Playing the strikers

[Professor]

Saints have scored 81 goals from 44 games and have a GD of 37. In L1 this is second only to Norwich who have scored 86 goals giving a GD of 41. In a lot of games, maybe the majority, Saints have started with just one striker. Rickie Lambert's contribution has been fantastic but with a one-up-front line up, a good number of goals have had to come from midfield. But we have also scored a lot of goals when Pardew has brough Barnard or Connolly on during the game, usually in the 2nd half. Could the strike rate be even better if more of the finishing was by specialist stikers?

 

In the Prem, Chelsea have a GD of 93 from just 36 games, eight games less than Saints. Against Stoke, the press were saying that Chelsea started with three strikers, although you could argue it was two with Lampard in the hole. True, Chelsea have expensive players, but they play against expensive players in other sides. If Saints are to be the Chelsea of L1, don't we have to rise to a comparable level in this division?

 

Should Saints be more confident next season, because the performance of the team this year justifies confidence, and start with at least two up front from the outset, not just in the occasional game but as a norm. This would mean the strikers having to come back to help in midfield occasionally but our three are all capable of that.

[david in sweden]

Saints have scored 81 goals from 44 games and have a GD of 37. In L1 this is second only to Norwich who have scored 86 goals giving a GD of 41. In a lot of games, maybe the majority, Saints have started with just one striker. Rickie Lambert's contribution has been fantastic but with a one-up-front line up, a good number of goals have had to come from midfield. But we have also scored a lot of goals when Pardew has brough Barnard or Connolly on during the game, usually in the 2nd half. Could the strike rate be even better if more of the finishing was by specialist stikers?

 

In the Prem, Chelsea have a GD of 93 from just 36 games, eight games less than Saints. Against Stoke, the press were saying that Chelsea started with three strikers, although you could argue it was two with Lampard in the hole. True, Chelsea have expensive players, but they play against expensive players in other sides. If Saints are to be the Chelsea of L1, don't we have to rise to a comparable level in this division?

 

Should Saints be more confident next season, because the performance of the team this year justifies confidence, and start with at least two up front from the outset, not just in the occasional game but as a norm. This would mean the strikers having to come back to help in midfield occasionally but our three are all capable of that.

 

 

some good observations Professor but when you write about specialist strikers you surely must admit that even Ricky's 30+ goal tally would count for little in the Prem. where against considerably better opposition Drogba's 20 goals look very impressive, as does Lampards tally.

 

Dare I mention it... but our FA Cup game v. Pompey surely proved the point that even a team at the bottom of the Prem. has quality strikers who can finish. We have to applaud the efforts of Lambert, Barnard and Lallana but I doubt if any of them would make the grade at Prem. level.

 

I look forward to them scoring hatfuls again next season, but don't expect them to be as successful when we get to the top of CCC.

[Barry the Badger]

I think it is a mistake to assume that two up front is automatically a more attacking or confident formation. 4-5-1 can be a more attacking formation than 4-4-2.

 

As you say, two up should provide you with more specialist finishers but if it produces less chances then what's the point.

[Bucks Saint]

Dont think goal scoring is a problem. It was in the first 10-12 games (while we got Lambert, and then got him fit, and added Connolly). But since then it has been our strength. We just need to play like that in the first 12 games as well

[Saint]

Minor point - Chelsea don't have a GD of 93, they have scored 93 goals. Their GD is 61. Which is still very impressive.

[Andy_Porter]

Chelsea have played with one upfront for the majority of the year. Like any good team they know when it's best to change formations, just like Pardew tries to do with us...

 

I don't understand why people get so hung up on 4-4-2 vs 4-5-1 it's very outdated for a team to play just one formation. It's best to be fluid and have players who can interchange during a game, the best team in the world Barcelona change for a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-4 to a 4-5-1 to a shape that's close to 4-6-0 every game because their defenders can attack and their attackers can defend.

[70's Mike]

frankly i do not care if we score 46 goals next season as long as we win each game

[70's Mike]

define playing 1 up front, whilst we may have started with Lambert apparently on his own we have flooded forward from midfield.

if by playing 2 up front it means 2 lumps stood up there waiting for the ball then give mt 4-5-1 which is actually more attacking than 4-4-2

[ericofarabia]

frankly i do not care if we score 46 goals next season as long as we win each game

 

WE might get a bit fed up singing 'One Nil to The Southerners' though

 

(Southampton or The Saints doesn't fit in very well)

[Legod Third Coming]

One of the biggest mistakes any manager can make is to mend what is not broke.

[Redondo Saint]

Why are paying the bloody strikers anyway!!???

 

 

 

Oops.... I will get my coat.

[ericofarabia]

Kenwynne Jones is the only striker we've had that I can remember :razz: