4 strikers - is it enough?

[Wooders]

with Robbie and RSC looking certain to head for the door - Bellers out on loan - and Ceicedo being touted about to other clubs that leaves us with

JO
Ballotelli
Tevez
Ade

Do we have enough strikers? Its going to be a long season and one or two injuries to key strikers will leave us somewhat light in that dept ?

[Beeks]

with Robbie and RSC looking certain to head for the door - Bellers out on loan - and Ceicedo being touted about to other clubs that leaves us with

JO
Ballotelli
Tevez
Ade

Do we have enough strikers? Its going to be a long season and one or two injuries to key strikers will leave us somewhat light in that dept ?

You forgot Ibra/Dzeko on the last day of the transfer window ;-)

[ant london]

No it's not enough and, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that our business is not done

[kinkylola]

I also hope that mancini will take some early cup rounds to blood guidetti and nimely. When you factor those two in as young back up ... it really is enough, I think.

[Beefymcfc]

If we could say Jo is a striker in the same ilk as the rest then I'd say 'Yes', 4 strikers are good enough for any club.

How many did we play on Monday?

[CityGer]

No it's not enough and, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that our business is not done

Aye, I said in the transfer thread a few days ago that I'd be surprised at Bobby, with all this cash at his disposal, going in to such an important season with Ade and a young kid as our only viable target man options. Him playing Carlos up top on his own against Spurs and Liverpool has changed my view slightly but I still wouldn't be surprised at all to see more movement, in and out, around our striking options.

[craigmcfc]

I don't think it's enough but I honestly think we're done in this window. All gossip on any incoming players has all but ended and I think what we have is it.

[Ted Hughes]

If you look at how we've tried to have 2 for each position the CF spot doesn't match up. We don't really have ONE real genuine centre forward (other than mostly injured & soon to be gone RSC). They're also not the most reliable bunch; Ade, Jo, Balotelli. Talented players of course but hardly guaranteed performers & Ade is already a little bit miffed at becoming a squad player.

Perhaps it's just the case that none of the players available to sign are considered an improvement so we have no choice.

If that changes we could still see a last ditch signing imo.

[ScapeGoat]

I don't think we'll sign anyone else this transfer window. If we did sign another striker, Ade would surely be off, so we'd end up with the same number. It's obvious Mancini likes to play one up front, so unless Ade forces a move and Santa leaves as well, I don't see us bringing anyone else in.

[Dameerto]

If he plans to stick to 4-3-3 it's enough. Would still love to see Dzeko come here at the last minute though.

[The Man In Blue]

thought we had about 50-odd according to the press?

maybe mancio has seen something in one of the young 'uns.

[ruralblue]

Last day of transfer window I think we will do a deal with Ibra and Robinho going the other way. Could be a swap loan deal till end of season but have that feeling something will happen.

[Ted Hughes]

I don't think we'll sign anyone else this transfer window. If we did sign another striker, Ade would surely be off, so we'd end up with the same number. It's obvious Mancini likes to play one up front, so unless Ade forces a move and Santa leaves as well, I don't see us bringing anyone else in.

Traditionally Mancini has used more than one system & always had a big CF at Inter. It could be the case that we'll play two up front tonight or at least two strikers in the team.

[Rammyblue]

With playing 433 and looking at the line up against the dippers monday night IMO we have more than enough even if we allowed Robinho and RSC to leave. From a tactical point of view it appears (and I know it sounds daft) but the forward three can be drawn from the following

Ade
Silva
Tevez
SWP
Milner
Jo
Balotelli
AJ

As for the defensive three they could be drawn from the following

NDJ
Barry
Milner
Yaya
M Johnson (when fit)
Kompany
Vierra


IMO we have moved away from static roles to players being versatile.

[mr_nool]

With playing 433 and looking at the line up against the dippers monday night IMO we have more than enough even if we allowed Robinho and RSC to leave. From a tactical point of view it appears (and I know it sounds daft) but the forward three can be drawn from the following

Ade
Silva
Tevez
SWP
Milner
Jo
Balotelli
AJ

As for the defensive three they could be drawn from the following

NDJ
Barry
Milner
Yaya
M Johnson (when fit)
Kompany
Vierra


IMO we have moved away from static roles to players being versatile.

I agree with this. We have 3 players, Ade, Jo and Balotelli, who can play the traditional CF role (4 if you count Tevez). As second striker Tevez and Silva can be used, or any other of the three mentioned above. If we play 4-3-3 you can add Adam Johnson and Milner as "attacking options".

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

If you look at how we've tried to have 2 for each position the CF spot doesn't match up. We don't really have ONE real genuine centre forward (other than mostly injured & soon to be gone RSC). They're also not the most reliable bunch; Ade, Jo, Balotelli. Talented players of course but hardly guaranteed performers & Ade is already a little bit miffed at becoming a squad player.

Perhaps it's just the case that none of the players available to sign are considered an improvement so we have no choice.

If that changes we could still see a last ditch signing imo.

The crap that he was saying the other day, I wouldn't trust Ade much and in fact would be looking to sell him. He was admitting being "upset" when he was on the bench against Spurs and also talked how his values and interests in life have changed since the shooting incident. Which is all understandable but from our point of view that sounds like someone talking who is mentally quite there.

Personally I would sell Ade (and RSC of course) and buy one quality centerforward. Whether that quality centerforward is Dzeko or Benzema or Ibrahimovic or someone else if of course up for debate. Straight swap for Benzema would make most sense since Real are apparently interested of Ade.

[Beeks]

Straight swap for Benzema would make most sense since Real are apparently interested of Ade.

Red Cafe would implode if we signed him...that particular love affair has been going on longer than when they were after Silva!

[Guy Debord]

I think Mancini will stick with his 433 a system that's often 4-3-3-0 when Tevez drifts deep.

Four's probably enough considering we often won't really use them and we have Ade and Mario on the bench.

[john@staustell]

4 strikers is enough if you include Jo, who has yet to convince me. Especially seeing we usually only play one. Plus I am led to believe Mr Milner can play that position as well as his many others.

Still wouldn't be surprised at a last day mega-signing, nor for RSC to stay and Jo to go out on loan.

[Ted Hughes]

Everyone who's saying we'll stick with a 4-3-3 system; we don't really play 4-3-3 now & won't neccessarily play or stick with 4-3-3 in any game let alone all season. If Mancini sticks with 4-3-3 every game it will be for the 1st time in his life.