The striker thread...

[S-Clarke]

Kris Boyd has left Eskisehirspor. CDAJFU?

 

No thanks. He was a total flop in this league with Boro and Forest, and will want stupid wages.

[Dig Dig]

There is a report in the Sky Sports News App in which the Donny chairman has said that there is a 3MM release clause in Sharps contract which will activate 1st Jan. He said any club meeting this can talk to him. He mentions our previous bid (along with Ipswich) as well.

[SuperSAINT]

There is a report in the Sky Sports News App in which the Donny chairman has said that there is a 3MM release clause in Sharps contract which will activate 1st Jan. He said any club meeting this can talk to him. He mentions our previous bid (along with Ipswich) as well.

 

So much for the story in the paper about him having a 1.75m release clause then.

 

I'd take him, but would have to find out the reason why it didn't go through last time.

[Dig Dig]

So much for the story in the paper about him having a 1.75m release clause then.

 

I'd take him, but would have to find out the reason why it didn't go through last time.

 

Others on here have heard that he didn't want to move due to his heavily pregnant wife.....which sounds fair enough. TBH, I don't really care too much as to why it didn't happen in the summer. If we can bring him here in January then I think we can push on to a top 2 finish.

[RobM]

There is a report in the Sky Sports News App in which the Donny chairman has said that there is a 3MM release clause in Sharps contract which will activate 1st Jan. He said any club meeting this can talk to him. He mentions our previous bid (along with Ipswich) as well.

 

Given how daft Jan transfer window prices get, I don't think £3m is a bad starting price. I very much doubt we will get anyone close to Sharp's ability for a significant saving over that.

[Dig Dig]

Given how daft Jan transfer window prices get, I don't think £3m is a bad starting price. I very much doubt we will get anyone close to Sharp's ability for a significant saving over that.

 

Yep and I'm fairly sure that we bid more than 3M in the summer anyway. Shouldn't take more than 3M as there is no incentive for clubs to bid more. The main issue will be competing with a host of other clubs who may offer silly wages or offer a more attractive move location wise.

 

We should be in great position however considering we are top with a good chance of prem football next season.

[Minty]

I don't see any particular area as a priority, and it is clear that, as we sit top of the league, our squad have performed very well and we don't have any clear weaknesses.

 

But given where we are, it is unlikely we will get a better chance to be promoted back to the Prem than we have right now, and as a result, I fully expect to see us try* to sign at least one striker and one attacking midfielder. This would really improve the squad as a whole and (I actually agree with alpine) help us become even more ruthless in front of goal. Clearly, we have scored and scored well, but we can score more, so lets be ruthless and aim to do exactly that.

 

Sharp would be perfect IMO, but a pacey ball-carrying midfielder with end-product would, personally, be my main aim, because I would like to see a little more venom in our counter-attacks at times, and start to produce the kind of threat to kill off opposition mercilessly at times and not let us get into situations where we only have a one goal lead and get pegged back.

 

This transfer window is all about preparing for the Prem IMO, be confident in what we can achieve and recruit accordingly.

 

* - as always, what we want to do, and who we want to sign, doesn't mean we will get them. Prices will go up, negotiations may well be difficult, so no tubthumping from me. I think NA and NC will be doing their utmost to bring quality players in.

Edited 19 December, 2011 by Minty

[Crowds]

Kris Boyd on a Free anyone??

[david in sweden]

I rate Lambert so highly I'd struggle to come up with a long list of players who could fill in for him.

Especially one of players we could afford. Strikers like Sharp may get goals, but Lambert is a terrific all round player. QUOTE]

 

I agree totally. Lamberts improvement can't be graded on any scale compared to his time at Bristol Rovers. Look what happened to them after her left !

.....and YES, it would be difficult to find someone of comparable quality (outside of the Prem. at least) but the fact that we don't have ANYONE capable

of filling his place in an emergency really bothers me. Thankfully, he was only out for one game, but what if it was him out for several months (like Barnard and Connolly?). We'd been down fighting it out with Coventry for the bottom spot.

 

One would have hoped that Lallana's skill could have translated into more goals, at times he looks like the young MLT, yet struggles to score.

I'm really waiting for Guly to blossom, but he doesn't seem to like the colder weather - same as last year..and for all that pretty football, our other midfielders are pathetically poor in front of goal.

