BR commented today that our current setup is to play Suarez as a false nine (wow, I hate that phrase), and that he will be looking to bring in players in January that can fit in with that model.
I'm not entirely sure that I think this is the best course of action; I think the most pressing concern for us is that we don't have a player who takes decisive, convincing action in the 18 yard area in terms of taking up real goalscoring positions and, of course, putting the ball into the net. IMO, we run the risk of this problem continuing if we concentrate on obtaining wide forwards.
Two names that continually pop up in relation to us are Walcott and Sturridge; do these names seem to you like they're going to put a stop to the "Poor finishing and decision making in the final third meant that LIverpool couldn't capitalise on their dominance" themes in our match reports? I don't think so; Sturridge in particular strikes me as very unintelligent and remarkably wasteful in terms of hIs decision making.
We will dominate teams this year and we will have plenty of the ball in the final third. I can see the plus points of what Buck is saying, because with Suarez as the withdrawn striker and dangerous players either side of him, we could have 3 forwards who score regularly enough. However, I would probably prefer if we could add a penalty box specialist; someone whose primary instinct is to get himself a yard or two so he can slam home a first time finish.
Suarez is able to unhinge defences from the wider areas, but we rarely turn that into goals. Someone with good anticipation and movement should thrive with the likes of Suarez and Sterling in the wide areas trying to run at defences.
As long as we get support from the midfield and as long as the full backs get forward (Lucas' return freeing up Allen as well as a fit Johnson will help) we'll be able to keep the ball moving sharply and give the forward players the platform to hurt the opposition without necessarily needing a withdrawn striker to help the build up play - and hey, playing Suarez as the withdrawn striker could be our plan B. It's better than sticking it in the mixer for Carroll.
Overall, I think a specialist goalscorer who thrives in the box is what we need rather than wide players who can pop up with goals, even if I can see why BR wants to play Suarez as a withdrawn striker when he turns in performances like today. He was utterly fantastic and gave a masterclass in skill, courage, fight and leadership. Absolute class.
Buck's comments on Suarez and our situation
posted on 4/11/12
we need a proper centreforward to play between Suarez and Sterling
Suarez runs at defenders three at a time and they poo themselves.
If we had another proper goal threat then he'd only have to beat 2 defenders which he can do with relative ease
posted on 4/11/12
We don't have good enough players,wr don't have enough good players and our style of play isn't effective enough to score goals and win games. We are so slow and ponderous coming out from the back. Passpasspassspasspass and the the opposition have all players behind the ball. There is no cut and thrust. No threat from the full back, no forward runs from the midfield and no support for Suarez up front. We need players and a sense of urgency and some direct play
posted on 4/11/12
Suarez will be playing up front for the season. It's pretty obvious that that's where Brendan sees him playing.
posted on 4/11/12
Suarez for me would be as good on either side of the front three or as a support striker for me!
Playering behind the main CF, his workrate and skill would dramtically improve our attack, obviously with a real no.9 and 2 wide forwards (Sterling and would want to see more of Ass).
posted on 4/11/12
A proper fox in the box will thrive from the service and we'll see the best of Suarez too.
posted on 4/11/12
I know, let's clone suarez.
posted on 4/11/12
We should play something like this if we did get a new striker:
Suarez.. ..Sterling
..........Striker*
posted on 5/11/12
We don't have good enough players,wr don't have enough good players and our style of play isn't effective enough to score goals and win games. We are so slow and ponderous coming out from the back. Passpasspassspasspass and the the opposition have all players behind the ball. There is no cut and thrust. No threat from the full back, no forward runs from the midfield and no support for Suarez up front. We need players and a sense of urgency and some direct play
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I totally agree. The reason we don't score more goals is because we let teams reorganise themselves in their area. 10 men behind the ball because we're too busy looking for the safe pass. By that time they've regrouped and we just don't have enough men in their penalty box to disrupt their well rehearsed training ground routines.
Yes pass, but lets show some urgency and seize the opportunity to get forward QUICKLY en mass.
posted on 5/11/12
"BR commented today that our current setup is to play Suarez as a false nine"
The only position i feel totally comfortable with Suarez being in the team.
However everyone else will need to be patient with his movement & they will have to be very intelligent with their movement as well. We'll also need a very inter-changeable front 3 for it to work. Walcott & Sturridge seem good on paper but i'll question their footballing brain to play those positions.
posted on 5/11/12
We won't sign both Walcott and Sturridge.
The idea will be to sign one of them to play on the right I think.
Walcott to run infield with his pace and get close to Suarez and behind teams.
Sturridge to come in and shoot with his left foot and get in the box as he is a natural goalscorer.
Sterling and Assaidi will then battle for the left forward role.