How many strikers do we need

Gallagher and Marshall aren't strikers, Howard and Vassell are leaving, Schlupp's an unproven youngster and Waggy has played 2 games for us in about as many years. Beckford and Nugent are the only experienced strikers at the club so it makes sense for NP to bring in a back-up. Whether or not it makes sense for that back-up to be a £1.7m conference player is another matter.

Collymore didn't strike me as a MON type of player, but he got the best out of him!!!

Schlupp is a bit more "proven" than Vardy - both at this level and with international caps!

My biggest concern is that an unproven Vardy is here to replace Beckford or will push Schlupp down the pecking order - neither of which makes sense to me.

Hope I am wrong.

Speculate to accumulate - prawn - a goal scorer has an instinct for goal, no matter what level they play at and if this lad is blessed with pace, I'm sure our new midfield will supply him with the chances to deliver. (That's what I'm hoping anyway)

How many strikers do we need? I would say 5. One of whom would probably have to be happy to go out on loan until injuries mean a recall to the squad.
From your list:
7 Gallagher – hasn’t been used as a striker for some time
9 Howard - going
13 Vassell – versatile enough to also play on the wing. Unsure whether he’ll stay
14 Waghorn
20 Beckford
22 Marshall - midfielder
35 Nugent
27 Schlupp
??Vardy

So that leaves:
Waghorn, Beckford, Nugent, Schlupp and Vardy.
It would mean that Schlupp would probably be the one to have to be happy to go out on loan as would fringe players like Panayatou and Hopper.
Personally I would be surprised if Beckford is still here at the start of next season as I think the club will listen if any offers come in, which (if he goes) will create some interesting debate.

Wouldn't class Gally and Marshall as forwards

Howard - irrelevant of where he goes, he is out of contract

Vassell a player coach? Cant see it myself, not at 31 - if he stays I can see him being pushed out wide.

It's pretty much been summarised that in reality, we currently have five strikers signed up on contracts:

Waghorn -- returning from injury
Beckford -- fit, out and out striker
Nugent -- fit, versatile striker
Schlupp -- injuried, prospect
Vardy -- fit, unproven

I don't think that is a huge amount of forwards to have, particularly considering the difference aspects to their games.

I think Schlupp will possibly go out on loan; dependent upon his progress after surgery and Vardy's impact.

I have a feeling that Vassell may be offered a one season contract, but it won't be anywhere near the amount he got paid last year (surely he would have been announced as 'released' by now if one or both parties weren't mulling over something?).

And I think, Prawn/MG, you are both right to a certain extent. It would be a little bit of a concern if Vardy was to come in to replace a more proven striker (although we don't know the ins and outs of what is happening with Beckford or what his view is on his career here) and it is a punt bringing in Jamie, but sometimes this is part and parcel of football.

I don't think there is that much more to say on Vardy; we all agree it's a risk but could pay off, and like De Laet and James, I've already seen his quality questioned without seeing him kick a ball for us, which is a little depressing.

As I mentioned on another thread, one positive (although more of a shard of light than a concrete foundation on which to judge his talent) is that Vardy played against three league teams last season (from League 2,1 and the Championship) and scored against all of them, with the opposition having arguably stronger squads on all occassions.

Howards contract ran out 1st of May, he is long gone

vassell is gone.... just releasesd as 1 of 6......

I just read on Wikipedia (not the most accurate source of information admittedly) that Vardy is a winger that can also play as a striker. Might we have signed him primarily as a winger given the fact that we definitely do need more wingers?