 

so my question remains, why don't we have a sub. for our best player.

Were it LJ, Sharp, Maynard or A.N.Other - you could bet your boots they'd be in the line-up every week... especially with DC and LB out for an indefinite period.

[SuperSAINT]

Others on here have heard that he didn't want to move due to his heavily pregnant wife.....which sounds fair enough. TBH, I don't really care too much as to why it didn't happen in the summer. If we can bring him here in January then I think we can push on to a top 2 finish.

 

Might be some truth in those stories... I remember him saying something similar about Ipswich (in regards to the time not being right for him to move).

[derry]

would be good news if true. I never really heard why he turned us down in the summer. I did here a Donny fan at work (who has connections to the club) say that BS had handed in a transfer request as he feels he needs a fresh start after the tragic events of a few weeks ago. Could be true.

 

He doesn't need to hand in a transfer request because he has a £3m release clause which comes into effect on the 1st Jan 2012. There is no way he would put in a transfer request as it would cancel any loyalty bonuses he has coming.

[Dalek2003]

We're top.

 

We're top scorers.

 

Your point is redundant unless you finally show we CHOSE not to sign him, or another striker in the summer.

 

You'd have found some other weird moan to troll around on anyway.

 

davidn sweden is making exactly the same point as myself, as are others. You are just reacting to me as opposed to actually reading what I have to say, which dimnishes your argument completely, because it is based on nothing but prejudice.

[Dalek2003]

I agree. If only Saints had strengthened in early June.

 

Thanks for the support.

[RobM]

davidn sweden is making exactly the same point as myself, as are others. You are just reacting to me as opposed to actually reading what I have to say, which dimnishes your argument completely, because it is based on nothing but prejudice.

 

Thanks for the support.

 

So on one hand it's wrong to focus attention on your posts and pick you out for them, but on the other hand anybody who agrees is personally supporting you and is worthy of your appreciation? Make your mind up.

[SNSUN]

What surprises me most with our striker situation, is that with Barnard and Connolly out for chunks of the season, we haven't given the youth much of a go. We've relied on Guly moving up from midfield, De Ridder who's still finding his feat and was signed as a winger, and a not-up-to-it Forte in the cup. All we've had from memory is fleeting glimpses of Reeves, who until recently was a left back anyway.

 

I'd have been interested to see one of the young-uns given some bench time this season, to see if they can make a last ditch impact in games. Jake Sinclair for example. Are they not yet good enough? Or too young still? Or is it that we've played ourselves into such a strong position in the league that Adkins felt like not risking it? That said, even with the promise that we'll one day have our own academy graduates in our side, I still want to see a striker brought in in January.

[DrunkenSaint]

Butterfield from Barnsley and Sharp would do imo. Butterfield can play left mid or attacking centre and put AL on the right or behind the strikers. Good options to have would cost around 4-5 million then can offload Forte + Dickson. If we do have all the money ppl think we have id go for 2 strikers since Guly simply can not play in the cold weather or away from home and that does not look good when our coldest months are to come. Lately we have missed so many chances in front of goal we need a good striker who can not just score goals but who can create goals as well and a goal scoring midfielder, if we had put even half of our chances away of late we'd still have a comfortable lead.

[Appy]

What surprises me most with our striker situation, is that with Barnard and Connolly out for chunks of the season, we haven't given the youth much of a go. We've relied on Guly moving up from midfield, De Ridder who's still finding his feat and was signed as a winger, and a not-up-to-it Forte in the cup. All we've had from memory is fleeting glimpses of Reeves, who until recently was a left back anyway.

 

I'd have been interested to see one of the young-uns given some bench time this season, to see if they can make a last ditch impact in games. Jake Sinclair for example. Are they not yet good enough? Or too young still? Or is it that we've played ourselves into such a strong position in the league that Adkins felt like not risking it? That said, even with the promise that we'll one day have our own academy graduates in our side, I still want to see a striker brought in in January.

 

The 5 sub rule has really hampered their chances, it is a farce really.

[Ashley Grute]

Butterfield or Andrews (Blackburn player on loan at Ipswich) plus a striker and a right winger of quality and I think we will go up

[Nexstar]

Rhodes/Sharp/Cox

 

Any of those three and I'll be very happy.

