Well if we were talking ideal scenarios we'd shift to 4-3-3 with Gundogan added to my midfield duo and Martial + 2 making up the front 3, but since LvG is still here and we are so short of proven goal scorers, I think he'll go for a #9 in the Lewa mold who likes to stay on the CB's rather than a Suarez type #9.
Do we still need a #9?
- Thread starter Devil may care
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Well if we were talking ideal scenarios we'd shift to 4-3-3 with Gundogan added to my midfield duo and Martial + 2 making up the front 3, but since LvG is still here and we are so short of proven goal scorers, I think he'll go for a #9 in the Lewa mold who likes to stay on the CB's rather than a Suarez type #9.
Yep, that seems more realistic as things stand.
But it might restrict our team's organic development when (if?) a more progressive manager is appointed. I just think Martial would make a wonderful, fluid #9½ forward focal point for a team employing 4-3-3 - given his quality, nose for goal, pace, and the ability to drift out wide to accommodate inside forwards cutting in from the flanks. Unless the #9 is in the Suárez mold - someone who can dovetail with Martial's Sturridge. Ack, Liverpool analogy, feel dirty even writing it as a template for United...
Yep, that seems more realistic as things stand.
But it might restrict our team's organic development when (if?) a more progressive manager is appointed. I just think Martial would make a wonderful, fluid #9½ forward focal point for a team employing 4-3-3 - given his quality, nose for goal, pace, and the ability to drift out wide to accommodate inside forwards cutting in from the flanks. Unless the #9 is in the Suárez mold - someone who can dovetail with Martial's Sturridge. Ack, Liverpool analogy, feel dirty even writing it as a template for United...
The thing is do we have anyone at the club that would make LvG consider things beyond what he sees as the perfect set up? I also wonder if we could find a wide forward that would score enough goals to help Martial if he stayed as the #9, as so far I don't know if he feels like a 30 goals a season striker.
Lewandowski or the next Lewandowski please.
If people say something like 'Lewandowski is unrealistic' then we need to think about signing the next big thing.
Think we need more options up front but knowing LVGs preference for a thin squad I doubt we'll get it
If people say something like 'Lewandowski is unrealistic' then we need to think about signing the next big thing.
Think we need more options up front but knowing LVGs preference for a thin squad I doubt we'll get it
Just making the point that there is a calibre of players you can't sign unless youre barce or real. The best player we had in the last 10 years was ronaldo, and we produced him
I suppose you produced Rooney also.
We need wing options. Someone who is a RWF is priority, if they can play across the front three/four then even better.
Ideally we need two players in attack, IMO.
Ideally we need two players in attack, IMO.
well we bright ronaldo from a low level to a high level, whatever words you want to us to describe it
Yeah, it will be like if we turn Martial into a world class player, same with Memphis or if we bought someone like Sane or Embolo.
We need a 9, 10 , 11 and a 12.
Yes we need a good all round 09. Martial looks more like a wide forward to me, definitely not as threatening playing with his back to goal. Much better in positions where he can use his pace and dribbling ability to run at players. We need a 09 who can bring the wide men into the game as well as get on the end of crosses. Any top team has to have a player like this up front nowadays in my view. So i would opt for Kane personally. I like the way he can also drop deep and then turn and play in wide men who run past him, and is good at getting on the end of any balls into the box too. He also seems to be able to adapt his game to whoever he plays with too, and this is exactly what we need. Someone who can hold and then use the ball to allow others to get into the game higher up the pitch. I've been regularly impressed with his all round intelligence in game, and it allows him to contribute to the team in a variety of different ways.
Certainly wouldn't be against Aubemeyang either, who looks top quality, although admittedly, i haven't seen as much of him as i have Kane. Kane is competent and versatile enough to operate as both a 10 and a 09 within the same game, which tips the balance strongly for me in his favor. If, astonishingly, we don't go for a 09 and are indeed only after wide-men, then i would be delighted with Griezmann either as a 10 or out wide.
Certainly wouldn't be against Aubemeyang either, who looks top quality, although admittedly, i haven't seen as much of him as i have Kane. Kane is competent and versatile enough to operate as both a 10 and a 09 within the same game, which tips the balance strongly for me in his favor. If, astonishingly, we don't go for a 09 and are indeed only after wide-men, then i would be delighted with Griezmann either as a 10 or out wide.
9 and a RW:
-----------Martial------- (9)
Memphis------------RW (Mata, Lingard, Januzaj)
-----------Herrera-------- (Mata, Pereira, Januzaj)
Rooney, Young and Fellaini sold. Wilson on loan getting 40 starts somewhere in the lower Prem, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 or upper Champo.
Lots of talent (as long as we get the signings right) and youth. Martial can get minutes at other spots if the 9 is in form or we're struggling for production elsewhere.
-----------Martial------- (9)
Memphis------------RW (Mata, Lingard, Januzaj)
-----------Herrera-------- (Mata, Pereira, Januzaj)
Rooney, Young and Fellaini sold. Wilson on loan getting 40 starts somewhere in the lower Prem, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 or upper Champo.
Lots of talent (as long as we get the signings right) and youth. Martial can get minutes at other spots if the 9 is in form or we're struggling for production elsewhere.
