Where are the goals coming from?
A pertinent question given the lack of potency shown by the attacking duo of Corradi and Dickov on Monday night.
With Andrew Cole having departed, we are left with Corradi, Dickov, Samaras and Vassell as the attacking options to break us out of the goal drought we are currently experiencing.
Corradi looks a strong player with his back to goal, but needs the support of a genuine attacking midfielder - a 'fantasista' type player that he would have been used to back in Serie A. He may have success with Vassell (who linked with Cole well last season), but Vassell is a player who needs to be 100% confident to be a significant factor in a game.
Dickov is a player I didn't warm to first time round, and this time round he hasn't altered my opinion. He offers nothing in the way of attacking play or creativity and it frustrates me to see him cheered from the rafters for closing down a full-back. Yes, he is passionate and committed but is not the answer for me.
Samaras looked lively when he came on against Reading, and of the quartet he has the most potential to be the 'finisher' that we need. He is a big guy, but can move well with the ball and at least looks to head towards goal.
There was a comment posted recently on the site in response to my piece in the Observer which suggested Daniel Sturridge could get an opportunity against Chesterfield. I do think that he will see action at some stage during this season but I didn't expect it to be as a desperate measure.
If our attacking woes continue, it may be that Pearce has little other option.
5 comments:
Well once again city couldnt win 2 games in a row. Blackburn on Saturday is no easy place to go even if they are at the bottom of the league and West Ham have quality all over the park. I disagree with you said about Dickov and think he is useful in games against the likes of Aresenal where we have to pressure them when they are on the ball and make them force mistakes. Games like this where we have little or no possession is where he comes into his own. Its only when we play anyone out of the top 6 where we will have our own fair part of possession that he is no use as he will only get you a max of 6 goals a season. I think Sameras has to stand up and be counted for now at £6 million he looks like he can deliver in some games but then the next game he can be absolutley useless. Heres to along hard season of battle. Get it sorted Pearce and dont play Reyna!
Even though City is hamstrung by finaces, the purchase of Samaras for a high fee is killing the attacking options for the side.
Now with Cole gone and Vassel injured, where are the goals going to come from.
As an American who follows our national team very closely, I can say that Reyna is totally broken down at this point in his career and playing him on the left side in the Reading match was madness. DeMarcus has confidence issues since he had a difficult last season at PSV and a totally uneven World Cup, but he has the skill and savvy to help City stimulate some sort of attack.
By the way I discovered your blog from listening to Soccer Shout and as a die hard City fan living in the states I really appreaciate this website and all the anaylsis you are giving those of us like myself who cannot see every match or talk City Football with anyone around here!
Interesting with our goalscoring woes of late that Sibierski scored the only goal on his debut in Newcastle's UEFA game earlier!
Interesting with our goalscoring woes of late that Sibierski scored the only goal on his debut in Newcastle's UEFA game earlier!
Are you kidding? My goodness. With our luck it figures that would happen.
Along the same line, I am sure Cole will score goals in buckets for Pompey. It is just our bad luck.
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