[Pilchards]

Someone heard that Leicester are sorting out a deal for Sharp, he heard it on the TV.

 

News to me but I personally believe Lucas is a done deal myself as I have been reminded by the guy who told me.

[EBS1980]

It was on the paper round up on ssn this morning that Wigan Leicester and us are in for Sharp for £3.25m

[trousers]

What surprises me most with our striker situation, is that with Barnard and Connolly out for chunks of the season, we haven't given the youth much of a go. We've relied on Guly moving up from midfield, De Ridder who's still finding his feat and was signed as a winger, and a not-up-to-it Forte in the cup. All we've had from memory is fleeting glimpses of Reeves, who until recently was a left back anyway.

 

I'd have been interested to see one of the young-uns given some bench time this season, to see if they can make a last ditch impact in games. Jake Sinclair for example. Are they not yet good enough? Or too young still? Or is it that we've played ourselves into such a strong position in the league that Adkins felt like not risking it?

 

I've pondered on the same topic several times this season and I think you've probably hit the nail on the head with your last question there.

 

I would imagine that we'd have played more youngsters if we'd had more of an average start to the season.

 

There again, who knows.

[um pahars]

I've pondered on the same topic several times this season and I think you've probably hit the nail on the head with your last question there.

 

I would imagine that we'd have played more youngsters if we'd had more of an average start to the season.

 

There again, who knows.

 

Can presume the consensus is that whilst we apparently have another good batch of youngsters coming through none of them are that special to be able to make the step up at the moment.

 

But not even worth risking one on the bench to either give us an option or to put on if game is already won (or heaven forbid, lost)??? What was the point of both Holmes and De Ridder on the bench Sunday (we really must be threadbare)???

 

And of course the other question is why we didn't get anyone in on loan?? No one available, right player not available, too much wanted, hoped others would be fit???

[doddisalegend]

Can presume the consensus is that whilst we apparently have another good batch of youngsters coming through none of them are that special to be able to make the step up at the moment.

 

But not even worth risking one on the bench to either give us an option or to put on if game is already won (or heaven forbid, lost)??? What was the point of both Holmes and De Ridder on the bench Sunday (we really must be threadbare)???

 

And of course the other question is why we didn't get anyone in on loan?? No one available, right player not available, too much wanted, hoped others would be fit???

 

Clubs don't tend to loan out strikers of the quaility everyone thinks we need, It's debatable if a PL youngster or an old has been some club want to get rid of would have added much to the team. There's always a chance you can get lucky with a good loan, like Jos, but more than likely there wasn't any decent strikers on offer (becuase if they were decent clubs wouldn't want to loan them)

[Dan Johnson]

Nicky Maynard is on the verge of signing a new contract at Bristol City which would suggest he's not looking for a move.

 

I'd also be surprised if Billy Sharp leaves in January, after all the support he's recieved from Donny after his tragic loss a few months back I very much feel like he'd want to repay that support by at least staying till the end of the season to help them avoid relgation. Not to mention with him & his wife settled in the area & surrounded by supportive friends & family, leaving that support base after such a tragic loss seems so unlikely so soon. Of course they may feel as though they need a fresh start away from the tragic memories but I'd be surprised if football was the motivation for him staying/going in Jan.

 

Our focus should be finding someone with pace, something we really lack in our side at the moment.

[modern matron]

The Sun says were making a 1.5m bid

for LJ. I personally think we need him and a quick forward i.e Sharp or Maynard.

[Wade Garrett]

Nicky Maynard is on the verge of signing a new contract at Bristol City which would suggest he's not looking for a move.

 

I'd also be surprised if Billy Sharp leaves in January, after all the support he's recieved from Donny after his tragic loss a few months back I very much feel like he'd want to repay that support by at least staying till the end of the season to help them avoid relgation. Not to mention with him & his wife settled in the area & surrounded by supportive friends & family, leaving that support base after such a tragic loss seems so unlikely so soon. Of course they may feel as though they need a fresh start away from the tragic memories but I'd be surprised if football was the motivation for him staying/going in Jan.

 

Our focus should be finding someone with pace, something we really lack in our side at the moment.

 

The comments from his chairman suggest to me that they will sell him in January.

[Dan Johnson]

The comments from his chairman suggest to me that they will sell him in January.

