10 Jun 2015 21:03:07
Think we are close to a great team but am worried about goals. Imagine to get top 4 need about 60 goals minimum, but with how poorly we defend probably need 70-80.
But think we still lack a bit of fire power, being optimistic: a fit studge gets 20, Ings hopefully 10, say 10 between hendo/couts, then tbf 20 being highly optimistict 30 between the rest of the team (origi, lallana, Markovic, Lambert,
Ibe, milner, skrtel, can, moreno).
So with a fully fit studge and everyone increasing their tally from last season still at best 60 odd goals. But without stevie don't have great delivery from set plays or a recognised free kick taker, plus don't see our defence shoring up. So provided sterling leaves think we need 2 more attacking players (striker & WF).
10 Jun 2015 21:49:01
We are nowhere near to being a great team mate
10 Jun 2015 22:01:36
That's actually a pretty fair assessment overall I'd say. I don't think studge will get 20 but would be awesome! The one place I think that needs to turn into a 20+ is coutinho and Henderson. I always feel both of these players are a game away from a streak of goals!
The other thing is that I don't really think as it is we can add anyone that will add enough goals considering it will mean someone else won't score to make it worth it. I don't know if that made sense but we really need to sell a few of those players to make purchases sensible was my point!
10 Jun 2015 22:22:34
Did you watch last season and who (even with Stevie playing) took the free kicks and corners?
Normally defenders "chip in" with at least 10 goals a season - did we get 3 last year??
I'd chill; you can't change anything (even a petition to get BR out) so let's see where we are at the end of the transfer window and who is really calling the shots - if Skytel goes i'm think FSG's man and not BR.
10 Jun 2015 22:57:26
I believe we will be okay from set pieces with Coutinho, Henderson & Milner.
10 Jun 2015 22:59:15
Ings - 15
Sturridge - 15
Milner - 10
Hendo - 10
Coutinho - 8
Lallana - 5
Then I'd hope for another 20 from other players, own goals etc.
Don't forget Hendo is probably taking penalties next season and Milner is a freekick specislist.
10 Jun 2015 23:09:35
Last season was rough for stevie and shame, but the season before his delivery was spot on. Added to that did put away a few nice free kicks last season, main point is don't see anyone in the squad as a quality set piece taker - and set pieces are massive.
Disagree as we do have a lot of good players, just not a good balance of good players in a lot of positions. Tbh always needed a CF but with milner coming and if lucas stays think our midfield is set (can lucas can play DM and hendoilner box to box, just use youth and move allen on).
So if sterling goes a wide player and a good GK then av a team that only the manager could fail (which BR can probably do) - provided we the expected player go then wide player and keeper sorts our team. Strong starting XI and options to change it.
10 Jun 2015 23:28:10
No offence EMS bit could you qualify your statement? How many goals had milner directly contributed from open play last year?
11 Jun 2015 01:08:10
Milner free kick specialist, he's probably scored 2 in his last 5 seasons! If milner and hendo get 10 each, more than coutinho I will send you my nutsack In an envelope EMS
11 Jun 2015 02:21:21
Top striker should be THE priority for this season instead eating time and money on Kovacic and Kono.
11 Jun 2015 09:01:06
Ings will need to play regularly as a forward to have any chance of scoring those 15 goals you mention, Adam.
11 Jun 2015 09:56:37
Sturridge - 10
Ings - 10
Milner - 8
Hendo - 8
Coutinho - 8
Origi - 7
Lallana - 6
Lambert - 6
Ibe - 6
Then Can and centre backs about 3 a piece, etc.
11 Jun 2015 11:24:58
The problem I see with that Sean Ireland is that it's almost impossible to spread it around that much - they players individually are capable enough but will they all get enough time on the pitch to score that many each?
I think we need 2 top strikers getting 15-20 each, 2 backup strikers getting 5-7 each, then hope for 20 from midfield (Hendo/Coutinho/Milner/Llalana/Ibe getting 4-5 each) and say 5-10 from various others (CB's at corners, fullbacks, own goals etc. )
That's around 70-75 minimum and then hope one of the strikers or midfielders hits a hot patch to outperform and push us up to c.80-85
The problem I expect will be ensuring we get that 15-20 minimum from each of our top 2 strikers with Sturridge regularly injured and no obvious no.2 to back him up.
11 Jun 2015 10:48:01
It won't matter one iota if we buy a TOP STRIKER is we keep p155ing about at the back!!
We need to find a way to move the ball QUICKLY up to the forward's like we did the season b4 last not dithering in defence playing one touch football between the back line.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.
11 Jun 2015 13:43:27
Well zimbo, I don't have anyone scoring more than 10 goals in my list so I don't think I've gone too high with my estimation.
You say two top strikers with 15-20 goals each - who?