Forward Discussion

[hht]

Who is our best forward, first off i am happy this sort of thread is even thinkable, a few years ago we'd have a dire discussion on our hands.

The 6 I guess to discuss are Beano, Mclean, Craddock, Midson, Green and Potter.

Many people have been loving midson recently after his hat-trick. However I pose this, Midson is at best our 4th best forward.

Now I am not saying he should be on the bench as we play a front 3, the best 3 might not be the best 3 to play at the same time together.

But here is my reasoning:

All things other than on the pitch being equal (ie no issue of wages etc.)

Beano vs. Midson = Beano
McLean vs. Midson = McLean
Craddock vs. Midson = Craddock

So for me he is, at best, 4th.

Green vs. Midson = Not sure, Green was far superior last season in terms of helping us go up thoughout the whole season. This season I guess midson might get it as he has some goals, but Green does offer some pace and a different attack option.

Potter vs. Midson = Potter for me, although he has the edge as we have enough CF and not enough winger types.


I believe Craddock/Beano/Potter are obvious stayers at the club. McLean it will be down to wages whether or not we keep him. But Midson/Green one of them may have to make way to alow McLean to stay, I would choose Green to STAY, Midson to GO, Beano/Craddock/McLean are all able to play where midson plays, but out wide we all know midson is less effective but matt green is able to rip through defenses when on form.


Thoughts?

This is not about who your favourite is as such, more a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses and whether we can afford to lose some/all/none of them.

[Long Live Clarkey]

It is brilliant that we can have this discussion, considering near the start of the season we were questioning whether Beano can score goals at league level.

The problem with Green is that he hasn't been on form all season. He scored league goals last season, and provided plenty of assists, almost solely by bombing down the right and cutting it back to Beano. He's got 1 goal in the league cup, and 2 assists in the league as I remember, just one of them being the classic cut back. If we had to make way with 1 person for Maclean, I think it would have to be Green.

Midson may or may not be a good goalscorer, but when played down the middle, he's shown promise. He's also a decent hold-up player and target man. Maclean is probably a worse goalscorer, but an excellent hold up player and target man. While they wouldn't compliment each other so well in a front 2, we should try and keep them both as long as there's a front 3, where Maclean role would be significantly different.

[baldy]

There isnt much between any of them. McLean is undoubtedy the best technical footballer, Constable the most aggressive, Craddock the most unerring finisher, Green the quickest and Midson while not excelling at many aspects probably possesses a bit of everything better than the rest and to a decent enough standard. I dont count Potter as an out and out striker, he's a winger.

For me, Craddock, McLean and Constable would be at the forefront of the managers thinking and he'd generally be looking to perm two from those with Midson and Green both having to take their chance when the oppurtunities present themselves.

Its a healthy position and gone are the days when if Beano is crocked then we're done for. I wouldnt really mind any two from those five and thats a great position. Keeping them all match sharp and happy will be Wilders biggest task.

[Agadoo]

Who remembers the season we went down, we were crying out for just 1 decent striker that year, bringing in crap like Neville Roach, now we have 5 or 6 all fighting for a place. What a difference

[baldy]

Jan 11, 2011 12:30:02 GMT Agadoo said:

Who remembers the season we went down, we were crying out for just 1 decent striker that year, bringing in crap like Neville Roach, now we have 5 or 6 all fighting for a place. What a difference

It probably is, relatively speaking, the best array of forwards this club has ever had. I cant think of a time when we've had so much quality up front. Matt Green is no bad striker but he's fifth choice and that is real depth.

[amarillo]

Jan 11, 2011 8:56:16 GMT baldy said:

There isnt much between any of them. McLean is undoubtedy the best technical footballer, Constable the most aggressive, Craddock the most unerring finisher, Green the quickest and Midson while not excelling at many aspects probably possesses a bit of everything better than the rest and to a decent enough standard. I dont count Potter as an out and out striker, he's a winger.

Agree with that summary

[OxYellow]

Wouldn't write Matt Green off completely, everybody seemed to have forgotten about him, then he started against Torquay last week! he must be doing something right in training to impress Wilder.

Maclean has only scored once since he joined on loan, but he has contributed a lot more in terms of assists and being involved somehow in moves leading up to goals in recent weeks, hopefully if he signs for longer, he will score a few more.

Craddock for me is by far the best finisher at the club, I may be wrong, but its 8 for the season for him now since signing for us, thats only 2 goals behind our top scorer Beano, so he may even end up taking over from him!

[mancunianyellow]

The forwards are all different players and are all used to suit different tactics which is why Wilder has these.

Maclean (Link up play and can score goals from unlikely positions)
Constable (Works hard and has a terrific right foot)
Craddock (Best finisher at the club - can pop up with goals at any time)
Potter (Winger - mostly used when width is needed)
Midson (Less ability than Maclean but works harder)
Green (Paceman)