 

Indeed that could well be the case, it also seems that he has a £3m release clause and were the offer made they'd have no choice anyway.

 

However the chairman did mention that "any final decision on a move is down to Billy himself."

 

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11734/7386538/Rovers-Sharp-will-cost-3m

 

& on the 5th of December sharpe said

 

"I am staying to help Doncaster - at least for the time being,"

 

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11734/7353943/Sharp-happy-to-stay

 

To me it suggests he's staying till the end of the season

[Ken Tone]

Talk of fees for players should always include some focus on how long their existing contract is. £3m for Sharp for example may be the automatic trigger for Doncaster to guarantee he can go if he wants, but that would probably have applied throughout his whole contract. If he is free by June, it would be a ridiculous price to pay now, so if he won't sign a contract extension for them, they'd be foolish not to consider anything much over £1m, rather than get nothing in the summer (I have no idea how long his remaining contract actually is. Does anyone else?)

 

Sounds to me very much like the Donny chairman is just trying to talk up the price via a bidding war.

[capitalsaint]

Going to be an interesting battle of the ITK boys. One the one hand we have Jut, the other is BT and Sharp.

[doddisalegend]

Going to be an interesting battle of the ITK boys. One the one hand we have Jut, the other is BT and Sharp.

 

So chances are it will be none of them and end up being someone no one has ever heard off.....

Edited 20 December, 2011 by doddisalegend

[Thedelldays]

I think we should go out and get Rhodes...he is on fire at the moment

 

maybe sharp and also bring in juzckweitz (sp)

[Sour Mash]

I think we should go out and get Rhodes...he is on fire at the moment

 

maybe sharp and also bring in juzckweitz (sp)

How much do you reckon we should be prepared to pay for Rhodes? Can't see him going cheap. Also, should we be paying with the Prem in mind? In which case is League One to the Prem a fair old jump?

[buctootim]

I doubt Sharp will go anywhere in January. His wife gave birth to a full term baby that died at the end of October. His isnt going to be saying to her 8 weeks later - "never mind luv you should be over by now, lets go to Southampton because I can be a big star there and its only 200 miles from your mum, friends and family".

[Thedelldays]

How much do you reckon we should be prepared to pay for Rhodes? Can't see him going cheap. Also, should we be paying with the Prem in mind? In which case is League One to the Prem a fair old jump?

rhodes...£2m...maybe upto 3m with promotion...you would HOPE..(big hope) that he would 'want to leave' with us coming in for him..almost a shout at the prem for him......

 

grant holt and looking like lambert would do OK in the prem....sure fining NPC not too bad

[Sour Mash]

rhodes...£2m...maybe upto 3m with promotion...you would HOPE..(big hope) that he would 'want to leave' with us coming in for him..almost a shout at the prem for him......

 

grant holt and looking like lambert would do OK in the prem....sure fining NPC not too bad

Just reckon we'd need to shell out more than that for Rhodes. Hudds don't need the money as far as I'm aware and he obviously seems pretty settled, how much would we have asked for Lambert this time last year if someone like QPR had come in for him? Would be more than £3m I reckon.

[Thedelldays]

Just reckon we'd need to shell out more than that for Rhodes. Hudds don't need the money as far as I'm aware and he obviously seems pretty settled, how much would we have asked for Lambert this time last year if someone like QPR had come in for him? Would be more than £3m I reckon.

indeed...I guess I would be hoping on the player wanting the move etc.......

[shurlock]

 

How do you have a sub for Lambert? I don't understand the idea of spending money on someone specifically in case something happens to Lambert. Are we that rich? What other player could come in and not only score regularly, take free kicks and penalties, but also win flick ons, hold up the ball, be a key part of our passing game, drift out wide, cross, try through balls etc. It's great we have a player like that, and that's why we're top. But we can't then say we want 2 of them! Same way we're not about to have a spare Lallana in case he gets injured.

 

I hope we do sign first team players, who'll add something different for when Lallana, Lambert or whoever aren't having much luck, or when our tactics need changing. People would be happy to spend big on Rhodes, yet Barnard wasn't exactly far behind in the league 1 scoring stakes. If we'd also be happy with a league 1 centre back, then Harlee Dean seems to be doing very well there. Sometimes it seems all people really want is money to spent, for new faces every window. I don't think Adkins will ever sign people just for the sake of it though.

