SKD

Haven’t been following really, what’s the new format and Is it here to stay (i.e replacing div 1 and 2).

Here in lies the issue of limiting a budget to 10-15m. It’s very difficult to find value in that price bracket that are good enough to make an impact. Id rather we went 15-20m and looked at leagues such as Belgium, french, Austria, Holland and pick from clubs who’ve played in the CL (Mane type). There are some fantastic players in these leagues, who are a little more expensive, but have ability to impact straight away. Unless you have someone who is shortly out of contract, you’ll struggle to find any value for 10m£

I think there are a number of players who are in between being a championship and premier league player. Dwight Gale was a perfect example of this. Callum Wilson aside, most of those in and around us are exactly that. Judging on goals alone is a daft comparison though. Hence my comment about it not being about goals for me. Pukki, for example, is a much better natural finisher than Adams. Given the chances Adams has had, he would have score way more. Wilson, much better player, injured for some of the season. We have different opinions. Personally, I don’t rate him that highly and think we need to do better if we want to stay in the league. You rate him. Let’s agree to disagree.

It’s not a contradiction, i’m not judging him on goals. Obviously that is a factor, but I’m judging him on watching him and seeing that in front of goals he’s absolutely garbage. The comment about relying on him, was a statement of my judgement. As a sole or main striker, he will Not score us enough (because he’s not good enough) to stay in the league. Naturally, if his finishing improves (I don’t think it will, it’s a natural ability), then he’ll score more. If / when he starts putting the 1 on 1’s away or has a little morE finesse rather than just kicking it as hard as he can, then I’d expect him to get anywhere between 12-15 goals (based on the chances he misses). At that point, it’s probably fair to say he’s doing a decent job.

Like I said, its not about goals for me. It’s natural ability in front of goal. He’s too slow to pull the trigger, composure is appalling and doesn’t have a left foot. 3 pretty fundamental skills for a striker at the top level. Fair enough his hold up play, power and ability to press are pretty good (same was said about long last season, remember). As an out and out striker, for me, he’s not good enough. But I guess football is about opinions. If we’re relying on him as a senior Striker next season for goals, then he’ll be exactly that.. a championship player.

He’ll never score 30 goals in the premier league (of any other to be fair) so it’s an irrelevant point. But if he does, than maybe ill change my opinion.

It’s not about goals for me, it’s more so about his ability in front of goal. A number of better strikers might not score as many as him or worse ones score more. He lacks the natural ability to put the ball away. Similar to Long.

Yes. I don’t think he’s prolific enough to be a premier league striker.

Hard to disagree with this. Whatever people’s opinion of Ralph, if he pulls off the unlikely miracle of winning us the cup, he’ll go down as a legend of the club.

Agree with this. Although, Ralph did specifically say he wanted a smaller squad. And injuries are partially down to him and his reluctance to change style. As you said, 3/4 players (optimistic imo) no excuses, although he’ll always have the ‘I lost our top scorer’ card.

I do agree with this and I do think his all round play up until the box is pretty tidy. Personally, I think he just lacks that natural instinct in front of goal. Could we do better - yes. Can we afford to do better - I’m not sure atm.

I don’t think we’d get 20m for him. Especially given that’s the rough figure quoted for ings. I suspect we’ll get anywhere from 10-15m for him with only a year left on his contract and the current covid world. If he went to Tottenham, I wouldn’t be too surprised if it was a player / cash deal like PEH.

Can’t defend. Benefited from having VVD at CB allowing him to basically play as a right midfielder. Good going forward though. Ive never been impressed with him playing for England, seems to get found out too easily. that being said, if we play a back 3, he might be the best option. James and Walker are probably the best ‘all round’ RB’s and AWB is the best defensively. KWP has been fantastic for us, but he’s nowhere near the England squad at the minute.

Very rarely do I see him criticised on here when he misses a simple 1 on 1. Where as others get absolutely crucified just for walking on the pitch.

I think he sums up where we’re at, at the moment. But no, I don’t think he’s good enough for the PL and I think he gets an easy ride of things.

😂 behave. Much better player. Id argue the other 2 are as well.

3 more 9-0 defeats incoming then

Well Sheff Utd & West Brom will be in the championship next season and I think the others are much of a muchness to be honest. I doubt those clubs would be salivating at the thought of getting Adams either. Looking at Goals in isolation is a bad way to look at it. We create more chances than most of those teams. Adams could and should have had more for us. He just simply doesn’t have the composure to play regularly at this level. Afraid of using his left foot, takes too long in front of goal and usually snatches at chances. Granted he does have a decent technique and ability to strike the ball (you’ll notice most of his goals are just foot through the ball).

Fair enough, although I’d consider Bergkamp to be more of a traditional 10 than an out and out forward. I still think, for a team like us, he isn’t consistent enough in front of goal, which for a striker, is important.

Agree with this. Seems like a no brainier, assuming he’ll drop is 100k a week wage. Also Sounds like he is a good influence around the place and offers more than just on the pitch contributions.

Irrelevant really, as they’re all clearly 1000000% better than him.

Which starting premier league strikers would you say he’s better than (baring in mind he lost his place to Long last season and seemingly Redmond this one). I think the fact that if we had to rely on his goals to stay up, we’d be in the championship says that he’s not.

What is this ‘second striker’ nonsense people bang on about? To me, it seems as if it’s an excuse for him being pretty poor in front of goal.

Yes. Pretty average player, realistically belongs in the championship. His Finishing and composure in front of goal is appalling a which makes me doubt he’ll ever improve to the point where he can be relied upon.

Keita and Romeu completely different players. Keita is more ‘box to box’ and more similar to Lemina in style. He’s a good player, would improve us imo, but it’s never going to happen. Money better spent elsewhere.