I would love to see us buy a striker who creates problems for opposing defences

[Bootle Buck]

Either a strong forward in the mould of a Yakubu, Harewood or Jason Roberts or a fast pacey forward who can run defences ragged like a Van Persie or a Darren Bent. Right now we don't seem to have the forwards capable of seriously putting defenders under pressure. Even Kevin Nolan in his old striking role would cause many problems. I haven't seen much of him but from what people say Kuyt may be somewhere in between the two types.

[Benitez]

thats a very long title

[Ombudsam]

What a great thread title

[Wardy]

We could do a lot worse than Marlon Harewood, been very impressed with him this season.

[Stevie H]

What a great thread title

 

sounds like a half man half biscuit track.

[David Hodgson]

Either a strong forward in the mould of a Yakubu, Harewood or Jason Roberts or a fast pacey forward who can run defences ragged like a Van Persie or a Darren Bent. Right now we don't seem to have the forwards capable of seriously putting defenders under pressure. Even Kevin Nolan in his old striking role would cause many problems. I haven't seen much of him but from what people say Kuyt may be somewhere in between the two types.

 

I agree, and I think Yakubu is a good shout.

 

Despite being an utter spaz, Djibril is usually a concern to defenders. He's unpredictable and fast. They have to be very aware of him. The same was true of Baros, despite his limitations.

[Molby]

Heskey then

[Leo No.8]

I like Yakubu a lot, a real handful. But I think possibly even better would be Darren Bent. Just posted this on the 'unfashionable player of the year awards' thread in the general football forum, but its more relevant here really...

 

What's interesting about Bent is that he plays in a Charlton system not too dis-similar to ours, but its more cautious and tuned into players with less quality.

 

Curbishley often plays with just the one up front, and has a few attacking midfielders to get up and support; although it often looks like he has two strikers in the line-up, he tends to play forwards like Marcus Bent and Euell starting from wide positions, the way Rafa does with Cisse.

 

They have shipped a few goals in the last few games, but in general, like Rafa, Curbishley sets his team up to give little away. Consequently, the centre-forward can be a bit isolated at times.

 

Despite this, Bent is one of the top scorers in the Premier League. He's fitted into a difficult system that doesn't suit centre forwards in a way several of our strikers have been unable to do. Even though they've been a mid-table side for years now, I can't remember the last time a Charlton forward scored more than 10 in a season, which he has done easily.

 

He's young, English, very, very quick and a quality finisher. I think he's different to the strikers we have at present, and would be an excellent replacement if and when we move Cisse on. He offers what Cisse does in terms of pace, but the hard work, eye for goal and general suitability for English football Djibs seems to lack.

 

We were interested in him when he left Ipswich apparently - shame we didn't grab him then...

[surfaris]

sell el moro, buy darrent bent next season rafa!