I think Jon Fortune started as a forward and I know Ashley Cole was too.
Yeah I was about to post I’m sure I read jon fortune was going to be released by us in the academy as he was a pretty hopeless striker and then a bright spark (not sure if it was in fact Steve avory) told him to play centre half and went from strength to strength.
Ian Marshall played defender and striker for Oldham in the late 80s / early 90s
I remember him being down as a defender in a very early Fantasy League when he joined Ipswich. I got him for nothing at the auction when I'd heard that he was going to be used as a striker. Got me loads of points!
1 goal in 4.266 games. when its put like that that is very poor for our number 1 striker.
It's not great reading, but of course goals are not everything and a striker can be equally as effective if he can helped develop or link up play further up the pitch. However currently it appears Josh is barely contributing anything in games apart from his apparent defending from set pieces.
I think a great recent example of this is when we played Gillingham and the difference between Eaves and him was very much on show. Even if you argue that our defenders were poorer than theirs Eaves always seemed to be moving along the line and making an option, where as I just don't see that from Josh currently.
That being said he does seem a lot better the rare times someone who is a bit more mobile like Kag is playing up alongside him.
Chris Sutton probably played more games for Chelsea at centre half than up front. Monster of a man in the air
Paul Warhurst was a quality footballer I remember him absolutely skinning centre forwards when he played at the back and was a proper sticky centre forward too
I still think that Magennis leads the line reasonably well, gets through an immense amount of work for the team, but since Norn Iron were knocked out of the World Cup, has lost his mojo. The edge and sharpness has gone from his game, he's all huff and puff, not a threat anymore and if any player needed taking out of the firing line, it's Josh.
He's keeping his place because his height and heading ability is needed when defending set pieces.
Missing some of our best players, our current team formation leaves him too isolated up front, and exposes the fact that he isn't best cut out to be a lone striker. That's recognised in international games where he's played as a wide forward and his contribution is valued at that level, played in combination with another striker.
You can't but think we need to use him differently, supported in tandem with another forward playing off and around him - but Robbo's sacred system doesn't allow that. He has missed some glaringly good chances recently, but no doubt that goes hand in hand with loss of confidence.
It's ridiculous that we don't have resources within the squad to give him a break.
1 goal in 4.266 games. when its put like that that is very poor for our number 1 striker.
It's not great reading, but of course goals are not everything and a striker can be equally as effective if he can helped develop or link up play further up the pitch. However currently it appears Josh is barely contributing anything in games apart from his apparent defending from set pieces.
I think a great recent example of this is when we played Gillingham and the difference between Eaves and him was very much on show. Even if you argue that our defenders were poorer than theirs Eaves always seemed to be moving along the line and making an option, where as I just don't see that from Josh currently.
That being said he does seem a lot better the rare times someone who is a bit more mobile like Kag is playing up alongside him.
Only I assist all season is just as bad as only scoring 5 goals really, a target man who doesn't score many but sets up lots of chances for other players can be well worth a place in the team. The fact that Sarr has FOUR assists, rather shows up Josh's ineffectiveness this season
1 goal in 4.266 games. when its put like that that is very poor for our number 1 striker.
It's not great reading, but of course goals are not everything and a striker can be equally as effective if he can helped develop or link up play further up the pitch. However currently it appears Josh is barely contributing anything in games apart from his apparent defending from set pieces.
I think a great recent example of this is when we played Gillingham and the difference between Eaves and him was very much on show. Even if you argue that our defenders were poorer than theirs Eaves always seemed to be moving along the line and making an option, where as I just don't see that from Josh currently.
That being said he does seem a lot better the rare times someone who is a bit more mobile like Kag is playing up alongside him.
Only I assist all season is just as bad as only scoring 5 goals really, a target man who doesn't score many but sets up lots of chances for other players can be well worth a place in the team. The fact that Sarr has FOUR assists, rather shows up Josh's ineffectiveness this season
Statistics, eh? Trouble is, statistics don't tell the full story.
They don't tell the movement off the ball to create space, drawing defenders out of position. No mention of the layoff, challenge or header that tees up the player who gets credited with the assist.
You have to remember the overall team contribution made by a player, when a goal is scored. Statistics don't tell you that.
Comments
I think a great recent example of this is when we played Gillingham and the difference between Eaves and him was very much on show. Even if you argue that our defenders were poorer than theirs Eaves always seemed to be moving along the line and making an option, where as I just don't see that from Josh currently.
That being said he does seem a lot better the rare times someone who is a bit more mobile like Kag is playing up alongside him.
Paul Warhurst was a quality footballer I remember him absolutely skinning centre forwards when he played at the back and was a proper sticky centre forward too
I still think that Magennis leads the line reasonably well, gets through an immense amount of work for the team, but since Norn Iron were knocked out of the World Cup, has lost his mojo. The edge and sharpness has gone from his game, he's all huff and puff, not a threat anymore and if any player needed taking out of the firing line, it's Josh.
He's keeping his place because his height and heading ability is needed when defending set pieces.
Missing some of our best players, our current team formation leaves him too isolated up front, and exposes the fact that he isn't best cut out to be a lone striker.
That's recognised in international games where he's played as a wide forward and his contribution is valued at that level, played in combination with another striker.
You can't but think we need to use him differently, supported in tandem with another forward playing off and around him - but Robbo's sacred system doesn't allow that. He has missed some glaringly good chances recently, but no doubt that goes hand in hand with loss of confidence.
It's ridiculous that we don't have resources within the squad to give him a break.
Trouble is, statistics don't tell the full story.
They don't tell the movement off the ball to create space, drawing defenders out of position.
No mention of the layoff, challenge or header that tees up the player who gets credited with the assist.
You have to remember the overall team contribution made by a player, when a goal is scored.
Statistics don't tell you that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Taylor_(footballer,_born_1982)#Early_career_as_a_goalkeeper