Bolasie, Kebano, Mendez Laing

[DanBoro4499]

I'd be extremely pleased if we could keep these 3 for next season.

With what we have right now, I think if we binned off our 3 strikers for 2 competent ones we'd have a hell of a squad.

 

[Johnny Vincents Motorbike]

which 3 are you suggesting we 'bin off' - and who would be your suggestions as consideration for 'competent' striker replacements?



asking for 26,000 friends.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

The midfield are still not up to it. We were dominated again until they went a man down.

On the bright side we have Tav establishing himself, Johnson a capable sub, Watmore getting fitter all of the time and Dijksteel to come back.

Our periphery is looking good but the spine needs attention.

 

[FatCat]

If we can keep them get some strikers in we look decent - I’d actually have grant hall captain the side , oh and change the keeper.

 

[Boro4life]

Mendez most likely of them to stay he is kinda on the watmore trial , Bolasie could if he feels loved and Kebano if Fulham stay up we could possibly buy him

 

[NoloBoro]

Personally, I think the only reason they caused us any problems at all is because nothing sticks up front. I think we definitely have enough otherwise. A good target man and another striker and we’d have murdered Preston this evening. The only reason they were even in the game was our inability to hold the ball up front. Akpom had two balls put in his forehead that a competent striker would’ve finished. I wish his shot had gone in as it would’ve done wonders for his confidence. Having said that Tav did brilliantly to finish. Bolasie’s ability is clear to see. Enjoyed the match. UTB

 

[Ebor]

I'd keep Bolasie if we can, and sell all the duds for a half decent goal scoring forward and a goalie

 

[S7DiscoDown]

I'd like to keep all three of them.

I think NML is the most likely as without a club. I think this season is just about getting fit. He still looks pacy and direct enough for a guy who's not played for a year. Although I imagine he may get a few offers.

Bolasie is purley down to wages. He's also 31 with a poor injury record. I wouldnt break the bank or throw a 3 year deal at him. He will definitely have offers from home and abroad.

Kebano is simply down to what league Fulham are in. He seems to be enjoying himself with the large Congo contingent. He was a regular last season so I guess they'd want him again if relegated. A season loan would be fantastic

The one massive piece of the jigsaw we miss is a proper No9 target man. I watch us every week and think if we had a Kiefer Moore 'type' (or him) we would be completely different. We need a player who can win flicks and hold the ball up. You can see what they want Akpom to do but he's simply never going to he able to.

The lad from Bristol City would completely change the dimention of the team. Imagine having someone who could hold up a ball and laying it off to wingers on a counter. Every Warnock side ever has had a big No9. It's strange he's never had one with us (probably due to being stuck with 2 big earners).

 

[DanBoro4499]

which 3 are you suggesting we 'bin off' - and who would be your suggestions as consideration for 'competent' striker replacements?



asking for 26,000 friends.

Not too sure what warranted the cockiness wilf.

I was referring to the 3 centre forwards (britt, fletcher, akpom) - none of them are good enough for a side looking to get promoted, Fletcher as a backup at a push.

In terms of 2 new strikers, i'm not sure who specifically - hopefully people who have more of a presence / can hold the ball up etc. Still gutted Kiefer Moore chose Cardiff

 

[atypical_boro]

I can only see NML staying and obviously Britt/Fletcher are off as well as Bolasie/Kebano. Sadly, we still have a lot of work to do in the summer.

 

[Billy69_uk]

I for one wont be sad if/when Fletcher leaves. Last night was a great chance for him to show what he is about. Turns out, what he is about is to give away more free kicks than he has touches of the ball.

NML is still getting to fitness I think, but early signs are good. Bolassie and Kebano seem to be getting better and better as each game passes.

 

[Alzi]

The longer Fletcher is injured the better he always seems to get. Ultimately his 4 years here have been very underwhelming. Not his fault of course we horrendously overpaid for him (cheers Garry) but i've never felt he was one of the better strikers in the championship.

He has got a little bit better over the last couple of years but I'm sure Warnock can get us a better striker, he's a big bloke but not a target man. If he wants to take a big paycut and stay fair enough, he can stay as a squad player. If not, see you later.

 

[indeedido]

Not too sure what warranted the cockiness wilf.

I was referring to the 3 centre forwards (britt, fletcher, akpom) - none of them are good enough for a side looking to get promoted, Fletcher as a backup at a push.

In terms of 2 new strikers, i'm not sure whi specifically - hopefully people who have more of a presence / can hold the ball up etc. Still gutted Kiefer Moore chose Cardiff

I thought it a good OP.
Let Assombolonga and Fletcher walk as Warnock can and will get better players and much better value for money.
I would offload Akpom if possible, but it might be tricky given he is under contract and still on books at close to £2m to amortise still.

