Is Rafa playing striker poker

[Guest Assassin]

One of Rafa`s after game comments against Blackburn got me thinking.

 

"We need to analyse more things."

 

I have a feeling this is not aimed at Robbie as Rafa is quick to praise him but gets a little awkward and pensive when asked further questions with regards to a longer deal. It think Rafa has made the decision to keep Robbie, albiet it on a Didi type deal a one year contract plus another year depending on minimum amount of appearances.

 

Back to the quote again. I believe this is aimed towards the likes of Cisse, Morientes Kewell all the loanees and possibly Crouch and Garcia. Rafa will be looking at all of the players closely as although he has publically backed them we would be in a sorry state if we had relied on their strikerate, where would we have been without Stevie G`s goal haul this season.

 

Rafa has commented on a couple of "pacey 23 year olds", lets say he brings them in (Gonzalez could be one of these) ideally we still need 3 more strikers. If Rafa states Robbie is getting a new contract, that leave 2 more slots, personally I see Crouch staying, therefore, just one space left, Garcia and Kewell are more midfield candidates. This leaves Cisse, Morientes (and the loanees) if they were to know they where possibly not part of next seasons plans would the start to under perform over the next few games, especially the FA cup in which Robbie is cuptied.

 

On the other hand he could be just getting the best out of Robbie before releasing him. I think not though, especially as alll the players are saying what a great re-addition he has been

 

Thoughts?

[Buzz]

Kewell and Garcia can both play either wing, or, as a withdrawn striker in the hole. I think they both still have futures under Rafa as the give him plenty of possibilities with experience. Keeping them both happy over a season may be more difficult however.

[galés rojo]

Kewell and Garcia can both play either wing, or, as a withdrawn striker in the hole. I think they both still have futures under Rafa as the give him plenty of possibilities with experience. Keeping them both happy over a season may be more difficult however.

 

I definately think one will go and judging by Rafa's team selections then Garcia willmore likely be sacrificed.

[Buzz]

I definately think one will go and judging by Rafa's team selections then Garcia willmore likely be sacrificed.

We would definately miss his finishing.

[galés rojo]

We would definately miss his finishing.

 

Not if we sign Kuyt/Torres/Bent/Toni/Huntleaar/Yakubu/Aguero/Pele/Maradona/Cherno Samba and Nihat.

[Spike]

I think in terms of position and formation we will go to a 4-5-1 on the team sheet but with two wingers pushing up to a 4-3-3, or a 4-2-4 with Gerrard effectively being the second striker / free role for most of the games, and any of momo, xabi, didi, or bolo in the orthadeox central roles.

 

Kewell and Luis can also play as second striker.

 

In my opinion this is why the striker situation is less of a clean cut decision than it appears.

 

Possibilities for sure but does Raf share the same idea