I'll go as far as this .......... if we had a skilled target man (plus a good spare incase of injury or suspension) then Barnsley would be in the top 4 of this league by now. Barnsleys - goalkeeper - defence - midfield - is something to be really excited about. We are just one player (plus spare) away from being a real force in this league.
On a number of occasions Birmingham were put through towards goal as a direct result of Bradshaw being easily knocked off the ball. Better teams than Birmingham would have easily scored from these chances. If you don't believe me - then play back the game again.
He's not a target man, and he's not played as a target man. He, just like ugbo or Thiam is just the furthest player forward. Sometimes we play idle long balls up, and other times we play more thoughtful balls. It's just football. With all the will in the world you can't make things fit all games all of the time.
Balls are passed out wide at every opportunity - but the pivotal point of Barnsleys attack is usually through the central striker. If that striker isn't tall enough to head the ball or strong enough to shield the ball then in affect we are playing with 10 men. As I've said - get a copy of the match and play it back and take particular note of what I'm saying here. If you do then it becomes very obvious. Hecky will be totally aware of what's being said here.
Balls out wide doesnt mean you need a tall striker or a 'target man'. And no, the pivotal point of our attacks is not through the striker. It's either from the wingers of the midfielders into the striker. In case you didnt notice, we scored today from a ball from the wide. Against Burton 3 of our goals came as a result of wingers (with the 4th coming from a long ball to Ugbo on the wing) So please explain to me why we need a tall striker for the way that we currently play? Of course, you already know all this, you're just on a wind up because Hemsy isn't here for you to defend.
As rotten an analysis of a football match as I've ever seen. If you want an example of what a team playing to a 'target man' looks like, then look no further than Birmingham. In the bottom 3, in no small part because thier game is based around hitting Jutkiewicz and Gallagher from distance. Boring...
Let's put it another way then - if Bradshaw is not playing as a target man then all high balls should be excluded. Does someone want to go through the match and count how many high balls were sent up field centrally for Bradshaw and how many crosses were sent into the middle by our wingers. If he's not playing as a target man - then why all these countless high balls aimed at him ??? It's ridiculous !!! What chances has Bradshaw got in circumstances like that - he looks about 5'2" tall when he's stood at the side of central defenders.
Whilst it isn't as simple as you make out Nudge, I know what you mean. The player you want for us up front though, to do what you want, would cost millions. if you think an O'Grady type would do the trick then you're mistaken.
Yeah, Bradders was poor today, got his 9th in 15 games, we won 2-0 as he won MOM. The drugs don't work.
No **** Sherlock . So let me get this right , you are saying that we DO NOT have a proper target man but you want us to play with a 'target man' ?
We play 5 across the middle because clearly that's where the strength of the team lies. But when playing 5 in the middle - not having a proper target man is like: not having a proper goalkeeper or not having a proper central defender or not having a proper defensive midfielder. It's a vital role that is obviously missing along the SPINE of the team. And as I've said earlier - there's only Hedges - with his height - that might be able to fill that role.