13 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

We are losing that defensive balance on that right hand side. Maresca made a great point about making sure this team isn't too top heavy. Whilst Gusto is bombing forward he has to run straight back whilst not having the defensive support Madueke/Neto would provide. We are already suspect defensively and I don't see the point in making it worse. 

Nkunku I am coming to terms we might actually sell next summer. 

 

Oh don't get me wrong, I think he'll leave next summer for PSG, mainly because he's on massive wages that we don't want to pay any more.

One of Caicedo, Lavia or the right centre back will always be able to drop in for an advanced right back. Nothing different to several recent seasons of ours after all ... 

One point of note is that, despite our defensive frailties, we've only conceded one more goal than Arsenal and two more than Man City (same number of clean sheets as City) at this point ... it is really only Liverpool that have what you'd call a decent defensive record, and a lot of that is down to the run of fixtures they've started the season with. I don't necessarily think switching Palmer to RW, and starting Nkunku would make us any weaker defensively. Do I think Maresca would do it ? Not a chance ... 

4 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Oh don't get me wrong, I think he'll leave next summer for PSG, mainly because he's on massive wages that we don't want to pay any more.

One of Caicedo, Lavia or the right centre back will always be able to drop in for an advanced right back. Nothing different to several recent seasons of ours after all ... 

One point of note is that, despite our defensive frailties, we've only conceded one more goal than Arsenal and two more than Man City (same number of clean sheets as City) at this point ... it is really only Liverpool that have what you'd call a decent defensive record, and a lot of that is down to the run of fixtures they've started the season with. I don't necessarily think switching Palmer to RW, and starting Nkunku would make us any weaker defensively. Do I think Maresca would do it ? Not a chance ... 

We still face loads of shots only comparable to bottom half clubs. I just don't believe adding another attacking player into the XI sorts that out. 

9 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

We still face loads of shots only comparable to bottom half clubs. I just don't believe adding another attacking player into the XI sorts that out. 

It's not adding another attacking player though is it ? It basically comes down to playing Palmer/Nkunku instead of Madueke/Palmer. 

 

Jackson is the second best striker in the league behind Haaland. 

I can't think of a single striker i'd take over him. 

10 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

It's not adding another attacking player though is it ? It basically comes down to playing Palmer/Nkunku instead of Madueke/Palmer. 

But as I alluded to, neither Palmer or Nkunku offer the same defensive contribution as Madueke or Neto. 

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

But as I alluded to, neither Palmer or Nkunku offer the same defensive contribution as Madueke or Neto. 

Nkunku works his arse off tbf, sure he even used to play wingback at PSG 

7 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Nkunku works his arse off tbf, sure he even used to play wingback at PSG 

So far this season, in the game time he's been given his pressing and off the ball efforts are incomparable to Jackson. 

This isn't an agenda or anything. Over the summer you'll find posts of me wanting Nkunku + Palmer in the XI. I just don't think at this moment we can sacrifice defensive efforts just to have Nkunku in the team. 

19 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

So far this season, in the game time he's been given his pressing and off the ball efforts are incomparable to Jackson. 

This isn't an agenda or anything. Over the summer you'll find posts of me wanting Nkunku + Palmer in the XI. I just don't think at this moment we can sacrifice defensive efforts just to have Nkunku in the team. 

His work rate doesn't need to be comparable to Jackson though, Jackson would still be on the pitch if Nkunku was central and Palmer wide right. 

 

Just now, Ukraine Bolt said:

His work rate doesn't need to be comparable to Jackson though, Jackson would still be on the pitch if Nkunku was central and Palmer wide right. 

Only mentioned Jackson because of Nkunku's sample size this season had him mainly at ST. Jackson works his bo**ocks off at ST whereas Nkunku relative to Jackson has looked poor off the ball. 

