Our strike force

[Bob Weasel Fox]

i hope and i think Beckford will play better when Nugent is alongside him in a 442 formation. Beckford was anonymous today, but maybe because of our formation?

[Thracian]

We're missing Nugent massively. Him and Beckford will run riot in this division. The problem with Vassell is he now seems to drift and not know whether he's a striker or a winger. Beckford and Nugent are two out and out forwards, who I think will link up superbly. If it clicks then they could compliment each other superbly.

They're as good as it gets in this league but take me through the source of supply....

[Happy Fox]

I still believe we are a winger or two short from really destroying the opposition, the loan period will last now to the new year if we decide to get one in.

[gazfox9]

They're as good as it gets in this league but take me through the source of supply....

I'd have to agree thus far the service to the front lads hasn't been of the required standard, and certainly needs to improve. Beckford and Nugent together tho will still cause problems for most sides in this league with basic service. Even long, straight kicks from Schmeichel will probably result in the goals with them playing off each others flicks.

[bettso]

Why don't 'old fashioned wingers' work?

What are you basing this on?

Young, Nani, Wright Phillips, Cristiano, Mata, Kebe, ......

There's loads that get the ball, dribble with pace and deliver a cross. Many cut inside to score... These type of players ( and yes I cited some top players in the list) are crucial to how their respective clubs play.

It's just about finding them... IMO I would always play Lloyd Dyer. It's a shame that City have let some good ones go too.. Gradel and Ash Chambers being two good examples of players who can play this way and who have good potential for real improvement

I don't getcha?

Only the very top teams play with wingers as they can afford the best ones. At our level, there are no good wingers so nobody plays with them. Those that do are often entertaining to watch but dont ever get anywhere.

Our first choice strikeforce is Nugent and Beckford. Until we see them play together we cant really judge our strike force.

[blueredswed]

Well, Sven's been here nearly a full season. If he's not happy with Dyer - and Dyer quite often makes something happen for all his limitations - then he's had plenty of time to get someone else. But like Pearson and so many others before him, he doesn't seem to believe in them.

And yet there is no way he'll get the best out of Beckford/Nugent/Schlupp without them.

And no way people like King or Johnson will have the passing options without them either.

Well, Pearson went and I can soon see Sven heading the same way. Defenders need to be spread out and run at.

Thracian you are joking aren´t you?

If not it´s sad to say don´t visit Leicester Blue as you not is a loyal leicester fans try Coventry or Nottingham instead perhaps the last one could be something for you!

Come on BLUE one point today is better then none :scarf:

[liamsm]

Yes Matt it does... The service and the formation... Too slow, too little width... This is as clear as crystal to me

I agree 100%

[liamsm]

Why all the gloom, they played well and sure, the team can still be tinkered with but this is Cardiff away we are talking about.

Compared to where we we're a month ago there has been major improvement.

There has not been a major improvement in the goals for column

[panky and our gang]

I have never understood Sven's reluctance to play Dyer . He has pace and does at least score goals . How many times did he come on as a sub last season and change the game in our favour ? At least he adds a bit of width and can run at defenses and gives 100% every game . I think all this talk about when Nugent is fit and plays along side Beckford we will see lots of goals is a bit premature . They have to have the service first and at the moment I don't see our midfield providing that . Oh well I just hope I'm wrong .

[Dan]

I have never understood Sven's reluctance to play Dyer . He has pace and does at least score goals . How many times did he come on as a sub last season and change the game in our favour ? At least he adds a bit of width and can run at defenses and gives 100% every game . I think all this talk about when Nugent is fit and plays along side Beckford we will see lots of goals is a bit premature . They have to have the service first and at the moment I don't see our midfield providing that . Oh well I just hope I'm wrong .

Dyer has pace and the square root of fvck all else, well, maybe I'm a tad harsh, his finishing's never been too shabby.

Mind you, what the hell can we do? Play with one winger? I've never seen a formation like it.

Dyer doesn't offer enough for me, yes he has pace but rarely uses it. I can see why people like him but I think at the end of the day he offers not enough, his all-round game is awful.

However, his pace is of such a high standard he should be on the bench every game, even just running to fvcking nowhere at that speed late on can cause absolute havoc for defences. Not a starter, but an ideal sub.

[cardifflee]

Whats wrong with you people ????

beckford-awesome

Vassell will score goals

Nuggent - will score goals all day long

So many people talking S@@@ on here were not gonna change in to man Utd over night this time last year we were bottom of the league

Wake up and put some positive spin on this or would you rather be where we were last year??????

[Adster]

Wright-Phillips is utter turd.

