Hopper

For context Wanyama was 22 when we signed him and had played a similar number of senior matches too.

I'm enjoying the ruthlessness of it all tbh. It's quite refreshing.

Downes or Smallbone you'd think. The fee involved is higher than I guess I'd have expected for a Smallbone replacement but we've seamingly been spending when needed again.

Just saw this. Supposedly a physically strong CM. Guessing Spors might have inside track on Serie A given his time at Genoa

Between him and Manning on direct freekicks we might have finally replaced JWPs dead ball output.

Scienza looks most likely in terms of permanents, reportedly close to being done. (BBD leaving helps the case too) Could see a last minute loan or two tomorrow depending on outgoings.

Leeds Tiwtter currently going through the Spertsyan song and dance. You love to see it. 🥲

That's just my dyslexia, ease up 😂

That is inexcusable tbf. 😂 I'm now also questioning my use of the word Striker rather than Center Forward lol

I meant our roster of strikers mate. Same as I'd put together a roster of team members for a shift at work. But please do go off.

Did a bit of research with Chat GPT on the profile of Still's build-up and shot conversion and it appears there's much more of an emphasis on low driven assists over aerial chances. Worth a read, and makes me feel a little better about the 9 situation as it sounds like it would suit our current roster. --------------------------------------- At both Reims and now Lens, the profile of strikers and forwards under Will Still has generally not been classic “target-man” aerial specialists. Instead, he looks for forwards who: 🔑 Traits Still Wants in Attackers Mobile, Vertical Runners Pacey, direct strikers who attack spaces behind the line. Example: Folarin Balogun at Reims (22/23) — thrived on balls slid in behind, not dominant aerially. Good at Link Play in Tight Zones Forwards are asked to combine with wingers and No.10s in quick exchanges. That demands close control and short-passing vision more than height. Pressing Workhorses His attackers lead the press. He values aggression and stamina as much as finishing. Clinical Inside the Box, Feet First Finishing chances created by low crosses, cut-backs, and through-balls — meaning composure with either foot matters more than heading. 🏟️ Examples by Club Reims: Balogun (1.78m) – not aerially dominant, more of a sharp finisher. Jun’ya Ito (1.76m) – wide forward, pace merchant. Arber Zeneli / Alexis Flips – technical creators, not physical No.9s. Lens (2024/25 under Still): Lens historically had a more physical striker profile (e.g. Sotoca, Wahi), but Still still prefers them for mobility and pressing, not just headers. Elye Wahi (1.84m) – quick, direct runner, not an aerial-first striker. Florian Sotoca (1.87m) – decent in the air, but Still uses him as a versatile link-forward, not just a target. 📊 Overall Height & Heading Ability: Useful, but secondary. First Priority: Speed, movement, pressing, and foot-based finishing. Headed Goals: Come occasionally (back-post overloads, set-pieces), but not the core of his striker’s brief. 👉 In short: Still doesn’t build around tall aerial strikers. He wants attackers who can press, run, and finish low. Aerial strength is a bonus, not a must.

Adds further weight to Scienza coming in as just Edozie to cover for Robinson at this point and likely on his way too.

BBD to Derby Done!

Scienza looks like it could be 'Here we go' shortly. Edit: Checked in with a german mate and Kicker are pretty credible apparently. (I was skeptical on the source)

Your two suggestions in this thread have been Kieffer Moore and Carlton Morris, both pressumably influenced by their start to this season, come off it now. We have proven quality strikers, better than either of those two. They need service and game time.

But he IS fit mate, and we have Arma Downs and Cam on the books. We can't just horde strikers. And again, someone like Morris, solid start to this season but he's hardly an upgrade on what we have?

Looks to be a loan.

Exactly so why would we risk getting a new 9 in. I think a low risk loan might be an option to provide a different profile/solution but it’ll be 11th hour if at all.

There simply aren’t a lot of other options certainly none less risky than what we have. On paper we have a historically potent front line at this level with Arma, Stewart and Archer. I believe with good service we will work it out.

About the same as the prolific Moore’s then 😪

His senior record at Koln was 0.5 goals per 90 minutes played or 1 in 2.

I think ultimately it will end up being Downs. The lad has goals in him just hasn't got up and running. Good physical traits too. I don't hink we invest the money we did without a view to play him regularly.

The same Keifer Moore who scored 6 in 30 last season? Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'd much prefer we take a punt on a high potential player like Downs than sink money on a 33 year old who's hardly been prolific at this level or any other.

I thought Downs did OK yesterday in the limited involvment he had. I do still think there's a player there, I remember Sargent taking a while to find his footing at Norwich and I don't doubt it's gonna take Downs a bit to get there too but he has all of the tools and I think his positional play has been generally very good. He seems to find good pockets of space. Scienza for me is a must. Jay had a poor game yesterday. Not his fault but we can't expect the nipper to hold down that left wing position. Ultimately if we can get Jelert and Scienza in. Shift a few out and bring in a couple of last minute loans I think we're going to be in a good spot. ST/CDM in on low risk loan perhaps?