Palmer on the right being tasked to track back and contribute defensively as effectively as Madueke or Neto isn't practical. Nor should we burden him with such responsibility given what he offers in the attacking end. Only 1 goal off City and I think its' largely down to Palmer centrally. 

 

Jackson as our main ST all day, until we sign an Osimhen or Gyokeres.

We need to remember we are still coming together as a team, and we ain't half doing to bad currently.

I don't see City, Liverpool or Arsenal as that much better than us.

4 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Only mentioned Jackson because of Nkunku's sample size this season had him mainly at ST. Jackson works his bo**ocks off at ST whereas Nkunku relative to Jackson has looked poor off the ball. 

Palmer on the right being tasked to track back and contribute defensively as effectively as Madueke or Neto isn't practical. Nor should we burden him with such responsibility given what he offers in the attacking end. Only 1 goal off City and I think its' largely down to Palmer centrally. 

 

We have a solid base of Caicedo and Lavia, we wouldn't need him to track back. Its not like we have a defensive liability like enzo starting games anymore. The balance could easily be tweaked, football isn't black and white that you can only have wingers that do shuttle runs up the line all game. 

1 minute ago, Malcolm9 said:

Jackson as our main ST all day, until we sign an Osimhen or Gyokeres.

We need to remember we are still coming together as a team, and we ain't half doing to bad currently.

I don't see City, Liverpool or Arsenal as that much better than us.

Jackson is far better than Osimhen, no point spending £350k a week to sit on the bench. 

1 minute ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

We have a solid base of Caicedo and Lavia, we wouldn't need him to track back. Its not like we have a defensive liability like enzo starting games anymore. The balance could easily be tweaked, football isn't black and white that you can only have wingers that do shuttle runs up the line all game. 

Wingers that contribute defensively is just one aspect of it.

Until I see this team defend more compact consistently, win more duels and match intensity/efforts as the opposition, I still think Nkunku shouldn't be starting.  Lavia + Caicedo were in the team and Livramento went through our midfield hardly challenged leading to Newcastle's goal.

3 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Wingers that contribute defensively is just one aspect of it.

Until I see this team defend more compact consistently, win more duels and match intensity/efforts as the opposition, I still think Nkunku shouldn't be starting.  Lavia + Caicedo were in the team and Livramento went through our midfield hardly challenged leading to Newcastle's goal.

Imagine if we had someone that worked harder than Palmer in the middle, such as Nkunku, maybe Livramento wouldn't have got through so easily. 

3 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He's had a few good games this season, but I do still think there is something missing. He's good at turning on the half way line and popping up with a few goals here and there, but I feel like there is something missing from his game that we really need. He hasn't got much of a physical presence about him, so he's useless from set pieces, and he's not going to score any goals bullying his way through defenders. In games where the defence is compact and sitting a bit deeper, he really struggles because the opposition just bullies him out of the game and nullifies any threat. His touch control around the box isn't great, I think his passing in this area isn't very clean either, he often hits it too far in front or behind his teammate, and he rarely passes the ball in these areas with the right pace on the ball. Also, when we play it our wide and get a cross into the box, we rarely have him there to get on the end of it, unless it's on the counter where he can get a tap in. He isn't going to win many headers and he rarely finds space between two defenders to score either. He's not going to score any worldies or goals from outside the area either, the majority of his goals are pretty routine. It's not like he is bending shots around the keeper, they are mostly taps ins after finding a bit of space, which is nice to have and something you want in a striker, but it's something you want alongside other attributes.

So although I feel that Jackson has improved a lot this season, I do still feel like he is a second striker for a top 4 team. I feel like we need something more going forward to catch up with Liverpool, Arsenal and City.

Great post - there are obvious areas of improvement.

1. Agree on physicality.. but this is one area that can be improved and he is improving..he just turned 23. I  think he will bulk a little and learn to use his body better. Having said that when played to his feet he is better than most strikers in the league. His weight of pass is hit and miss and again an area of improvement but certainly competitive.

