2025/26 Thierno Barry

[Blue Neon]

A strikers job is to score goals, everything else is secondary. People called Berbatov lazy because he didn't run round much, yet he knew where the goal was and didn't need fifty chances to hit the net. If we had a striker who could put the ball in the net 20+ times a season no one would care about pace or stamina or work rate.

Utd had and have better players than us.

 

[hetion]

A strikers job is to score goals, everything else is secondary. People called Berbatov lazy because he didn't run round much, yet he knew where the goal was and didn't need fifty chances to hit the net. If we had a striker who could put the ball in the net 20+ times a season no one would care about pace or stamina or work rate.

To be fair people constantly moaned about Lukaku being lazy lol

 

[Ring master]

Don't think we can afford to tbh. Not sure we can afford to keep playing Beto atm either hoping that he finds the back of the net, but at least he looks more robust and mobile.

He's got to look like he has some intent and get himself into a game (Barry). I watch his highlights video once a week to convince myself we haven't bought another dud striker.

I was beginning to wonder have we done a "George Weah cousin" situation, as to me he had done nothing that for some reason to me makes people think he deserves to play. Just doing anything would be a start, I dont get this give him a run in the side stuff when he has looked truly not even a football player pretty much the whole time hes been with us

 

[DualityNSNO]

To be fair people constantly moaned about Lukaku being lazy lol

And to be fair Berbatov was incredibly lazy. Technically incredibly gifted but rarely wanted to do the "hard yards", if ever, in his entire career.

 

[Titus Shambles]

Utd had and have better players than us.

The point wasn't about United, it was about having strikers who can score goals even if people think they're "lazy", and right now Woltemade is doing that whereas our two jokers couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo. I know which striker I'd rather have in the team.

To be fair people constantly moaned about Lukaku being lazy lol

Aye, you're not wrong, but some turnips like to complain no matter what. Complaining about probably the best No9 we've had in the Prem era, and certainly our leading scorer because "he only puts the ball in the net" is peak buffoonery and typical of some 'fans'. I don't listen to the turnips.

And to be fair Berbatov was incredibly lazy. Technically incredibly gifted but rarely wanted to do the "hard yards", if ever, in his entire career.

Just because someone doesn't run around the pitch for 90mins doesn't make them 'lazy' IMO. Any League Two plodder can do that and be called "a hard worker". One could argue Berba was the opposite of lazy because he was smarter than most players and could produce a more significant output with less effort. I guess it depends what you think 'lazy' is, but either way he scored goals and won trophies which is exactly what he was in the team to do.

 

[DualityNSNO]

Just because someone doesn't run around the pitch for 90mins doesn't make them 'lazy' IMO. Any League Two plodder can do that and be called "a hard worker". One could argue Berba was the opposite of lazy because he was smarter than most players and could produce a more significant output with less effort. I guess it depends what you think 'lazy' is, but either way he scored goals and won trophies which is exactly what he was in the team to do.

I've watched him during his entire career, national team and all, and the common and obvious criticism is that he never ran a lot - it's also something he has admitted himself to not like. So I'm using the fact he didn't like running and pressing as being lazy, which is as fair as saying he was a gifted technically footballer who never stopped improving in that department, and in fact "still has it" judging by some recent benefit/charity matches they've done (also Stoichkov's got a golden touch for his age). He did win thins and he was awesome, but he was always, ALWAYS, paired with someone willing to do the running part for him.

It's also why he's not really loved for his national team form as we needed someone to lead in tough times and him hiding and waiting for the ball up top was frustrating - the exact opposite of Lewandowski for Poland currently.

 

[Titus Shambles]

I've watched him during his entire career, national team and all, and the common and obvious criticism is that he never ran a lot - it's also something he has admitted himself to not like. So I'm using the fact he didn't like running and pressing as being lazy, which is as fair as saying he was a gifted technically footballer who never stopped improving in that department, and in fact "still has it" judging by some recent benefit/charity matches they've done (also Stoichkov's got a golden touch for his age). He did win thins and he was awesome, but he was always, ALWAYS, paired with someone willing to do the running part for him.

It's also why he's not really loved for his national team form as we needed someone to lead in tough times and him hiding and waiting for the ball up top was frustrating - the exact opposite of Lewandowski for Poland currently.

I was merely using Berbatov as an example of a goal scoring striker being more important/desireable than one who runs around a lot or works hard but can't actually deliver on the number one thing they are in the team to do. Darwin Nunez "worked hard" for Liverpool but was shipped out because he didn't get the goals. Jackson at Chelsea same story: works hard for the team but not prolific so out he goes. If Woltemade scores 20 goals this season and Newcastle get top 4 or a trophy, no one will care about his work rate. If Beto bangs in 20 goals no one will care if he runs around like a headless chicken etc etc.

 

[roy vernon]

Feck the pair of them out and play Ndiaye up top, or, as the central part of a front 3 in a 4-3-3.

 

[Blue Neon]

Feck the pair of them out and play Ndiaye up top, or, as the central part of a front 3 in a 4-3-3.

I've been spouting something similar for weeks. Have recently sent in an email direct to David Moyes backroom. suggesting the same formation as you BUT - Playing Charly thru the middle as a 9 with Jack and Illiman either side in a flat 3. Could be tried around 60mins in the right game, hopefully sooner than later. Granted we may have to play a bit more on the floor but may surprise a few people. At least he's got a positioning brain and an eye for goal.

 

[RomanReigns]

woltemade and kroupi are scoring goals

how long do we give him

 

[james2805]

Well he can, because he does.

Judged on 223 minutes of football across 8 games.

 

[Nymzee]

Judged on 223 minutes of football across 8 games.

When are we allowed to start evaluating a players performance? Are you saying he’s played better than Beto so far?

 

[Efcjake]

I've been spouting something similar for weeks. Have recently sent in an email direct to David Moyes backroom. suggesting the same formation as you BUT - Playing Charly thru the middle as a 9 with Jack and Illiman either side in a flat 3. Could be tried around 60mins in the right game, hopefully sooner than later. Granted we may have to play a bit more on the floor but may surprise a few people. At least he's got a positioning brain and an eye for goal.

Like this idea mate. Can we see the email?

 

[Eggs]

Feck the pair of them out and play Ndiaye up top, or, as the central part of a front 3 in a 4-3-3.

….Ndiaye hasn’t looked anywhere near as effective in central positions (playing at no10), can’t see that scenario myself. If such an experiment is to be tried, then Alcaraz looks more suited, especially as his best form is playing central and he’s decent in the air.

Personally, I think we just need an effective new striker.

 

[Bluebonic]

To be fair people constantly moaned about Lukaku being lazy lol

And Bob Latchford!