Who is going to hold up the ball up front?

[Dando]

Not trying to be negative as i think we have a great looking side - but despite the quality and flair - who is going to win the headers up front and hold up the ball in a Furlong like way? I have no doubt that we have the players to pass the ball up the pitch - but time and time again the ball gets crossed in and there is nobody ever attacking and winning the headers. Also - whther we like it or not, the defenders continuously seem to want to hoof the ball upfield - and it goes to the opposition a majority of the time, as we have nobody to win it, or hold it up.

Not being negative - but surely this a weakness that needs sorting out?

[qblockpete]

Hold it up?

Why?

We have pace up front, most defenders in this league are tall and win headers.

Why should we play to there strengths by lumping the ball up the pitch?

They will frightened with pace and skill, we have it in abudance

[HammersmithR]

Pete, that's a poor argument. To get the best out of players like Owen, Rooney, Defoe etc. they need a big man upfront with them.

We have Helguson (rubbish), Pelicori (I have seen enough and so bloody slow) and Agymang (can't even jump!)

[Dando]

We dont have to lump it up the pitch - but how many headers do we win from crosses? How many times do the wingers put in good crosses, and nobody is ever there to head home? I see what you are saying - but at the end of the day, i think we are a bit lightweight up front

[hhrangers]

you dont need to play a long ball to hold it up. play it to their feet and they hold off defenders whilst you get forward to help them.

i.e. what helguson should be doing.

pellicori i think could be good at this. big, tall and strong(ish)

[Bernie's Barnet]

Pete, that's a poor argument. To get the best out of players like Owen, Rooney, Defoe etc. they need a big man upfront with them.

We have Helguson (rubbish), Pelicori (I have seen enough and so bloody slow) and Agymang (can't even jump!)

Who's the big man upfront with Rooney and Owen at ManU then?

[WeAreQPR12]

Barnet you will find that Berba starts every game. People don't give him credit for his arial threat. He can play the target man and holds the ball up better than anyone. Owen and Rooney doesn't work but lets not forget QPR aren't man united and we don't play football like them. Reality check please. I agree with Gill as we do send long balls espically when we decide to hold on for the last 20mins of games. Helguson needs to start IMHO and I don't rate him it is just we didn't sign the forward that Simpson requires.

[Robsondinho]

A striker has to hold the ball up at some points in the game even if its passed to his feet.

[paulmason]

Hold it up?

Why?

We have pace up front, most defenders in this league are tall and win headers.

Why should we play to there strengths by lumping the ball up the pitch?

They will frightened with pace and skill, we have it in abudance

Pete I love opinions but the thing that scares the life out of me is that you are saying what Paladini truly thinks.

[stainrodisalegend]

Think now we have Watson we just have to hope defenders will play it short through the middle and Fitz etc won't keep launching these long balls which are ridiculous with our strike force. Agree we need a target man to compliment Simpson so at least you can varry your game. Sometimes a five man fluid midfield with Simpson might work really well, other times when we need a goal with five minutes to go you often need a big strong player. Look at Drogba - he virtually fights people off the ball. Obviously we can't expect anyone of remotely that class, but we need someone in that mould.

[RatpackR]

I do like these debates; it shows the traditional thinking football fans and the more open minded fans (that’s not having a pop at anyone, just an observation!)

You could highlight teams with a big man holding the ball up, Drogba, Kevin Davis, Carlton Cole, Rob Hulse etc.
Yet on the flip sid3, you have your Arsenal, Van Persie is the lone striker but not a target man, neither was Bergkamp nor Henry. Rooney was upfront on his own against Arsenal, not really a target man either. But they seem to do alright!

I have to say I’m with pete on this one, keep it on the deck, drag your Chris Morgens out of position, scare the shi te out of them with pace and movement..

[HammersmithR]

Who's the big man upfront with Rooney and Owen at ManU then?

Berbatov

["The Housewifes Choice"]

Agyemang

I say let him start up-front with Simpson for the next 3 matches

[Rangersw12]

Who's the big man upfront with Rooney and Owen at ManU then?

Berbatov

[Rangersw12]

Would like us to sign Stead from Ipswich who would be the perfect foil for Simpson