NML still has to prove he is worth a contract, but I think he will and will get one.
Same with Bolasie really.
Kebano is down to Fulham, he's their player, but I think he'd like to be here, especially in a promotion chasing team next season.

Key will be how to find those two strikers - you don't need more at this level playing our formation.

I do think Corcaigh raised a good point re midfield.
I like Morsy, but we do look light in their (Saville doesn't do it for me, though did well last night coming on against ten men)

I think we'll finish just outside but on a march for next season. Happier days.

 

[brain_in_a_jar]

I'm yet to be convinced by Kebano to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm missing something but I don't really see what he does.

Don't think him or bolasie have been any better than Marv to be honest.

 

[TheWolfman]

I'm yet to be convinced by Kebano to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm missing something but I don't really see what he does.

Don't think him or bolasie have been any better than Marv to be honest.

Agree they are easy on the eye but not much end product so far. If marv or spence had of put the crosses in bolasie did last night they would of been crucified. although his assist was a great cross. I would like to see kebano, bolasie and tav in the same team from the off i think tavs passing and movement would help both improve.

 

[Jonny_Rondos_Disco_pants]

Laing is a unit. When match fit I think he’ll be a right handful

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

I thought it a good OP.
Let Assombolonga and Fletcher walk as Warnock can and will get better players and much better value for money.
I would offload Akpom if possible, but it might be tricky given he is under contract and still on books at close to £2m to amortise still.

NML still has to prove he is worth a contract, but I think he will and will get one.
Same with Bolasie really.
Kebano is down to Fulham, he's their player, but I think he'd like to be here, especially in a promotion chasing team next season.

Key will be how to find those two strikers - you don't need more at this level playing our formation.

I do think Corcaigh raised a good point re midfield.
I like Morsy, but we do look light in their (Saville doesn't do it for me, though did well last night coming on against ten men)

I think we'll finish just outside but on a march for next season. Happier days.

Would pretty much agree with all of this. If Fulham stay up we'd be in a good position to keep Kebano. Bolasie seems to be enjoying his football, he's a quality player really. I'd like him to stick around. We do need a proper all-round midfielder, a proper No8. Our lads are decent but we lack an imposing presence there IMO. They are good until the edge of the final third and then not much after. If we can get a combative midfielder who is as comfortable looking forwards as he is back and sideways then we'd be very strong there, with what we already have.

The strikers are weird. We know we need two new ones but Akpom really needs to start asserting himself. To me he's a modern version of Jutkiewicz in that he loves the idea of a grapple and a bit of chew without actually being capable of getting the better of the opponent. He gives fewer fouls away than Jutkiewicz did though. He might be better with a partner, to be fair, but there were times last night when Bolasie wants to put an early ball in and Akpom isn't anticipating. He rarely seems to be in the right positions.

 

[TeessideCleveland]

Would pretty much agree with all of this. If Fulham stay up we'd be in a good position to keep Kebano. Bolasie seems to be enjoying his football, he's a quality player really. I'd like him to stick around. We do need a proper all-round midfielder, a proper No8. Our lads are decent but we lack an imposing presence there IMO. They are good until the edge of the final third and then not much after. If we can get a combative midfielder who is as comfortable looking forwards as he is back and sideways then we'd be very strong there, with what we already have.

The strikers are weird. We know we need two new ones but Akpom really needs to start asserting himself. To me he's a modern version of Jutkiewicz in that he loves the idea of a grapple and a bit of chew without actually being capable of getting the better of the opponent. He gives fewer fouls away than Jutkiewicz did though. He might be better with a partner, to be fair, but there were times last night when Bolasie wants to put an early ball in and Akpom isn't anticipating. He rarely seems to be in the right positions.

Drifts through most games anonymously
Yes I hope we replace all 3 this summer

 

[Alzi]

Jutkiewicz was and is much more of a handful than Akpom. Albeit quite a limited player.

I'm still not sure what kind of a striker Akpom is, other than an average one.

 

[conwaytwitty]

Fletcher's recent record.

Middlesbrough 89 League appearances ..... 19 Goals

Sunderland 16 League appearances 2 Goals

West Ham 16 League appearances 0 Goals

So his record, primarily at championship level, is 121 appearances and 21 Goals.

Apparently we have offered him a new contract, of some description, and he is taking his time to consider his options before putting pen to paper.

With that record, I am fascinated to know who else would be interested in his services as a striker. If our contract offer is still on the table then I hope that Warnock does the right thing and bins it before Fletch susses out that there will be no offers from elsewhere to consider !