Mid-February Mini-Blog - Strikers

I'd rate Polter - when on form and fit - better than any of our current crop. It was a real shame that he had to leave. His performance against Leeds on the opening day last season was outstanding, almost like Zlatan, just pure power and strength, he was unplayable. We didnt see that enough but he had real positive attributes.

JET is just a write off, his contract should never have been as long as it was. He will no doubt turn it on in any matches to try and get a similar deal at some other mug of a club for next season and beyond.

The rest of who we have left are just not up to standard.

Sylla appears to be an oddity, he scores at a decent rate but seems sometimes to not understand the game he is playing!

Washington is - and always will be - limited. We really need to hire somebody somewhere is interested so we can get a bit of money to try on somebody else. I've yet to see his "frightening" pace. He is almost like Jamie Mackie but younger.

Smith is a good Pro but I hate it when we just go long to him or throw him on at half time. It is not his fault but it has made our football for the most part very hard to watch, certainly not entertaining. Dwindling attendances testify to that.

Overall in the summer I'd hope that Sylla and Washington can be sold, add that to the money saved from JETs wages and get in two quality strikers. Smith will still be here and we have Eze, Oteh and Smyth pushing for places.

Seems those posting so far are all in agreement re the quality of our existing players and the absent Seb Polter (who I feel is really missed). I would add that this month's results will be very important to Ollie's plans for the rest of the season. I say that because he needs a sufficient buffer of points from the relegation zone to allow him the luxury of giving the less experienced strikers play time to determine their long-term future at the club. For me, I would certainly be looking to extend the Smith & Smyth partnership, but I would also consider trying Oteh in place of Freeman (at some point) as an attacking midfielder/inside left position. Then at least Ollie will know whether he needs to go shopping for a better striker or can rely upon developing strikers to blossom. Thoughts?

My feelings exactly stoatey but do you feel Oteh or Eze or Smyth might be more than just First Team players - i.e. that missing goal-finisher? For what it is worth, I believe that one of them (when available) should be used as an 'impact sub' in preference to Osayi-Samuel, who seems to get put on to do that somehow but from the wing. We either need wingers or suitable WBs starting each game and then decent midfield or striker subs introduced in time to make a better impact.

Definitely Smyth, Eze and Oteh all need more game time before we can judge them and see where they fit in.

I imagine all 3 will be in the squad next season.

Out of Smith, Washington, Sylla and Mackie a maximum of 2 will still be here next season. We need changes if the club is to progress.