I've agreed with everything you've said so far. But this is ridiculous

As Col said, he is not and never will be 'turd'.

[Criggers]

After reading this thread there is one thing in common with it and what I was thinking watching Cardiff yesterday...

"WHY DON'T THEY CROSS THE BALL INTO THE ****ING BOX?!?!?!?!?!?!"

It is surely no coincidence that after 93 mins of play we hit the bar from what was probably the best cross of the game. The few other times balls were whipped in there were chances, I particularly remember Beckford close to getting his head on one.

I also admit that I am no football expert but even I was frustrated seeing the lack of movement and slooooow passing coming through our midfield. It truly was amazing to see Johnson come on and look authoritative on the ball, try to inject pace in movement and in passing and was clearly itching to find room for a shot on goal.

I agree with a post above (not sure about the the 'goal ratings' mind) by Thracian though that there is not enough goal threat in the team. Seriously, what team in this league is going to be bothered about King/Wellens having the ball on the edge of the box? All they have to do is mark up and the ball is only going one way. Backwards.

[Guest Col city fan]

After reading this thread there is one thing in common with it and what I was thinking watching Cardiff yesterday...

"WHY DON'T THEY CROSS THE BALL INTO THE ****ING BOX?!?!?!?!?!?!"

It is surely no coincidence that after 93 mins of play we hit

the bar from what was probably the best cross of the game. The few other times balls were whipped in there were chances, I particularly remember Beckford close to getting his head on one.

I also admit that I am no football expert but even I was frustrated seeing the lack of movement and slooooow passing coming through our midfield. It truly was amazing to see Johnson come on and look authoritative on the ball,

try to inject pace in movement and in passing and was clearly itching to find room for a shot on goal.

I agree with a post above (not sure about the the 'goal ratings' mind) by Thracian though that there is not enough goal threat in the team. Seriously, what team in this league is going to be bothered about King/Wellens having the ball on the edge of the box? All they have to do is mark up and

the ball is only going one way. Backwards.

Very good post and I agree. To answer your question, the diamond formation involves a lack of width in the final third. It utilises a short passing game with chances hopefully being created through the centre with the attacking midfielder running on to support the front two

It's about quick, accurate passing with ball to feet until the correct pass can be slotted through to the front two.

I don't like it personally because I'm a four four fookin two man, in the straight sense of playing with two nippy wingers and getting crosses in early (preferably drilled) for the front pairing to latch on to. In this system the full backs do what they are best at doing... Defending

Therefore we either aren't playing the system that Sven wants us to play very well OR we don't have the calibre of player to play the system. The problem is that he has not brought in wide men of sufficient quality to be able to use a flat four four two if he decided to change it. Although as I've always maintained I'd play Lloyd Dyer every game.

HOWEVER.. ON A POSITIVE NOTE... its a new system and Sven may get it spot on....

[Dan]

Whats wrong with you people ????

beckford-awesome

Vassell will score goals

Nuggent - will score goals all day long

So many people talking S@@@ on here were not gonna change in to man Utd over night this time last year we were bottom of the league

Wake up and put some positive spin on this or would you rather be where we were last year??????

Beckford - 0 in 3.

Vassell - 1 in 5.

Nugent - 2 in 4.

Equalling 3 in 12.

1 in 4.

Don't get me wrong, I like them, but that is NOT a deadly strike force based on that. Vassell "will score goals" really? I'll be amazed if he ends up on 10. Not saying he's a bad player he just simply isn't a goalscorer.

[liamsm]

Whats wrong with you people ????

beckford-awesome

Vassell will score goals

Nuggent - will score goals all day long

So many people talking S@@@ on here were not gonna change in to man Utd over night this time last year we were bottom of the league

Wake up and put some positive spin on this or would you rather be where we were last year??????

Beckford might be awesome if we can supply him with the ball

Vassell is to greedy and wouldn't score goals against Accrington Stanley

[shade]

Only the very top teams play with wingers as they can afford the best ones. At our level, there are no good wingers so nobody plays with them. Those that do are often entertaining to watch but dont ever get anywhere.

Our first choice strikeforce is Nugent and Beckford. Until we see them play together we cant really judge our strike force.

is this really true, so there are hardly ANY professional footballers of a reasonable standard that can run fast in a straight line, maybe take the ball past ONE defender and then cross the ball reasonably well into the box? not bigging myself up, but I can defo do that, and I'll play for a grand a week.

[connor_19]

I think Nugent will be our Becchio, and do the leg work for Beckford. Still think we need a creative midfielder/winger to get the ball in the box and attack defenders, Vassell too inconsistent.