Assess the current attackers

We have several attacking options on the wings and in the striking positions. Many of them have notable strengths with a few glaring weaknesses. So how do we all rate our attackers.

Wingers

McGeady- the only player in our squad who could fit into most any team. People criticize certain aspects of his game but his pace, trickery, and brain make me think he could play just about anywhere.

McCourt- actually has a * of a shot on him to go with his ball control. He also has one of the more venomous shots at the club. For me the undoubted second choice for winger if he was able to sort his fitness. Unfortunately, I am unsure if he ever will

McGinn- pacey, can deliver a good ball, decent shot as well. His only drawback I think may be that he very much relies on his pace which at higher levels may be matched by those defending him. Young and with more of an upside than most

Robson- good footballing head, a tough *, gives the midfield some steal, and pretty good at set pieces. He is no speed demon though and his ability to beat his defender one on one is probably not as good as the younger guys. I think he makes a very good squad player, and is useful for the physical ties that occasionally stifle the other wingers.


Strikers

Samaras- has definitely improved as a player but is not the SPL's usual type of striker. The biggest difference i've noticed is that his feet have gotten better and he can track back to close down people. I also see more of a fire in him. He has decent pace for a big man but his size means an extra step to accelerate to speed. His finishing is the quirkiest part of his game. He constantly goes for the placed pass by the keeper into a bottom corner when i wish he'd throw his bulk behind it and rip it at maybe a less artful angle hard past the goalie. I think he can still do very well here and has played well enough in europe that i believe the upside to his game shows.


Fortune- You may not notice it but the guy is strong as a * ox and probably the fastest striker we have. * of a leap on this guy too; expecially that one against Mr. McGregor. He won almost everything in the air in an OF game up against not the weakest CB in the world in Davie Weir (there is a reason weir has lasted in this game so long). Unlike JVOH he does not flick on these aerial balls goal-ward so much as bring them to his feet and try to get everyone up field. Good shot too. But he tends to drift offside when trying to run parallel with someone on goal. If he had a more predatorial instinct he'd have wracked up a few more goals this year.

McDonald- some reports say that he is in need of hernia surgery. frankly, that may explain the more limited aspects of his game this season. I think McDonald in the past has offered us some decent link up as well as some downright special goals. He also had been a threat running away from defenders. This year, his superb brain for prowling is still there as it always has been. He's the best poacher we have. But I see less from his game aside from that. I will not call him Boyd-esque, but I believe he has dipped in his ability to help those around him.


McGowan- not a horrid footballer. Possesses a good poaching instinct and maybe a little quicker than McDonald but I don't think offers enough that the Aussie doesn't do better for him to crack the first team just yet.

Killen- big, strong, wins headers, and can do harm to an OF team if they're caught off-guard. He's powerful enough to be a threat against many teams if challenging 1-on-1 against a defender for a high ball. I do not think the big man offers enough proficiency in front of the net to be a simple big poacher nor does he link or control well enough to displace sammy or fortune. he plays his heart out though and I wish him the best.



either/or

Maloney- on his game he competes with McGinn and McCourt for the second/third slot for wingers. Personally I liked him best since his return here when he was partnered with Samaras striking. Very good shot on him with decent feet. Is not as quick with the ball as he seemed to have been in his first stint. Maybe an even more complete a player than the two northern irishmen.

Zhi- offers an interesting and entirely different way of playing up front. great head on his shoulders and smartly wins foul after foul. His slight frame makes it difficult for him to turn on goal in the SPL, but he can help those around him crack down a stubborn back line. when he has found space he has come close to scoring more than once.


these are my opinions, what do you guys think of our attackers?

 

to sumarise , not many lift their head to pick the right option and all make very bad decisions when attacking, key to our style of play is to score early ,but i agree with most of wot you say regarding attackers.

 

I think we can sum it up in one word: Incomplete.

 

We need a natural goal scorer someone who just knows where the goal is samaras n co are grafters but there finishing is * awful.

 

We need to play together better, we have a good balance - but make the wrong desicion far too often.

Sammy & Skippy seldom pass to each other at the correct moment & Sammy/Fortune seem too similar, but that's early days.

Robbo ain't an attacker imo.

McGeady is brilliant at times, but same problem with desicion making - powder puff shot. Really surprised we've not improved in this regard, although we are making slow progress I suppose.

 

the engine room so far

Sammy-he's like a bull dog with no bark,had enough of this guy now and i would gladly punt him

McDonald-i am split down the middle with the wee man but know we will be worse off without him, so i would keep him for now

Fortune-hopefully will learn from others and has great potential

Robson- has a great engine and been playing in the wrong position of late

Killen and we McGowan need to be sold to free up what ever wages

ZZ never seen much of him cannot comment

the rest carry on as you were