2. not bothered about scoring from outside the box or headers.. he is a different profile. Don’t remember Haaland doing that too often despite his size.

3. While he does score every now and then with his header - his biggest weakness is his timing of getting into the box.. where I agree with you given lack of goals from outside the box or corners to be a top class striker he needs to do better in this area.

4. Finishing Technique- I think his choice of finishes has improved but yet not elite level but again this can be improved.

4 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He's had a few good games this season, but I do still think there is something missing. He's good at turning on the half way line and popping up with a few goals here and there, but I feel like there is something missing from his game that we really need. He hasn't got much of a physical presence about him, so he's useless from set pieces, and he's not going to score any goals bullying his way through defenders. In games where the defence is compact and sitting a bit deeper, he really struggles because the opposition just bullies him out of the game and nullifies any threat. His touch control around the box isn't great, I think his passing in this area isn't very clean either, he often hits it too far in front or behind his teammate, and he rarely passes the ball in these areas with the right pace on the ball. Also, when we play it our wide and get a cross into the box, we rarely have him there to get on the end of it, unless it's on the counter where he can get a tap in. He isn't going to win many headers and he rarely finds space between two defenders to score either. He's not going to score any worldies or goals from outside the area either, the majority of his goals are pretty routine. It's not like he is bending shots around the keeper, they are mostly taps ins after finding a bit of space, which is nice to have and something you want in a striker, but it's something you want alongside other attributes.

So although I feel that Jackson has improved a lot this season, I do still feel like he is a second striker for a top 4 team. I feel like we need something more going forward to catch up with Liverpool, Arsenal and City.

Find one striker in world football who has all those qualities apart from Haaland? 

2 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Jackson is far better than Osimhen, no point spending £350k a week to sit on the bench. 

You sure?  Might get people wound up with that statement and whilst I don't know if right or wrong I've never understood the hype with Osimhen.

11 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Interesting that this is Palmer's heat map for the season to date ... pretty much says he's been on the right far more than in the centre, so maybe there is some sense in switching Palmer to RW and trying Nkunku as CAM ? May also play to Gusto's strengths as an overlapping RB ?

It comes down to how Maresca want to play. He want his two winger to stay wide and very high. It will be difficult for Gusto to defend as fb and go up and play on the last line. 

 

I recall and posted up in the game against liverpool Cole was always right of centre and I think he had a bad day because he stayed down that side too much with noni having an iffy day too.

11 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Interesting that this is Palmer's heat map for the season to date ... pretty much says he's been on the right far more than in the centre, so maybe there is some sense in switching Palmer to RW and trying Nkunku as CAM ? May also play to Gusto's strengths as an overlapping RB ?

This is the heat map at Newcastle, Neto was having much better success down the left than noni was on the right:

 

I think he's so used to playing on the right side that he's still accommodating that idea he's a number 10. He has the freedom of right of centre to left of centre and everywhere in between. He got marked out at Liverpool on the right and should have tried to connect more with the left. I hope the Newcastle game was a light bulb moment for him. Step back/go deep if needs be and take control, right, left or straight down the middle.

Edited October 29, 20241 yr by Simplymo

12 hours ago, Shweaves said:

Is Jackson worse than Havertz? Because he's Arsenal's number one striker right now and I think Jackson is performing just as well. Same with Nunez, who's Liverpool's main striker. The only team out of Liverpool, Arsenal and City who have a better centre forward is City. Arsenal and Liverpool get most of their goals out of wide forwards like Saka, Salah etc, or centrebacks scoring from corners.

Well I think they do anyway, maybe I'm wrong.

 

12 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Good point, I don't think he is any worse or better really, but both Arsenal and Liverpool fans will say they need an upgrade on both of them to compete with City.

Also this...Jackson and Palmer are fine imo. The wingers need to start contributing more.

