Guest nufc_geordie Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 With the performance of ALan Smith last night making the headlines, I was wondering if the general consensus of fans opinions had changd as to how we should play up tops. After watching the dominating display of SMith last night for me I think he need a partner who can anticipate his flick ons and his hold up play. His effort was second to none and sets the precedent for future efforts. For me I go Smith and Owen, but they will need a run of games together to develop as a partnership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flair Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I can't believe people have the nerve to say Smith and Owen, when they haven't even started a game upfront together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nufc_geordie Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 People say Smith and Owen because they believe the potential is there for a successful combination. None of the others seemed to have worked! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danswan Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I hope last night has made Sam realise that Smith isn't a midfielder once and for all. Smith and Owen/Martins for me. Viduka super sub. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellious Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I say Smith and Owen because if Smith can play like that week in week out an intelligent finisher would make the most of it. Martins was poor last night, everytime he got the ball he was looking to get forward alone rather than lay it off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Viduka & Owen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I can't believe people have the nerve to say Smith and Owen, when they haven't even started a game upfront together. Yes they have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 After last night, I think the problem is half solved. I didn't realise that Smith could play quite that well as a target man. It's him plus AN other(s) for me. I'd stick with the 4-3-3. Milner plus whichever one of Martins or Owen can adapt the better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razor Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Currently Smith & Martins - but i dont think it will create enough goals Best Possible - Viduka & Owen - If these two were fit and firing... Would be immense... they would rival some of the best striking partnerships in the league. Sadly keeping even 1 fit at any one time is going to be a challenge. I hope last night has made Sam realise that Smith isn't a midfielder once and for all. Smith and Owen/Martins for me. Viduka super sub. JW but is there some kind of statistic that would list when Viduka scores his goals timeline wise? Would be interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujpest doza Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I say Smith and Owen because if Smith can play like that week in week out an intelligent finisher would make the most of it. Martins was poor last night, everytime he got the ball he was looking to get forward alone rather than lay it off. I say Smith and Owen because if Smith can play like that week in week out an intelligent finisher would make the most of it. Martins was poor last night, everytime he got the ball he was looking to get forward alone rather than lay it off. I agree, Smith put himself about and did all of the donkey work which Owen would reap the benfit of. Martins was gash last night and still is never aware of what is going on around him, head down and run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Martins simply isn't clever enough to be a really top class striker. He doesn't have either the instincts of a natural goalscorer or the ability to read the game well enough. Out of the current options it's Smith and Owen for me but, unless Owen can prove otherwise quickly, we really need to be bringing in a more reliable partner for Smith. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danswan Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I still think Martins will become top class. If his age is to be believed he's still just a nipper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Martins simply isn't clever enough to be a really top class striker. He doesn't have either the instincts of a natural goalscorer or the ability to read the game well enough. Martins has allready showed glimpses of a world class striker. A lot of big clubs wanted him tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowen Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 How many people would have voted for a strikeforce involving Smith 24 hours ago? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Martins will never be world class. He doesn't have the tools imo. I'm not saying he's shit btw. And he's 23, not 19 for those expecting huge improvements in his (very) weak areas - a consistent first touch and hsi movement off-the-ball. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I think after last night Smith deserves a run of games up front. Played well with Martins I thought, won most flick-ons and chased and closed down when we didn't have the ball. Last night has certainly given Sam food for thought. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I actually think Martins has really improved this year in terms of getting his head up and finding his team-mates when in deeper positions. Unfortunately his movement just isn't there, the number of flicks that Smith provided last night would have been heaven for Owen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I think that our main problem up front is that while we do have a pretty decent set of strikers, you cant really rely on any of them to perform week in week out. Owen is pretty much always out injured and needs decent service, Viduka looks useless unless he is 100% fit and you just don't really know what you are going to get from Martins, one time he will skin his opponent, the next he will get dispossessed easily. In terms of consistency of performance I think that Smith would be most likely to offer that kind of performance every week because you know what you are going to get from him. His only problem is that he will probably score the least goals out of all of our strikers. He would be a good mainstay in the team if the other striker could make up for his lack of goals; and based on how he played yesterday Owen would have been best suited to him because of the quality of his movement. I actually voted Smith/Martins though because I think that you want a partnership that will last and they are the two that are most likely to stay fit for a decent period of time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Think its going to be Owen and Smith. But think for saturday Sam should play Smith and Viduka. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I voted Smith and Martins because I need to see Owen put a run of games together before I can consider him a regular starter. Smith's movement and running have put him ahaead of Viduka for me, I don't think we have enough pace in our side to accomodate Viduka's lack of mobility. people point out Martins weaknesses, but his pace is a massive asset for the same reason. It's not like he doesn't score goals either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 It all depends on form, really. 4-4-2, Viduka/Owen. 4-3-3, xxx/Smith/Martins. Viduka is shite with the long ball. He's good with his back to goal, but so long as it's with his feet. Flick-ons with his head is not what he's good at. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Martins Viduka Owen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Parka Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Smith is looking better. Works hard, wins it in the air. If only Martins learned how and where to run onto his numerous flick-ons.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Smith Owen Martins With Smith in a free/targetman-role, playing like he did yesterday with Owen and Martins in front of him. Would like to see it tried, at least, reckon it could work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Luque Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Smith Owen Martins With Smith in a free/targetman-role, playing like he did yesterday with Owen and Martins in front of him. Would like to see it tried, at least, reckon it could work. That looks good. With this behind it Barton Milner N'Zogbia Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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