Just thought i'd give my thoughts re. our striking options in the context of this Saturday's match.
Firstly, i'm somewhat at odds with much of the criticism that Anelka's receiving.
Without doubt he's getting more criticism than any other player at the moment and it baffles me as to why this is the case.
If we take Anelka, Anichebe and Long as our main options as our man 'up top', i'd say that Anelka has come far closer to scoring than the other two, even taking into account the amount of game time they've had.
My assessment of the 3 of them so far is:
Anelka: When he resists the temptation to drop deep and when Morrison is in the side, he looks dangerous. I fail to see any justification for the claims that he's 'lost his pace'. The only thing that's let him down is his finishing which, as we know with strikers, is down to confidence. Get Nico and Morrison combining, get Nico to stay on the centre backs shoulder rather than dropping deep and i'm confident the tide will turn.
Anichebe: Oh dear, this guy, whilst looks big and strong, has no eye for goal. The Stoke game was typical. He looked afraid to shoot. Not a good trait for a striker.
Long: Yep, he works hard but what else? If Anelka is low on confidence then this fella must have lost his confidence completely.
As for the Chelsea game, you've got to look at things from John Terry's point of view. Who would he prefer to play against?
Certainly not Anichebe. Big Vic is perfect for Terry as a physical battle is exactly what he prefers.
Which leaves us with Long or Anelka. If Long was in a good run of form it would be an easy choice but he looks woeful. Anelka's movement is far better and provided he looks to play on the shoulder of JT and provided Morrison plays, we could get some joy there.
Yes there's other options in Vydra and possibly Berahino up front but i'd keep Saido on the wing and use Vydra off the bench until he shows some form.
So, as for the side to start against Chelsea:
Myhill
Amalfitano GMac Jonas Ridgewell
Mulumbu Yacob
Sess Morrison Berahino
Anelka
Our Strikers and the Chelsea match!
posted on 6/11/13
One thing that is clear, unless one or two of our surrent crop hit some form then we need a major clearout in the striking department.
As you say, P45's at the ready.
Are there any more kids we could throw in?
posted on 6/11/13
For me Anichebe has looked the best out of the 3 but obviously doesn't score. If I had to choose from the 3 right now, I'd probably go for him.
I have been a fan of Long, but he has looked lost for a while. I'm not quite sure he suits our play anymore. Against Palace he was too far away from his midfielders and we have to end up playing long balls and down the channels. Don't think he is technically good enough to link up.
Anelka has been done to death now. He should at most be an impact player.
Personally I would give Vydra a run. We haven't seen much of him, but he is probably the quickest and the best finisher out of the 4.
posted on 6/11/13
Teix... as always over the many years mucka, you're spot on !
I do agree about Matej Vydra. He's not the biggest and not a target man but, play it on the floor and give him a chance.
posted on 6/11/13
I actually think Anichebe has been really good this season, our best man up front this season im (counting Berahino has playing behind him). He doesn't score goals, but we can afford that now with how good our midfield is
posted on 6/11/13
I think Anichebe has been great so far. Very impressed.!!!
posted on 6/11/13
A team that excites me -
Myhill
Jones McAuley Olsson Ridgewell
Yacob Mulumbu
Amalfitano Sessegnon Sinclair
Berahino
posted on 6/11/13
Spot on JH.... but only IF Billy and Sinclair are fit which may be doubtful. I hadn't given Sinclair a thought as he hasn't been on the radar for a while being injured.
I like the idea of trying pace down both channels.
posted on 6/11/13
I think Anichebe has made a good impact since he joined. He has shown great strength against opposition defenders although he wasn't great against Stoke especially when he kept falling over all the time.
Anelka has shown glimpses of his old self and has got himeself into good positions in front of goal but his finishing is not like it used to be.
Long works hard for the team but his first touch is shocking at best and he like Anichebe, falls over alot which is very frustrating to see.
For Chelsea I would be tempted to play Vydra who has the pace that will cause problems for Terry/Luiz/Cahill and with Sessegnon and Berahino playing in the wide positions and Morrison in the hole, their is plenty of craft and creativity in that team.
Myhill
Reid-McAuley-Olsson-Ridgewell
Yacob-Mulumbu
Berahino-Morrison-Sessegnon
Vydra
The above is assuming that Amafitano, Sinclair and Jones can't play.
posted on 6/11/13
Baggie Man
Apologies for the other day mate. A bad day, brought home with me. My comment was needless and poor form. Especially to you, considering we've been using the same boards for years and years. I've known you longer than I have known my girlfriend
posted on 6/11/13
So according to Downing -
Sinclair is back in training. Clarke to decide if he's fit enough for first team duties.
Anichebe and Anelka are both back and fit.
Billy Jobe deffo out
Myhill
Reid McAuley Olsson Ridgewell
Yacob Mulumbu
Amalfitano Sessegnon Berahino
Anichebe
Would like to Berahino up top with Sinclair on the wing when fully fit! Lots of good options on the bench aswell with Mozza, Brunt, Vydra, Long, Anelka, Gera, etc etc