 

What other clubs have subs for their best players anyway? As in similar players who wouldn't leave them severely weakened? I can't think of any in the football league, or half the top flight. In fact would many teams in the world not be severely weakened without their best player? The only teams who cope well without their best players, are those who simply don't have many great players. Pompey without their best player, whoever that is, won't be much worse. So they can have subs for them easier. If you have 4 or 5 top draw players, they're harder to replace.

 

I just don't see it as something to moan about so much as something to celebrate after years of struggle. Some on here seem to think they're stating some insightful genius demanding back up for Lambert or whoever, then if they're injured say 'see, told you'. But no-one has ever or would ever suggest it wouldn't be nice to have great back up, they just question the ease with which that could happen.

 

Just find the desperation for signings odd. If we didn't have Barnard, and we signed him in January, I think many would be fairly happy with him as back-up. But because we already have him, he's not enough. Fair enough if we buy higher quality like Maynard, but odd to demand the likes of LJ or Vokes who've done very little, if anything, to suggest they're better than Barnard.

 

FFS you drone on. Its not about having back-up for our best players which, I agree, is an oxymoron; rather its about having back-up for a particular set-up or style of play.

 

Lambert is one of our best players but also happens to be a decent target man. Unless you haven't noticed, we go quite direct at times and get joy from deep crosses, diagonal balls etc. It therefore makes sense to have someone who is good in the air and can hold up the ball. Its not about having world beaters, just ensuring we play our own game regardless of injuries, suspensions etc.

Edited 20 December, 2011 by shurlock

[Sour Mash]

indeed...I guess I would be hoping on the player wanting the move etc.......

Who knows, but I reckon Rhodes will hold on until the end of the season to try and finish the job at Hudds and finally get them up. If they miss out again I think there'd definitely be a chance to get him

[david in sweden]

Some on here seem to think they're stating some insightful genius demanding back up for Lambert or whoever, then if they're injured say 'see, told you'. If we didn't have Barnard, and we signed him in January, I think many would be fairly happy with him as back-up. QUOTE]

 

of all the contributors to this site adrians... I'm in agreement with much that you have written in the past, but how can you fail to see the relevance of having back up for our top striker. After every game I thank God that Ricky is OK and walking off the pitch of his own steam, because without him we'd be in the sh*t big time.

Of course it's not easy to find the same qualities in another player, but without RL we have no big man up front althoughI do like Guly,let's not pretend he is a natural striker) I very much hope I never want to say "I told you so" - because by then it will be too late and recriminations won't improve things.

 

For many seasons past we were a sort of middling- to-poor team, who managed to survive and occasionally got a good win over a better side. Having a big striker was part of the plot and few of them were really "the real thing " BUT this season we are talking big time.

Halfway into a season and we are favourites for promotion and we still have onlyONE, fit and dependable striker - Ricky Lambert .

 

David Connolly, a class act by all accounts has reached an age where injuries take months rather than weeks to heal. Please everyone stop quoting Lee Barnard - until we know what the judiciary has planned for him...! Whilst Adkins is waiting for him to get fit - we don't know if he will be available to play after his trial judgment - a fact that surely NA has (hopefully) not overlooked... and so, what are we left with.... Jonno Quick and two Academy graduates who have even debuted in the League yet. Are you really content with that scenario?

 

Are we waiting for Ricky to rattle in another 15 goals and tie up our promotion single-handedly? Nice if it happens, but I'm not convinced that going into the Premiership with one proven striker is enough to help us survive...when our best /only striker's future leaves us one injury away from collapse.

Anyone we bring in needs a little time to settle in, and with half-a-season left..it needs time for a partnership to gell, as also seen in the past.

 

NA's plan (at Doncaster) was having Guly and Schneiderlin up front was hardly convincing and showed only too well our fraility up front.

My main question is still unanswered. Why don't we have some form of cover for our best player ..?

Edited 20 December, 2011 by david in sweden

[derry]

We need somebody who can play in the same attack as Lambert and in the event of a Lambert injury play as the target man, of those mentioned Jutkeiwicz is the nearest to that. Another striker of that sort gives us all sorts of options to change things if everybody is fit and if not, like recently, more options than there has been. In my view a goalkeeper, centre back, attacking midfielder and striker would allow us a bit of breathing space, after all it's probably the best chance we will ever get to get promotion, a bit of insurance and strengthening will lift everybody.