Add a 7 in there also
This is the biggest question facing whoever is manager this summer. Rooney's had a mini run of goal scoring but spent the first 5 months of the season as the least effective striker in the PL and I think most would agree he's not really good enough to be the main man in a team hoping for a PL title challenge. Will we risk going into the next season without adding a #9?
The big issue is we know Rooney will almost certainly be here, but will he accept the challenge of having to earn a place Vs another top #9? Somehow I doubt it which would mean we'd be looking for someone who would be happy coming off the bench. It's no good buying a top #9 and trying to use Rooney as a #10, his touch, skill and passing is too inconsistent and erratic for the role, to get any value out of him he has to be closest to the goal.
While Martial's future may be as a #9 I think he'll mostly play from the left for at least another season and it might even end up being his best position as he becomes more and more experienced at it, especially if we play more 4-3-3.
I know Will Keane scored 5 goals in the U21's tonight and Wilson is popular on the Caf, but I think it would be mad to start the season with them as Rooney's only competition/back-up.
The big issue is we know Rooney will almost certainly be here, but will he accept the challenge of having to earn a place Vs another top #9? Somehow I doubt it which would mean we'd be looking for someone who would be happy coming off the bench. It's no good buying a top #9 and trying to use Rooney as a #10, his touch, skill and passing is too inconsistent and erratic for the role, to get any value out of him he has to be closest to the goal.
While Martial's future may be as a #9 I think he'll mostly play from the left for at least another season and it might even end up being his best position as he becomes more and more experienced at it, especially if we play more 4-3-3.
I know Will Keane scored 5 goals in the U21's tonight and Wilson is popular on the Caf, but I think it would be mad to start the season with them as Rooney's only competition/back-up.
Normally we talked about Kane or Lukaku. But I also see that situation, I think Rooney will stay next season and he won't be a bench player. So a player like Ighalo or preferably a young player like Embolo (who can play as a wide forward too) could be a better choice to rotate in our attack.
In my opinion the ideal scenario is to play 433 and sign Griezmann. So we could have different options in attack, plus a right winger like Mahrez to rotate in a front of 3 with Memphis, Martial, Rooney and Griezmann.
I want to change my answer to: We need a 2nd attacking star who plays somewhere in a front 3. That's the goal. Fit is secondary. Martial will start and if we only sign one star, then Memphis, Mata, Lingard, Rooney, Wilson, Keane, Januzaj and whoever I'm forgetting can fight for that 3rd spot.
Most important thing, by far, is getting a 2nd young and very productive offensive player.
Most important thing, by far, is getting a 2nd young and very productive offensive player.
We need a goalscorer, doesn't matter what number he is
Mourinho others a battering ram upfront doesn't he?
I think it would be nice to have the capacity to switch tactics and formations if need be. I'd like a proper #9.
Rooney (who many think is better as a #10)
Martial (who has had his best games wide)
Wilson (who has 3 in 12 in the championship)
So yeah I think a #9 might not be a bad idea
Martial (who has had his best games wide)
Wilson (who has 3 in 12 in the championship)
So yeah I think a #9 might not be a bad idea
A lot of things might happen from here 'til the end of the season.Everyone and his dogs thought we needed a left back on January.
I think this season has exposed this myth.
Not really, I remember most thought we had ample cover when Shaw got hurt and even when we were down to playing 2 U21's most said we should only loan a fullback as the others would be coming back. Another #9 isn't going to materialize in the team between now and the end of the season as there isn't one to do so,
Because he has been so excellent all season as a #9?
I'd play Martial as a wide forward or a number nine. Sign a top class striker for the starting eleven, and a proper winger for the other side. Then either Mata or Rooney at number 10, since a signing there might have to wait until the summer after.
I miss the good old days when positions were positions and not numbers.
Positions weren't as big of a deal, as well. It was about the quality of the players. Nowadays you read in the Schneiderlin thread that we need a defensive minded CDM, pared with a box-to-box CM and not a number 6 or a number 8, because it wouldn't work. Or something.
Modern football.
Rooney may be in decline but he's not finished yet. Martial represent the future and Wilson is a wildcard that may surprise us all. I'd say we should add a winger who is perfectly comfortable upfront (griezmann?) And see what happens. More quality on the flanks will increase the chances and therefore the goals
Me too!
I think the squad is missing a good number 19.
Keane's recent form has to play him in contention. The quality of opponent may be lacking but good movement is good movement. Also yesterday, three of his goals were tap ins which we've missed too many since Hernandez left. I think he can drop deep and run the last man so let's see what he can do in this team. Him and Wilson have a great chance but Wilson requires a little patience.
How is this even a question? Of course we do
I'd so go all out on Kane. If no avail, get new winger and martial go up top.
rooney will still be first choice for the role.
if thats the case ideally somebody comfortable playing upfront and on the right. similiar to Martial. that would give us 3 options for the number 9.
if thats the case ideally somebody comfortable playing upfront and on the right. similiar to Martial. that would give us 3 options for the number 9.
No, but he's shown that the one true quality left in his game is finishing, the touch and passing required consistently to be a #10 is not there.
Yes we do need a number 9. I'd love to see Kane come in and drop Rooney into the number 10. Keep Martial on the left for now and maybe ease him to the number 9 later in the season.
Without doubt.