Finding a striking partner for Darren Bent

[Monty]

Yes I agree with this. Also its about having the options to change it around. I like 4-3-3 and in certain examples of it offers the most flexibility but the option to revert to 4-4-2 is also desirable.

But going back to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and how I'd like to see it employed.
It firstly requires full backs to support the attack as the three in midfield would be isolated. It requires one defensive minded midfielder or better still, two box to box types behind a playmaker. The wide men need to be able to tuck back to protect their full backs but also support the striker. This asks quite a lot of them but they're paramount to it working or not.

Essentially I agree, though the option of two creative types, one advanced and one deep, with a box-to-box type providing energy is how I'd prefer to balance the three, like that classic Milan three of Pirlo, Seedorf and Ambrosini (though Gattuso was hovering around the team as a more orthodox defensive player as well). However, more than that we have to try and get to a situation where, although all players have strengths and weaknesses, everyone can sort of do everyone else's job. We got a glimpse of that yesterday when Makoun broke forward and slipped in Bent for the (wrongly) disallowed goal. And not just with the ball, but without as well - everyone must have the energy to press high and tenaciously. Look at Barca - often no midfielder over 5'9'', but they scrap so much and have so much energy they just nip in and tackle you before you realise you had the ball at all.

In short, we shouldn't go for an old-style specialist playmaker, a Riquelme or even Pastore of the new generation. That limits your creative options on the ball and causes you to have less defensive energy. We need to play as a team - in all scenarios.

[eastie]

I'd expect GED to be very busy this summer wheeling and dealing with many ins and outs, to play his system well he needs the right kind of players, decent overlapping full backs, central defenders comfortable in possession and an attacking blend in midfield to partner makoun.


If he gets in the players who can play the system well then next year could be very exciting.

[Bad English]

A striking partner? I'd vote for Monica Bellucci but she's already taken.

[DeKuip]

To be honest the more I see of Darren Bent the more I worry, but because of what we paid for him he's going to have to be the answer.
Yes, his goals record is very good, but he does need all the work done for him. He's good at reacting to a loose ball in the box, but in general build up play he needs the inch perfect pass all the time. His technique isn't good enough to turn a slightly wayward through ball to his advantage. An example of that was in the first half yesterday (and it's not the first time) where Ashley Young played a ball in from behind him that came at pace and a bit too high - it just bounced off Bent. The other week I saw Roman Pavluchenko turn a similar pass into an opportunity by being able to react to it and quickly adapt his body shape to control it.
Kevin Phillips is another top class striker who would have turned a simliar over-hit pass to his advantage.
Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-Bent, his goals will always argue for him, maybe it's just that we paid so much.
As for a partner? No reason why Gabby or Heskey couldn't work well with him as they both work defenders hard and work hard for the team cause. I think any decent striker would enjoy playing alongside Heskey for that very reason.
Long term, I'm hoping Fonz gets his chance too.

[Olneythelonely]

I think Darren Bent is the last person we need to worry about.

[not3bad]

I think next season we'll have options.  Gabby is improving in the role he's been given and put in a good shift yesterday.  Gary Gardner, Barry Bannan, Fabian Delph, Nathan Delfounso and Marc Albrighton will all hopefully be ready to play a part.

[UsualSuspect]

Shouldn't we have enough creativity in the team with Young, Downing and Albrighton often playing?

To me it's more a question of build up play.

For example when Barry was here he was always very good at moving the ball quickl;y to he wide players and keeping them involved in the game so very often he'd get it out early to Young who'd be one on one with the defender.

For most of this season it's taken a bleeding age for the ball to get to the wide players from the central two so when they get it there's often two or three defenders surrounding them so the pass very often gets overhit.

It worked better at Everton last week as Downing got the cross in early and Young for once actually didn't overhit a throughball so we got two goals from Bent.

I couldn't have put it better myself

4-5-1 becoming a 4-3-3

We have loads of pace in the side but fanny about that much getting the ball forward it's never used

[ktvillan]

Bent needs someone who can spot his clever runs early enough for him to remain onside or unmarked and with the ability to play the pass as well.  Downing and Young do this on occasion. Gabby can't or won't do it. He had the ball wide yesterday he failed to spot Bent losing his man in the centre (or ignored it) and instead of playing a crisp pass into Bent, he overhit a soppy cross to Dowing at the far post.  We could do with a central midfielder/playmaker or two who can thread it thorugh a bit more like Makoun did yesterday and like Barry used to do.  Bannan and Delph are probably capable.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I just remember Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. Shame we don't have a young Dwight Yorke to play with Bent as he is probably best option for us. Craig Bellamy could be a short term solution 

[Concrete John]

I just remember Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. Shame we don't have a young Dwight Yorke to play with Bent as he is probably best option for us. Craig Bellamy could be a short term solution 

A young Yorke would be ideal.

Bellamy at any age would not, the little prick.

[barrysleftfoot]

  A Merson kind of player would be ideal.

  If we are really ambitious, go for Canales or  Gervinhio.Theres also a couple of young Argies who play in the Spanish lge, who look as if the have something about them.
 
  Otherwise, i would'nt be too disappointed with Sturridge, or go for an older playmaker like Aimar.

  Agree about Gabby, lacks the brains and touch to play in the free role.

[barrysleftfoot]

  After reading all the posts, i think PTV is right, Stephen Ireland could be the answer.

   Interesting that GH did'nt want a permanent agreement with Nooocastle.

  Good points by eastie, and an interesting insight in the Express.IF GH is allowed to carry on, i think we will benefit long term.

[Dave Cooper please]

Fucking hell, If Stephen Ireland is the answer then I really do not want to know the question.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Ireland as a footballer , is a good player, hes unfortunately for us, just completely schizophrenic.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Fucking hell, If Stephen Ireland is the answer then I really do not want to know the question.

Q: Your life in his hands