Also I don't see why maresca wouldn't try nkunku as a 10 and Palmer on the rw with Jackson up top if he wants to. Trying to chase an extra goal he put nkunku on at lw while we had a striker on too. It would be nice to try especially if tactics need changing against a low block team that refuses to even counter. But I also agree palmers main position is the 10.

Just saying if the need arises I can see maresca putting/leaving nkunku, Jackson and Palmer on at the same time against a particular stubborn team.

Some of you guys/gals are hilarious!

2nd Best striker in the league? WTF am I reading!?  No wonder the country is in a mess when those making comments like this have the right to vote..... 2nd Best striker in the league ?!! Madness!

Edited October 29, 20241 yr by nonotnowjim

13 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Jackson is the second best striker in the league behind Haaland. 

I can't think of a single striker i'd take over him. 

I would  100% take any of these over Jackson - They are all far better developed footballers than the donkey: Watkins, Son, Isak, King Kai, Duran, Jota, Joao Pedro, Mateta, Fullkrug,

I would also probably take any of the following - although each one has a bit of a doubt: Jimenez, Evanilson, Calvert Lewin, Darwin, Awoniyi, Strand Larsen, Richarlison, Wissa, Calvert Lewin, Solanke, Hoijland,

But for sure - he is nowhere near the 2nd best striker in the league. Pure hyperbole.

18 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

I would  100% take any of these over Jackson - They are all far better developed footballers than the donkey: Watkins, Son, Isak, King Kai, Duran, Jota, Joao Pedro, Mateta, Fullkrug,

I would also probably take any of the following - although each one has a bit of a doubt: Jimenez, Evanilson, Calvert Lewin, Darwin, Awoniyi, Strand Larsen, Richarlison, Wissa, Calvert Lewin, Solanke, Hoijland,

But for sure - he is nowhere near the 2nd best striker in the league. Pure hyperbole.

I'm so happy you aren't involved officially in picking our strikers in any way...lol

Jk mate but seriously, some up there are no where near jacksons level at 22/23*.

Seriously fullkrug! Lol. Has hojland scored yet in the PL!? Isak also comes across a prick in rgds to his new contract but I haven't read too much about it. Could be wrong about him.

I do like duran though, it was his attitude issue that got in the way. He made a big deal at the beginning of the season that he has now started a new chapter and will work on his work ethics. Its only been 3 months but i hope he can stay straight and true for a full season, for the guys sake.

It would hinder jacksons development though if we got someone in around his age that has the exact style as him.

we needed a mature, older, wiser striker to take Jackson under his wing.

*I keep saying Jackson is 22 but I think he's turned 23 recently. Don't know. 

30 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

I would  100% take any of these over Jackson - They are all far better developed footballers than the donkey: Watkins, Son, Isak, King Kai, Duran, Jota, Joao Pedro, Mateta, Fullkrug,

I would also probably take any of the following - although each one has a bit of a doubt: Jimenez, Evanilson, Calvert Lewin, Darwin, Awoniyi, Strand Larsen, Richarlison, Wissa, Calvert Lewin, Solanke, Hoijland,

But for sure - he is nowhere near the 2nd best striker in the league. Pure hyperbole.

Honestly, you are sounding embarrassing now. You clearly have an agenda. Some of those names you have mentioned have been playing second fiddle this season because they have not made much of an impact up front. You laughed at someone for saying Jackson is second best striker in league, this post is frankly embarrassing, I think even Jackson's own critics on here would tell you to give it a rest.

10 minutes ago, STATS said:

Honestly, you are sounding embarrassing now. You clearly have an agenda. Some of those names you have mentioned have been playing second fiddle this season because they have not made much of an impact up front. You laughed at someone for saying Jackson is second best striker in league, this post is frankly embarrassing, I think even Jackson's own critics on here would tell you to give it a rest.

He posted up kai and son too.

Definitely tongue in cheek. Hahaha

I'm actually curios if Hojland has scored a goal this season yet, might have to Google man utd, Ewwww.