Echo News 'We're talking and we're trying' - Blues boss Maher on his search for a striker

[kentblues]

Apart from Ollie those midfielder goal records are truly shocking Why?

Between 3 of them thats 2 goals every 56 games ?!

Just TO NAME A FEW OF THE LEAGUES TOP SCORERS- Nick Haughton ( Fylde ) 12 goals
Alex Newby ,Altrincham 10 goals, James Henry, Aldershot 10 goals. Close to one goal every 2 games !
All midfielders . I could name more

is that midfield achievement acceptable?

An additional observation would be Cav, Morton and actually KAF have largely been defensive midfielders during their career. I'm not sure we aren't getting what it says on the tin?

 

[Danshrimper]

Apart from Ollie those midfielder goal records are truly shocking Why?

Between 3 of them thats 2 goals every 56 games ?!

Just TO NAME A FEW OF THE LEAGUES TOP SCORERS- Nick Haughton ( Fylde ) 12 goals
Alex Newby ,Altrincham 10 goals, James Henry, Aldershot 10 goals. Close to one goal every 2 games !
All midfielders . I could name more

is that midfield achievement acceptable?

Because the midfielders you name are attacking midfielders, and the likes of Miley, Morton and Husin aren’t.

 

[Barry.C]

I should of course add, to balance the view a bit, we have the wonderful Mr Scott Morriss. Not designated as a midfielder but 10 great goals to his credit.

It partially explains some of the issues, ? System related , but whichever way you look at it the dearth of goals from midfield remains grim

 

[Barry.C]

Because the midfielders you name are attacking midfielders, and the likes of Miley, Morton and Husin aren’t.

I dont think that fully detracts from the point though does it ? What do you think

Does that mean and affirm we have too many defensive midfielders. Is that related to how Kev likes to play? How come other midfielders elsewhere, not designated Attacking midfielders are still notching up 10?

 

[kentblues]

I should of course add, to balance the view a bit, we have the wonderful Mr Scott Morriss. Not designated as a midfielder but 10 great goals to his credit.

It partially explains some of the issues, ? System related , but whichever way you look at it the dearth of goals from midfield remains grim

The system gives you 3 in CM so more scope to play a true number 10 in the hole rather than a holding DM for example. Probably we will have is one defensive CM (whether Cav/Morton) as that seems to be the way Kev likes it and, therefore, two creative LCM and RCMs that bring you goal threat whilst still able to do there defensive duties.

We have decent CMs currently, all very capable in this league. but not the right ones to provide the CM unit we need. I think Kev knows that but again needs to bring at least one much better than we have...probably LCM priority #1..or it delivers little...

 

[SUFCGoals]

I dont think that fully detracts from the point though does it ? What do you think

Does that mean and affirm we have too many defensive midfielders. Is that related to how Kev likes to play? How come other midfielders elsewhere, not designated Attacking midfielders are still notching up 10?

It does really, would be bizarre to compare a Michael Carrick to a Kevin De Bruyne. Completely different players.

Nick Haughton plays as a number 10 behind the striker so he is an attacking midfielder. Morton and Miley are holding midfielders. Their average position on the pitch is probably 20-25 yards deeper than an attacking midfielder would be.

 

[Jai]

We've played Braintree and Ebsfleet.
Unfortunately when we play better sides we're going to drop points because we don't move the ball forwards quickly enough. The manager doesn't look like he's going to change this, so it seems likely to continue as long as he's here.

I'm intrigued as to your final comment. It was never a problem in the previous two and a half seasons under literally the same manager.

 

[Barry.C]

It does really, would be bizarre to compare a Michael Carrick to a Kevin De Bruyne. Completely different players.

Nick Haughton plays as a number 10 behind the striker so he is an attacking midfielder. Morton and Miley are holding midfielders. Their average position on the pitch is probably 20-25 yards deeper than an attacking midfielder would be.

Fair point and I do get that

But do you think an average of 2 goals in 58 games from so called defensive midfielders is acceptable.
Depending on the system how many defensive midfielders do you need. One or two? If its one what are the other two so called Midfielders ( not designated attacking ) expected to do score wise?

You mention Nick Haughton correctly as an attacking midfielder , one of the 3 , I exampled . There are others of course Not designated as attacking and not sitting just behind the strikers and scoring far more freely than out trio when let loose Why might that be?

I also wonder about the assist levels from our midfield group

 

[rlb999]

I'm intrigued as to your final comment. It was never a problem in the previous two and a half seasons under literally the same manager.

We're not as good as we were in the previous two and a half seasons. If you look at Bridge / Miley / Husin as examples, their ship has probably sailed. Teams need to evolve and currently we're playing the same XI as 2 years ago, minus Cardwell and Kensdale where change has been forced.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Fair point and I do get that

You mention Nick Haughton correctly as an attacking midfielder , one of the 3 , I exampled . There are others of course Not designated as attacking and not sitting just behind the strikers and scoring far more freely than out trio when let loose Why might that be?

I think we tend to push it wide and try and get it across rather than work it through the middle but we certainly have chances to get shots in. Coker has shown a good instinct to get in the box and take a risk with longer shots. Our other midfielders just don’t seem as naturally good at that though they have other strengths. Kev would want them to be scoring more .. I’m sure.

Gus has scored most of his goals by almost ghosting in last minute at the far post. Maybe it’s a combination of things - midfielders taking more risks, crosses being earlier and more accurate, forwards creating space and showing movement. When we play well, we certainly don’t play defensive and cautious but we do seem to not take enough of our chances.

 

[Maidstone Shrimper]

I think if we were to sign a decent LWB that would improve our whole game no end. I like Jack Bridge but for me he's not delivering this season.. We do move the ball out of defence quickly at times, usually to JB who goes down the left then checks and delays his cross because he doesn't like using his left foot and he doesn't have the pace to get past a defender or make space for a cross. If we could find a pacy LWB our midfield wouldn't have to scurry over to the left to offer him a short pass - they could burst into the box or hover on the edge and our strikers could expect the ball coming their way sooner rather than later. If that LWB could also ghost in at the far post like Gus does on the right that would be wonderful. Until that is resolved we're going to be looking for a striker who creates his own chances a la Bim.

 

[GBJ]

Missed my point completely. He was shooting much more in previous seasons than he is now. Last season he was having 1.5 shots per game. This season he’s only having 0.8 per game.

Apologies, I was confused when you said his pulling of the trigger resulted in a fair few goals