The current striker situation

[Bromley Blue]

Ok so we finally seem to have found a striker with some quality about him. Having been at both the Gills and Oldham games Leon Clarke does already look the real deal. Too early for calls of sign him up but the signs are very promising.

However, what are the other strikers at the club going to have to do to get a chance to play alongside him. I'm actually a bit of a Matt Harrold fan, having driven all the way to west brom from bournemouth last season, his header made my day. I also think he has quite good feet for a tall guy and has held up play quite well this season. All he needs is a bit of a goal threat and he'd be a class player. Thing is though matty, thats kinda why you're there.

With Charlie McDonald bagging a hattrick in the reserves and Eric O scoring again the pressure for those striker positions is hotting up. The lad from leicester is only here for a month and he hasnt had a league start. Will it take an injury/suspension to Matt Harrold before they get a chance or will they have to score and change a game when coming on as sub to get a starting opportunity with Tilson. Thoughts people....

 

[Pubey]

macdonald and clarke for me

 

[leeblue]

Tricky one yes Maccy D must be in with a shout due to 3 in the reserves but should you change a winning line up? IMO no, if you are winning games why change it. As I said tricky one

 

[TrueBlue]

macdonald and clarke for me

spot on mate!

 

[TrueBlue]

Tricky one yes Maccy D must be in with a shout due to 3 in the reserves but should you change a winning line up? IMO no, if you are winning games why change it. As I said tricky one

I have to say thought I did like harrolds touch and pass to Clarke for the goal at Oldham!

 

[Mr. Benedict]

The Harrold / Clarke partnership is working well at the moment so I am not surprised that Tilson is disinclined to break it up. I'd like to see MacDonald or Odhiambo given a shot alongside Leon for half an hour or so, though.

 

[Pubey]

macdonald has shown he will put away chances if they are created. harrolds first touch was good against oldham but he shinned the second and was lucky leon ran through and nicked it. i think clarke will set up goals for macdonald and clarke will nick anything he can (as he has shown). i think we have the possibility of two strikers both scoring a lot, at the moment it's only clarke and i don't think harrold really brings that much creativity to make up for his weakness in front of goal

 

[fatshrimp]

I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

That said, I don't have huge confidence with Harrold, and for that reason I'd like to see Charlie Mac given a go as soon as possible. I like his work rate, but wish he was a bit taller.

It's important for the team morale to keep a winning line up I think. Not sure about squad morale though...

 

[Jam_Man]

Why change what is working ?

Harrold played extremely well against Gillingham, didnt see the Oldham game but his work created the goal.

If Macdonald and Clarke play we dont have a target man and Macdonald isnt going to lead the line like Harrold can and give Clarke the space he wants.

Clarke isnt a target man and I think he needs one to play alongside.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I'll give Harrold the benefit of the doubt for now, As he was pivotal in the goal at the weekend and worked well against Gillingham, but I think our most potent partnership is without a doubt MacDonald and Clarke.

We've seen how Leon sets up goals with clever through balls, MacDonald gets in these positions and he'll score... I don't think it's in Harrold's game to get into those positions. Look back to the last time we were here, we had Goater providing flick ons to Eastwood and it worked extremely well... Anybody who was at the Swansea game away from home would tell you how well that partnership worked: Clarke and MacDonald has equal potential.

 

[Bromley Blue]

macdonald has shown he will put away chances if they are created. harrolds first touch was good against oldham but he shinned the second and was lucky leon ran through and nicked it. i think clarke will set up goals for macdonald and clarke will nick anything he can (as he has shown). i think we have the possibility of two strikers both scoring a lot, at the moment it's only clarke and i don't think harrold really brings that much creativity to make up for his weakness in front of goal

Yeah I agree. I wasnt really raising the question of should we break up a winning team. I think we all know the front pair will be the same on Saturday bar any last minute injuries. What I'm asking is what would have to happen for Harrold to get dropped really lol.

 

[Pubey]

Yeah I agree. I wasnt really raising the question of should we break up a winning team. I think we all know the front pair will be the same on Saturday bar any last minute injuries. What I'm asking is what would have to happen for Harrold to get dropped really lol.

basically if he continues not to score then i would like to see him subbed earlier and maccy-d get some time on the pitch. if he then takes a chance then it's time for the change IMO

 

[Groyne Strain]

I'm just disappointed Billy Paynter isn't still with us to show his true worth, what with all this genuine competition for places upfront. It would have been a joy to watch, I am sure, and worth the season ticket money alone.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I'm just disappointed Billy Paynter isn't still with us to show his true worth, what with all this genuine competition for places upfront. It would have been a joy to watch, I am sure, and worth the season ticket money alone.

He appears to be starting for Swindon and thankfully I still havent seen his name on their goalscorers yet. Suppose it will happen one day but as long as he doesnt turn prolific i dont mind.

 

[steveo]

The whole point of the game is for the team to score goals.
For the first time in ages the team is scoring so the combination must be working. You cant only look at a strikers goal tally to see if he is doing well.
What about the runs he makes off the ball, the passes, the headers won, and generally the amount of problems he causes the defence?
Harrold seems to have his shirt pulled more than any other player ive seen which to me is a sign he is giving the defender a difficult time.
Leave it as it is.

 

[DTS]

Whilst I would rather see McDonald and Clarke long term what sort of message does it send out to Matt Harrold if you drop him after two good performances.

He should keep his shirt until he either plays badly or is suspended or injured if you ask me.

 

[Pubey]

Whilst I would rather see McDonald and Clarke long term what sort of message does it send out to Matt Harrold if you drop him after two good performances.

He should keep his shirt until he either plays badly or is suspended or injured if you ask me.

agreed:D :D

 

[TrueBlue]

Whilst I would rather see McDonald and Clarke long term what sort of message does it send out to Matt Harrold if you drop him after two good performances.

He should keep his shirt until he either plays badly or is suspended or injured if you ask me.

Yeah but there is good and there is really good!

 

[londonblue]

macdonald has shown he will put away chances if they are created. harrolds first touch was good against oldham but he shinned the second and was lucky leon ran through and nicked it. i think clarke will set up goals for macdonald and clarke will nick anything he can (as he has shown). i think we have the possibility of two strikers both scoring a lot, at the moment it's only clarke and i don't think harrold really brings that much creativity to make up for his weakness in front of goal

The problem is that Harrold is the target man at the moment and Clarke is playing off him. If Tilly were to swap Harrold for MacDonald then Clarke's role will change to that of the target man, which he may well not be comfortable with.

I would leave things as they are, but obviously have MacDonald (or Odhiambo) on the bench just in case a change is needed.

 

[DTS]

Yeah but there is good and there is really good!

2 games and 2 wins is good enough for my mind.