Our Goalscoring Options...how do we proceed?

I'd really welcome some discussion on this issue, since it seems to be becoming crucial to the rest of our season, which is NOT over yet, we are just 6 points of the play off places. I see it like this:

1) Knowles. Clearly has some talent but seems almost permanently injured. And doesn't really score enough.
2) Robertson Looked lethal in pre-season but has since largely disappeared. I believe he has been ill, but don't know how serious this is. Does he still feature in SW's plans?
3) JPP Clearly our most talented striker and has been scoring goals. But he does seem to have a history of injury problems, and doesn't look too robust to me. And certainly need support.
4) Chib Chilaks (remember him?) Hardly ever gets injured, but hardly ever gets a game! Never left the bench on Saturday.

The young lad from Bradford (I can never remember his name!). Came with glowing references, but again has hardly played. Does anyone know why not?
And now we have Aing he was brought in as a makeshift striker. He scored so maybe SW will persevere.

This seems to me to be a bit of a mess, particularly for a club with such high ambitions at the start of the season.

So what do we do?

1) muddle along and hope it all works out
2) try and use the loan market again
3) try and find a hotshot operating at Tier 3 or below and hope we hit the jackpot
4) go for broke and try and sign a 'big name' from somewhere. Probably a fantasy at this stage of the season. I doubt if Danny Rowe is available at ANY price!

I know you all think I'm delusional, but why not try ad get Armstrong from Blyth. Just for the rest of the season? He is still scoring for them, and might just make the difference.

Anyway, I'd like some thoughts on this issue.

Oops! Armstrong now with Spennymoor, still....

The young lad from Bradford(Reece Webb-Foster) has actually been recalled by Bradford a while back. Unfortunately the club never told us about this which is probably the reason you didn't know.

You missed off our new striker Simon Ainge...but seriously what was Simon thinking starting him up front! He is our most talented centre back not a striker.

Personally I would like to see Chib play upfront with JPP again. Chib got his chance in a couple of games and SCORED then was suddenly dropped and replaced with Ainge? If a striker scores do they get dropped? didn't realise that's how it works...what will that be doing to Chibs confidence anyway?!!!

Knowles needs to be given a chance when he comes back but don't rush him into the team as I don't want him risked getting injured AGAIN. I think I can see what is going to happen with Knowles, Weaver will get frustrated with him getting injured a lot which will result in him getting released at the end of the season. Knowles will then sign for another club and score goals for fun next season.

WE SHOULD STOP PLAYING DEFENDERS UPFRONT...THAT MAY BE A START.          I know I'm a footballing genius. Picking players in their actual positions might help too.

Thank me later guys.      

Has bemused as everyone else. To give SW credit he put Ainge up there to be a menace and guess what he scores. The fact that we then concede 4 mins into the second half is trying to say the least so scrub that lead. Then Ellis goes off in the 60 th odd minute and guess what. Formation change. Was it a bold decision based on scouting out brackleys weakness. Did it nearly work? We came back with nothing but why? Personally feel it's time to play a settled line up with fit players and give them a run at it regardless of results. At the moment we couldn't buy 3 pts so need to get the next tranche of games right as they will decide our season! Start with JP and Chib and get plenty of balls into them at pace. Easier said than done but we need to dig deep.

Only thing I can think is that they are quite similar in style. If JP is winning knockdowns ( and boy that guy leaps like a salmon) he needs players around him feeding off that. Chins goal came from a cross into the danger area and that's where he needs to be getting the ball. Between the two of them there's goals there, but need the right type of service. Neither is lightening fast so long balls punted down the channels don't suit IMHO whereas balls into feet on and around the edge of the box allow them to turn and shoot as does quick balls across the box!

I guess that guy we had last season from Rotherham is too good for us now but we could do with him.
Most of the games I've seen Chib ans JP play, they've had to try and win a non-directional hoof up towards the penalty area to hold up/win possession and they're not the tallest of guys.
If we could create attacks by playing foot to foot ball, which we have sometimes done and successfully in recent seasons then maybe the likes of Chib and JP will get more chances to prove their worth. But I suppose we have to assume the coaches know best on that one.

We seem to be carrying too many players who haven't got 90 minutes fitness and/or commitment. A fully fit JP could still get us 20+ league goals this season but I haven't seen anyone else likely to get even 10. Is there any goal scorer in the under 21 side whom it might be worth giving an opportunity in the FA Trophy?

We certainly won't proceed with D.Stephenson as Fylde were obviously feeling short up front with their current goal drought and have brought him in on loan.

Any news on the man of mystery Robertson?

Nope. Apart from a wonder pass in the away game at Halifax to tee up Emmett not seen too much. Who knows anymore!

Jeez, that match and warm weather seems like ages ago. What a great spirited and battling performance that was. If only...

Is the lad injured or awol or has the club just given up trying to cover for him. Badly need someone to replace him of he isn't going to play. Reet odd as he came back for the fylde match and did well given he hadn't played in a while. Then was tripe the next home match if I recall.

Have to see if we do any business in the transfer window. Options are get busy and try to force our way into playoffs with late surge and new signings, write off the season and keep our powder dry for next attempt at the summit, identify signings for now and season end to build a team (again). Settle for mid season and blood the youngsters and lose some players in preparation for next lot shipped in. Big questions around Day and Cadman at this level (ie Thewlis and Fallowfield and looking at them then letting them go). Be interesting to see which route we go down as also an outside chance that this lot gel and get motoring themselves so all of the above are rendered obsolete and we cruise into the national after dumping Halifax and Chorley out via playoffs.IMHO

Fallowfield one that got away? Doing really well for ferriby it would seem, pleased for him, a good lad. Robertson apparently ill . We should have tried to replace him. Lack of signings bizarre. Given up? Despite what Mr Plant says!

Marcus day could be a future option and I'm sure there will be other talented players coming through the academies.

We are not subject to any transfer windows at this level.
I am led to understand that Robertson has some sort of illness but, again, lack of any communication.
With the position we are in now (little chance of play offs imo) and with no news regarding Knowles (communication) I would certainly be giving Day some time on the pitch as, at the moment, we have no pace up front and are easy to defend against hence the lack of goals.

For me, Day is a little too lightweight at the minute and really struggled against Stockport on Sunday.

Not wanting to speculate however Robertson could be suffering from an illness which the club can't disclose (depression etc).

Knowles 10 days off after suffering set back. Was training last night with the first team.

Looks like Brodie's on his way out at York. Could he be heading to Harrogate? Most York fan's seem to still rate him. Just finished a loan spell at Macclesfield but suspended tomorrow.

How about that 6-3 win for firepower, what a performance from the team

Perhaps the answer to the question here 'goal scoring options - how do we proceed ?' is 'keep playing Ainge up front'.

What an attacking performance today...well done lads.

Problem is ... Ainge is our best defender.