Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[RussellC]

I made a direct comparison between Walters and Gabby. You asked me how many goals Walters scored last season. When it was apparent that it was more than Gabby you changed tack on the point you were making. And if we're not comparing their scoring record, what are we comparing? Assists?

I wasn't asking in comparison to Gabby's, I was asking in general because I don't rate the bloke. You made the comparison, not me. Besides, you also mentioned a striker who last played for us in 1935 but to save you further embarrassment, let's gloss over that one.

The whole conversation was based on a comparison between our strikeforce and Stoke's. If you're getting confused it's quite simple to go back page-by-page and re-read the posts.

[Clampy]

If we had the midfield capable of supplying our forwards on a regular basis, then we wouldn't be in the bottom half.

I agree with this, which is kind of why I disagreed with your original post. When you say "forward options" that I include all attacking options, which our midfield largely don't.

If you're talking specifically about centre-forwards, then you may be right.

At last, he's got the original point. It's only taken two hours.

[RussellC]

If we had the midfield capable of supplying our forwards on a regular basis, then we wouldn't be in the bottom half.

I agree with this, which is kind of why I disagreed with your original post. When you say "forward options" that I include all attacking options, which our midfield largely don't.

If you're talking specifically about centre-forwards, then you may be right.

At last, he's got the original point. It's only taken two hours.

Maybe if I come back in about another 2 you'll have worked out that I still disagree with it?

[Clampy]

I made a direct comparison between Walters and Gabby. You asked me how many goals Walters scored last season. When it was apparent that it was more than Gabby you changed tack on the point you were making. And if we're not comparing their scoring record, what are we comparing? Assists?

I wasn't asking in comparison to Gabby's, I was asking in general because I don't rate the bloke. You made the comparison, not me. Besides, you also mentioned a striker who last played for us in 1935 but to save you further embarrassment, let's gloss over that one.

The whole conversation was based on a comparison between our strikeforce and Stoke's.

Exactly and I believe I said that i'd rather have our fit front three of Gabby, Weimann and Bent than theirs and so did a few others.

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You really think there is a better centre forward in the bottom half than Benteke? I would have a strong argument if I had asked if there is a better centre forward in the country than Benteke.

[Clampy]

If we had the midfield capable of supplying our forwards on a regular basis, then we wouldn't be in the bottom half.

I agree with this, which is kind of why I disagreed with your original post. When you say "forward options" that I include all attacking options, which our midfield largely don't.

If you're talking specifically about centre-forwards, then you may be right.

At last, he's got the original point. It's only taken two hours.

Maybe if I come back in about another 2 you'll have worked out that I still disagree with it?

Come back in two hours time and you'll still have no idea what you're disagreeing with.

[RussellC]

It's ok, I figured-out how to go back a few pages. It's this;

"We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half."

[Clampy]

It's ok, I figured-out how to go back a few pages. It's this;

"We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half."

Then you brought up Crouch, Odemwingie and Walters.

[LeeB]

Stoke finished top half anyway, so you can all fuck off as far as I'm concerned.

[Clampy]

It's ok, I figured-out how to go back a few pages. It's this;

"We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half."

Anyway, for the risk of boring people, let's leave it there.

[RussellC]

You really think there is a better centre forward in the bottom half than Benteke? I would have a strong argument if I had asked if there is a better centre forward in the country than Benteke.

No, I agree with you on that. It's the totality of our "forward options" that I think is inferior to some other clubs in that group. Stoke (and I know I'm harping on about them) have Arnautović, a player who should comfortably chip-in with 5 goals and 7-10 assists next season. He's not a centre-forward, but am I wrong in including him in their 'forward options'? Similarly Newcastle have Ben Arfa and Cabella, Swansea have Dyer. Palace are on the verge of signing Sigurdsson!!?!

There is no-one in our squad who I would expect to do that, and I include N'Zogbia and Cole in that too.

[RussellC]

It's ok, I figured-out how to go back a few pages. It's this;

"We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half."

Anyway, for the risk of boring people, let's leave it there.

Agreed. It's 32 degrees where am I and I hate the heat, so I'm probably just arguing myself round in circles. Apologies.

[Clampy]

It's ok, I figured-out how to go back a few pages. It's this;

"We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half."

Anyway, for the risk of boring people, let's leave it there.

Agreed. It's 32 degrees where am I and I hate the heat, so I'm probably just arguing myself round in circles. Apologies.

Not a problem, it's been a hoot.

[paul_e]

If we had the midfield capable of supplying our forwards on a regular basis, then we wouldn't be in the bottom half.

I agree with this, which is kind of why I disagreed with your original post. When you say "forward options" that I include all attacking options, which our midfield largely don't.

If you're talking specifically about centre-forwards, then you may be right. Although, as a starting pair, I still think Bony and Gomis will score a lot of goals next season.

Bony is less likely to play for Swansea than Kozak and Benteke are to play for us but you complained about us including them.  if they keep him then I agree Swansea have a good pair of forwards, neither are on the level of Benteke though and Gomis is new to the league and a, roughly, 1 in 3 striker in a weaker league so is probably on a par with Kozak.  If we can get some sort of form from the other 3 as well they're got nothing like those options in reserve.

Forward options is literally options to play as forwards, so in direct response we have better options to play as forwards than anyone other than: Man city, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U - and I think it's pretty close with Arsenal.

That a lot of that rests on the fact that we have a guy who is one of the best strikers in the league doesn't matter.  Our team has a lot of goals in it, if we can find a way of making the most of that potential we'll be pushing for a European place rather than worrying about relegation.

I happen to think we've got a decent amount of goals acorss the team now, Bacuna and Richardson both look well capable of scoring, Delph and Westwood showed last year they they can chip in with a few and I'd expect Cole and Nzog to get a few each as well.  If Gardner can stay fit and force his way in he's always had a good scoring record at whatever level he's played and I'd back him to continue that.

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If it helps, when I said forward line, I was meaning strikers. I would inlcude Gabby and Andi in that, as that is what they are, even if they have been played out wide.