Are we wasting a shirt playing a "9" every week?

[pfim]

If Pickford continues to hoof it at a number 9 we dont have then having a false 9 can be no worse.

I truly believe if Ndiaye was there the ball would stick more. Certainly if it's played to feet.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

I imagine Moyes has got to be sick of the "what ifs" with us and forwards.

Splash the cash, man.

 

[Achilles Heel]

We have to change the profile of our strikers. The big number 9 is fine but we have no other style of play with footballers of that profile. Ffs Everton get a mobile 5'10 to 6ft striker that can create his own chances as well as finish them.

 

[Davideeyore]

We supplied the world with Dixie Dean. Tommy Lawton, Bob Latchford, and a few more. Now we showcase the world Sandro, Maupay, Beto and Barry.

 

[Joey66]

We supplied the world with Dixie Dean. Tommy Lawton, Bob Latchford, and a few more. Now we showcase the world Sandro, Maupay, Beto and Barry.

In eras of success we have had great no 9s .....Dean, Lawton, Hickson, Pickering The GV & Vernon Royle . Latch, Sharpy & Gray etc .... Ferguson & Rideout all fetched silverware in ....or almost did the Latch the exception, but what a CF -

We went to games knowing most we would win - not with those two clowns we have not fit to lace the above's boots ....

 

[slipstream86]

I started making a spreadsheet a while back with some data from our strikers signed over the last 10 years, and just some basic statistical analysis makes some grim reading. Numbers in euros.

We’ve spent a total of €203.7, with a net of €72.5m. That 72.5m has bought us a total of 142 league goals which doesn’t sound too bad until you bring strike rate into it…142 goals in 704 games gives an average of approx 0.2 goals per game for those strikers which is appalling. Considering that typically 2 strikers play a part during each game that means our strikers are contributing 0.4 goals per league game….Given strikers supposedly score around 40% of goals league-wide, proportionally our team could expect to score 38 goals per season from all positions….barely above the average goals scored to secure 17th place or higher which is 36.7. Basically any season that hasn’t been a relegation scrap over the past 10 years can statistically be attributed to performances from elsewhere on the pitch. If it wasn’t already obvious, our striker portfolio has been championship standard.

Seeming as we didn’t actually get relegated during that time, and actually had a couple of ok seasons mixed in, it’s clear that bigger contributions to the success of the team are coming from other areas of the pitch than upfront. It could be argued therefore that ‘bang for buck’ just doesn’t support investment in strikers and that more meaningful value can be had with strengthening other positions. Forgive the perverse comparison, but peak city played without a recognised number 9 for years didn’t they.

 

[TheNinja]

Yes. They're absolute dog dirt unfortunately. Might as well play Dibling or George up there, wouldn't be any worse off.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

That's basically what he did with Cahill and Fellaini.

Was fairly successful if I remember right. Think that was more out of necessity at the time but surprised he never used this option this season. Maybe would be too much of a statement saying he thinks neither is good enough.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

Was fairly successful if I remember right. Think that was more out of necessity at the time but surprised he never used this option this season. Maybe would be too much of a statement saying he thinks neither is good enough.

Don't think anyone's of Cahill or Fellaini's caliber either to be honest. Quality, quality players.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

I started making a spreadsheet a while back with some data from our strikers signed over the last 10 years,

This is wild

 

[riddick]

I imagine Moyes has got to be sick of the "what ifs" with us and forwards.

Splash the cash, man.

Moyes is the reason we HAVE the "what ifs".

Straight up, do we even HAVE a 3rd striker anywhere? Like even the reserves?

 

[supertoffee98]

No point playing a winger or 10 as a 9 unless their legs have gone. George apparently has had a few games as a number 9 so I'd say maybe try him there. But Ndiaye is too creative across the pitch to put as a 9, we need creative wingers like him just as much.

 

[Walter Ego]

Get Keane up top. Can’t though because it’d make everyone involved in buying our strikers look stupid.

 

[Walter Ego]

No point playing a winger or 10 as a 9 unless their legs have gone. George apparently has had a few games as a number 9 so I'd say maybe try him there. But Ndiaye is too creative across the pitch to put as a 9, we need creative wingers like him just as much.

We would also have to play a winger who isn’t ready And that’s one square peg too many for Moyes.

 

[Bluerover]

....and where are Everton in the list of European and Premier clubs chasing Troy Parrott?