from 4. Not the best strikeforce in the EPL and how are we going to keep them all happy? And then we sign van der Vaart...

The irony of signing vdV is that he increases the need for another striker but decreases the number of stiker positions we have available on the pitch. vdV is almost a guranteed starter when fit so there is only one slot available. We have four strikers battling for this one slot, and yet none of them really flourish in this role! None of them have the assets to lead the line and get enough goals.

4 into 1 doesn't go and there is no way we can keep them all happy. So we need to sign a striker whilst simultaneously reducing the number of strikers on our books.

Harry still loves Defoe and Crouch but neither of them fit into the new formation we've adopted. I can't see either of them going during this window but if Harry is dead set on 451, or 441 with vdV doing whatever he likes, he may have to get rid of one of them in the long term.

With Keane no longer offering anything in Harrys eyes (on the pitch anyway) I suspect we'd sell/loan him withouth being concerned about a replacement. I don't think the same about Paylvuchenko though. If we wanted to sign someone he'd have to go and, conversely, if we wanted to sell him, we'd have to bring someone in.

All this leave me to conclude that I'm really not sure we'll be able to bring in a striker this Jan. We'd have to shift Pavlyuchenko (finding someone to meet our valualtion could be tricky), find a stiker who fits the lone forward role and is of the required quality and whose clubs are willing to sell half way through a season.

 

[EastLondonYid]

So long as we have VDV, we don't need 4 strikers,and certainly not 4 of the calibre we have.
At the moment we are better off keeping crouch and defoe ,plus adding a truly top top world class striker, allowing us to unload pav and keane...

 

[defoe18]

I believe vdv can work in a 4-4-2...one day

 

[brett.spurs]

2 or 3 + VDV is fine.

 

[rockyhotspur]

Surely it is 5 into 2 i.e. any combination of 4 strikers and VDV as Rafa wont be available for every game.

 

[Azrael]

Levy will almost certainly want to shift Pav before spending. But where this was wise in the past, this time it is a mistake. This is a crucial window and a top striker is the utmost priority, even if it leaves a non-playing Pav on our books until May.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It's obvious we are looking to shift Pav and Keane IMO. Anyhow we are at the squad limit so more people need to realise whateve happens players will have to be moved on before we even consider bringing in a striker.

 

[mil1lion]

I'd like better options up front.

VDV is the number 10 who plays in the hole, but can also play in from the wing.

The 3 strikers are purely of one style each. I think this is the main reason before VDV arrived that we always had to go 4-4-2. Neither striker could play effectively in a 1, while neither could play wide in a 4-3-3.

Even when we had Berbatov, Keane, Defoe and Bent, we didn't have a great deal of variety. Berbatov and Keane were great because each could drop back and link with play. Bent and Defoe seemed a bit too similar in style and can only really play 1 role in the team.

I like Defoe in the squad and I think he's our best striker. So I would keep him. Keane is pretty much a write off and I see VDV as his replacement. I agree that we cant keep 4 strikers + VDV happy, so I would be happy to see us replace Crouch and Pav in the long run.

I'd replace Crouch with a more complete striker. Someone who works hard for the team like Crouch but is more productive in the final 3rd with better technique.

I'd replace Pav with a more versatile striker. I'd like us to have the option to change formation, so someone who could play as a wide attacker.

For example... VDV, Defoe, Suarez and Kalinic would give us better options all round. Kalinic can play as a lone striker, Suarez can play in a 2 or as a wide striker, Defoe can play alongside either I think.

 

[brendanb50]

I'd like better options up front.

VDV is the number 10 who plays in the hole, but can also play in from the wing.

The 3 strikers are purely of one style each. I think this is the main reason before VDV arrived that we always had to go 4-4-2. Neither striker could play effectively in a 1, while neither could play wide in a 4-3-3.

Even when we had Berbatov, Keane, Defoe and Bent, we didn't have a great deal of variety. Berbatov and Keane were great because each could drop back and link with play. Bent and Defoe seemed a bit too similar in style and can only really play 1 role in the team.

I like Defoe in the squad and I think he's our best striker. So I would keep him. Keane is pretty much a write off and I see VDV as his replacement. I agree that we cant keep 4 strikers + VDV happy, so I would be happy to see us replace Crouch and Pav in the long run.

I'd replace Crouch with a more complete striker. Someone who works hard for the team like Crouch but is more productive in the final 3rd with better technique.

I'd replace Pav with a more versatile striker. I'd like us to have the option to change formation, so someone who could play as a wide attacker.

For example... VDV, Defoe, Suarez and Kalinic would give us better options all round. Kalinic can play as a lone striker, Suarez can play in a 2 or as a wide striker, Defoe can play alongside either I think.

Good post.

Not sure Kalinic is the answer personally but some great points there. I think the all round play and consistency of Crouch/Pav can be improved on.

 

[Azrael]

I'd like better options up front.

VDV is the number 10 who plays in the hole, but can also play in from the wing.

The 3 strikers are purely of one style each. I think this is the main reason before VDV arrived that we always had to go 4-4-2. Neither striker could play effectively in a 1, while neither could play wide in a 4-3-3.

Even when we had Berbatov, Keane, Defoe and Bent, we didn't have a great deal of variety. Berbatov and Keane were great because each could drop back and link with play. Bent and Defoe seemed a bit too similar in style and can only really play 1 role in the team.

I like Defoe in the squad and I think he's our best striker. So I would keep him. Keane is pretty much a write off and I see VDV as his replacement. I agree that we cant keep 4 strikers + VDV happy, so I would be happy to see us replace Crouch and Pav in the long run.

I'd replace Crouch with a more complete striker. Someone who works hard for the team like Crouch but is more productive in the final 3rd with better technique.

I'd replace Pav with a more versatile striker. I'd like us to have the option to change formation, so someone who could play as a wide attacker.

For example... VDV, Defoe, Suarez and Kalinic would give us better options all round. Kalinic can play as a lone striker, Suarez can play in a 2 or as a wide striker, Defoe can play alongside either I think.

What happens if weget more strikers and Defoe falls down the pecking order?

 

[brett.spurs]

Need a forward with PACE.

 

[bubble07]

VDV plus 2 forwards who can play the lone striker role is all thats needed

In an ideal world we would sell keane defoe crouch and Pav and sign Benzema and Lukaku

 

[mattstev2000]

Sell them all and buy one world class striker. If he ever gets injured we can play a midfielder up front, they score more than our current crop of strikers anyway.

 

[Leachie]

So basically we need to sign a striker?

 

[brendanb50]

So basically we need to sign a striker?

That OR a right back i think is what the OP is getting at.

 

[Azrael]

Sell them all and buy one world class striker. If he ever gets injured we can play a midfielder up front, they score more than our current crop of strikers anyway.

Bruce Forsyth could score more than our current crop FFS.

 

[mil1lion]

What happens if weget more strikers and Defoe falls down the pecking order?

I think Defoe will have a place in the squad at least for a couple more years. He's definitely a good option to have. I suppose it depends on if he is happy to fight for his place. Maybe in a couple of seasons he could get displaced by Kane. For now I cant see us getting 3 better strikers than Defoe. In fact we'll probably find it hard to get two quality strikers. We're finding it hard enough to get one.

 

[mil1lion]

VDV plus 2 forwards who can play the lone striker role is all thats needed

In an ideal world we would sell keane defoe crouch and Pav and sign Benzema and Lukaku

That would leave us too short. Not to mention Lukaku is just a kid. If one gets injured/suspended we'd have no options from the bench up front. If two get injured/suspended then we'll be in trouble.