Ibe Up Front

[Leo No.8]

For much the same reasons I suggested using Sterling up top (just before BR did and it improved us) I think we should be seriously considering using Jordon Ibe as a centre forward in the current injury crisis. We need a forward who can run the channels and stretch defences, and he's also a strong lad who can hold it up and deal with physical centre halves. If we are going to play three number ten creative types behind the striker (and that's really the only option we have due to personnel) then it's absolutely imperative they have pace and movement ahead of them.

Edited January 2, 2016 by Leo No.8

[muleskinner]

Not the worst shout.

[baja the hut]

I concur. He would be good up front.

[Zoob]

Think it would help the team and make Coutinho, Lalana and Firmino more effective.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

Minus points for the "as I've previously demonstrated" opening, and also for the "number ten" thing, but otherwise a good post Leo.

[Cunny]

a lad with two senior goals for us?

he does not need any extra pressure.

[Hassony]

Skrtel would score you more goals than ibe up front, you need good movements and a natural instinct to be a striker, and Ibe doesn't have either

 

 

Sterling's finishing is not great but his movement upfront is a lot better than Ibe

[Conrad]

Ibe isn't good enough to be playing.

[Jim D]

Think it would help the team and make Coutinho, Lalana and Firmino more effective.

Concur, we need pace upfront to compliment the other players in attack. I just don't think Benteke suits the system we want to play.

[Zoob]

I don't think it will happen anyway, but would be interesting to see a paralell universe in which it was tried... Don't think he'd suddenly start scoring goals, but I wouldn't be surprised if Coutinho, Lalana, Firmino started doing so because they had some movement up front to drag defenders away. As it is, when any of them get the ball, most of the time there's Benteke standing infront hardy moving and then 6 defenders in the way.

[Billy Dane]

Other than being a fast lad I'm not sure what else he could offer as a striker. Be better off with Firmino up front, based on the one time we've tried him there.

[RafaShanks]

a lad with two senior goals for us?

he does not need any extra pressure.

 

No league goals. Hardly been that great when he's played. Any people want to use him as an option up front?

 

Only solution is buying another striker.

[muleskinner]

Ibe isn't good enough to be playing.

He's in good company.

[Stanley Leisure]

Minus points for the "as I've previously demonstrated" opening, and also for the "number ten" thing, but otherwise a good post Leo.

 

 

I couldn't get past that.

 

Nothing personal, Leo, it's probably a good shout, but I'm out.

[Hassony]

 

Only solution is buying another striker.

Correct

[Jim D]

Correct

If so with Origi, Sturridge and Ings to return would it be a stop gap signing or someone for the long term?

[Hassony]

If so with Origi, Sturridge and Ings to return would it be a stop gap signing or someone for the long term?

Depends on who is available, Sturridge will always be injury prone, and the other two are still in the jury's out category

[RafaShanks]

If so with Origi, Sturridge and Ings to return would it be a stop gap signing or someone for the long term?

 

Long term of course. Sturridge might be binned given his injuries. Origi is only 20. That only leaves Ings.

[Malcolm X]

Skrtel would score you more goals than ibe up front, you need good movements and a natural instinct to be a striker, and Ibe doesn't have either

 

 

Sterling's finishing is not great but his movement upfront is a lot better than Ibe

 

He's got more f*cking movement in his toe than all of Benteke's body parts. Can't be worse than the current option, that's for sure.

[RafaShanks]

 

He's got more f*cking movement in his toe than all of Benteke's body parts. Can't be worse than the current option, that's for sure.

 

Then you sell Benteke.

 

If Benteke is our only fit striker and people want to play Ibe (or anyone else) in his position, they why the f*** should we keep him?

Benteke is just part of the problem. Others not good enough either.

[Hassony]

He's got more f*cking movement in his toe than all of Benteke's body parts. Can't be worse than the current option, that's for sure.

So has borini, but he never scores either, so yes, it can be a lot worse

Edited January 2, 2016 by Hassony

[Leo No.8]

Thing is about Ibe, he's quick but what he also does well is shift the ball from a standing start and use his body strength to make himself a shooting opportunity. I think that could make him an interesting option up top. If a quick, mobile striker is an option then of course that'd be preferable but if not I think it's worth a try.

[Bostonian]

i wouldn't mind if jerome sinclair gets a go,at least at exeter anyways,i know he's got contract bulls*** going on,but dude can shoot and score goals.

[muleskinner]

What about this Allen de Souza chap?

[Hassony]

We're one defeat away from someone suggesting to bring Mario back