[Lord Duckhunter]

My mates a Huddersfield supporter, he reckons Rhodes is going nowhere because the board are scared Clarke will walk into another job if he does.

 

I think the guy from Cov looks like a good bet, they're in a terrible financial situation. Still wont address our lack of pace though. I've no doubt we've got targets and if they're a sensible price and available we'll get onboard. I've got a feeling it'll be a unknown or someone from abroad. I doubt very much that NC will get into a bidding war over some of the "names" being branded about.

[Wade Garrett]

We need somebody who can play in the same attack as Lambert and in the event of a Lambert injury play as the target man, of those mentioned Jutkeiwicz is the nearest to that. Another striker of that sort gives us all sorts of options to change things if everybody is fit and if not, like recently, more options than there has been. In my view a goalkeeper, centre back, attacking midfielder and striker would allow us a bit of breathing space, after all it's probably the best chance we will ever get to get promotion, a bit of insurance and strengthening will lift everybody.

 

Spot on derry. We might never get such a good chance of going up.

[david in sweden]

We need somebody who can play in the same attack as Lambert and in the event of a Lambert injury play as the target man, of those mentioned Jutkeiwicz is the nearest to that. Another striker of that sort gives us all sorts of options to change things if everybody is fit and if not, like recently, more options than there has been. In my view a goalkeeper, centre back, attacking midfielder and striker would allow us a bit of breathing space, after all it's probably the best chance we will ever get to get promotion, a bit of insurance and strengthening will lift everybody.

 

 

Thanks for that Derry. I was beginning to think I was alone with that analysis.

[doddisalegend]

We need somebody who can play in the same attack as Lambert and in the event of a Lambert injury play as the target man, of those mentioned Jutkeiwicz is the nearest to that. Another striker of that sort gives us all sorts of options to change things if everybody is fit and if not, like recently, more options than there has been. In my view a goalkeeper, centre back, attacking midfielder and striker would allow us a bit of breathing space, after all it's probably the best chance we will ever get to get promotion, a bit of insurance and strengthening will lift everybody.

 

I reckon if people are holding out for that in january they might be quite dissapointed...

[hypochondriac]

I heard that lukas' agent has basically been begging us to take him for about a year but that we aren't interested.

[david in sweden]

 

FFS you drone on. Its not about having back-up for our best players which, I agree, is an oxymoron; rather its about having back-up for a particular set-up or style of play.

 

Lambert is one of our best players but also happens to be a decent target man. Unless you haven't noticed, we go quite direct at times and get joy from deep crosses, diagonal balls etc. It therefore makes sense to have someone who is good in the air and can hold up the ball. Its not about having world beaters, just ensuring we play our own game regardless of injuries, suspensions etc.

 

I make no apologies for " droning on " as you put it. I've been a Saints fan for over 50 years and might underline the point of others on here of my generation..that being totally dependent on one striker has also been our downfall over the decades...(Wayman, R.Davies, Channon and MLT are prime examples.)

 

I didn't use the phrase "worldbeaters" either, in fact I think the number of players in our present squad who can make a career in the Prem. is embarrasingly few, but we have to get there first. Relying on Lambert alone to get us there (as we so obviously do) is a major concern.

 

"drone " over !

[david in sweden]

I doubt Sharp will go anywhere in January. His wife gave birth to a full term baby that died at the end of October. His isnt going to be saying to her 8 weeks later - "never mind luv you should be over by now, lets go to Southampton because I can be a big star there and its only 200 miles from your mum, friends and family".

 

good point well made, but they also might like to put the past behind them and start over anew...people are different.

[Gemmel]

I wonder if we were one of the clubs sniiffing around Rory Donnelly, but now Liverpool are in for him, I guess it doesn't materr if we were or weren't

[david in sweden]

 

What was the point of both Holmes and De Ridder on the bench Sunday (we really must be threadbare)???

And of course the other question is why we didn't get anyone in on loan??

No one available, right player not available, too much wanted, hoped others would be fit???

 

 

 

careful um pahars..I get shouted down when I try to make that point, too