Striker Position Without Torres

[Leo No.8]

For me, who Rafa chooses to play up front with Torres out will define if we've got a chance of winning the Europa or not and finishing the season strongly.

 

N'Gog isn't ready to start, he's not physically strong or experienced enough for that lone striker role in our side. I do think he's a good young lad with a good attitude and decent as an impact sub late in games, but it would be extremely foolish to persist with him as a starter.

 

So who would people go for? I think Kuyt is the logical choice, but I do wonder whether the 'new and improved' Ryan Babel may be worth a punt. He has been more direct, more physical and more hard working lately and I think if he could play that way up top he could be an asset.

 

He's got that big backside and strength which if used right could allow him to hold the ball up for us, as well as the pace to run with it when required.

Edited April 19, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Kahnee]

Kuyt up top, Gerrard wide, Aquadoodaddie in the hole.

 

Easy, this

[Knox_Harrington]

Best performance of the season in Torres' absence? Spurs at home. Possibly best performance of the season full stop. Kuyt with Aquilani in behind. Do that.

 

Sympathy with the Babel POV.

[Swipe]

As you say, defo not Ngog on his own. He's just not able to do it.

 

Kuyt is a better choice, but his lack of pace means he's not ideal.

 

I've always said that, as much of a s***house as Babel is, the best thing for him may be to play him centrally up top and tell him to t*** the ball towards goal when he gets the chance.

 

Kuyt and Babel might be an idea. But I'd be surprised if it's anything other than one up top, with Stevie behind him.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

We'll do Atleti & lose to Hamburg in the final. They've got a good home record.

 

Torres off the bench?

[Internationinteroperability]

The question is if Rafa trusts Babel as a lone striker? He's got pace and power but has he got the intelligence to play that role?

 

Would prefer a player with a bit of pace up front if we persist with the current system but I'm not sure Rafa trusts Babel in that role...

[Hassony]

It's a shame that maxi can't play in europe

[honourablegeorge]

You'd need Kuyt and Babel up there. Kuyt to do the closing down, holding up, running, working and the carefully laying it off, so that Babel can just t*** it.

[Epic Swindle]

The problem with Kuyt up top on his own is his brain tells him to constantly follow the ball. He needs someone ahead of him. I'd be happy with either Babel or Ngog as at least there's two bodies up there.

[Hobbsie]

As long as we go 4-4-2 we'll have a chance, if not, then neither Kuyt or Ngog (or Babel) can play as a lone striker

[Frosty Jack]

Best performance of the season in Torres' absence? Spurs at home. Possibly best performance of the season full stop. Kuyt with Aquilani in behind. Do that.

 

aye

[baz2107]

Babel quite simply has to play meaningful game now, we need as much pace in the side as possible to counter Torres absence, I'd go with either

 

Maxi-----Gerrard-------Masch---------Babel

---------------------Aquilani----------------------

---------------------Kuyt---------------------------

 

or

 

Gerrard----Aquilani-------Masch------Maxi

------------Kuyt---------Babel-------------------

 

with Benyayoun playing in place of Maxi in Europe

[Coyler]

You'd need Kuyt and Babel up there. Kuyt to do the closing down, holding up, running, working and the carefully laying it off, so that Babel can just t*** it.

Haha, yes!

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

the chances of us NOT going lone-striker......

[stressederic]

Finally, my time has come.

[Conrad]

Best performance of the season in Torres' absence? Spurs at home. Possibly best performance of the season full stop. Kuyt with Aquilani in behind. Do that.

 

Sympathy with the Babel POV.

 

Yes

 

Kuyt is the man for big goals in big games - particularly in Europe

[Knox_Harrington]

Think with genuine movement and pace either side (Gerrard and Babel) Kuyt with Aquilani behind could be genuinely dangerous. Encourage the full backs to get beyond and it's a neat little 433 (which is what I think we should move towards in any case).

[dl2009]

Sympathy with the Babel

 

The Stones' much derided follow up to their '68 hit.

 

I think it's quite apparent that we should ditch the lone striker system with Torres out; he's the only forward at our club who compliments that set up. We should go with a straight 4-3-3 with a narrow midfield and overlapping fullbacks.

[cymrococh]

The Stones' much derided follow up to their '68 hit.

 

I think it's quite apparent that we should ditch the lone striker system with Torres out; he's the only forward at our club who compliments that set up. We should go with a straight 4-3-3 with a narrow midfield and overlapping fullbacks.

Please allow me to introduce myself

I'm a man with both touch and pace

I've been around for a long long year

stole many a man's starting place

[Cobs]

Please allow me to introduce myself

I'm a man with both touch and pace

I've been around for a long long year

stole many a man's starting place

 

 

but what's puzzling you

is the nature of my game

 

 

 

could have been written for him, that

[dl2009]

Please allow me to introduce myself

I'm a man with both touch and pace

I've been around for a long long year

stole many a man's starting place

 

 

Edited April 19, 2010 by dl2009

[Swipe]

haha

[dl2009]

He stuck me on as a substitute

When he saw it was time for a change

I kicked the ball and hit the corner flag

Rafa screamed in vain

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Kuyt is the only one who can do the lone striker and even then he is nowhere near ideal.

 

If Kuyt does go lone striker I think we need both Gerrard and Aquilani in the team.

[Billy Talbot]

Kuyt is the only one who can do the lone striker and even then he is nowhere near ideal.

 

If Kuyt does go lone striker I think we need both Gerrard and Aquilani in the team.

 

 

Innit. Either :

 

------------- Kuyt ----------

 

Babel - Aquilani - Gerrard

 

----- Lucas --------- Masch

 

 

Or

 

------------- Kuyt ----------

 

Babel - Aquilani - Maxi

 

Gerrard ------ Masch

 

 

They're the only 2 choices for me. N'Gog and Benayoun to play as subs. If we suffer any more injuries were really f***ed.

 

That's it really isn't it? Our first team attack / midfield. f*** me we need players.