Do Villa Really Need Another Striker?

Now I have seen quite a lot of people talking about the next piece of the jigsaw being a forward. I have been thinking quite a lot about this because I don’t think we really need a forward, at least not until the Christmas window at least.

I have seen Sturridge mentioned, along with the lad from Man Citeh who has just had a storming season on loan. First of all, it is very doubtful either of the player’s parent clubs would let them leave and second, it is even more doubtful that we could foot the bill for such a move.

We currently have five quality strikers on our books with lots of different qualities, all of which can play with each other given half the chance. So is there really a need to spend money on wages and signing-on fee? Don’t get me wrong, I understand we lost Emile, but with all due respect, we never really counted on his goals during a season so I cant see that we really need to replace him in an urgent manner.

Now lets look at what we have and why it can and will work:

Bent – Arguably one of the league’s best goal poachers, he knows where the net is, there is no doubt. PR paints him as being fired up for this season, so it is going to be exciting to see what he delivers. Likes to play on his own, but could quite easily work with any of our other strikers given half a chance.

Agbonlahor – This is a make-or-break season for our longest serving player. He wants to be a one-club man and what’s more, most of the fans want him to be too. He has never really delivered on the promise, but he could—he has something that makes him a little bit different, he is one of us. Until he gives up on us we can’t give up on him. Play him in the right place with the right player and he can be the player we all want him to be. Could easily play with any of the others in the right system.

Weimann – Hungry, eager, and so far has answered all the questions asked of him. He is worth a go up front and could easily make himself a regular given half the chance—he just needs the chance to show us more of what he can do.

Delfouneso – Even though he is a youth player it feels like he has been around for ages. There have been question marks over his attitude having been over looked by almost four managers now. I feel it really is the Last-Chance Saloon for Nathan, but he obviously has quality and ability or he wouldn’t have been around the international scene or our club for so long. I just feel he has to start showing us what he can do now.

Drennan – Yes, not technically in our line-up, but he is in the same boat as Weimann was and this lad looks the business. Surely the next striker of our talented conveyor belt. One for the future maybe, but shouldn’t we start getting them in the squad younger? Doesn’t everyone else? If they have the talent and ability then surely they should be playing as soon as they can.

Every year we say the same thing about our youth—that they should be getting game time. Now the chance is here and we have got to let them have the opportunity that is presented to them. Wouldn’t it be unfair to go out and purchase another striker when we have players who could quite easily step up to the plate?

I cant see any reason why any of the players listed above can not play with each other in effective formations. I think they haven’t up ‘til now because we haven’t had a manager brave enough to give them half a chance. Mr Lambert is different: He wants to play football.

So those are my thoughts on our current crop. Don’t get me wrong, I would love Sturridge to come home. I also think Carroll could do a job for us as well, but I just can’t see it happening and what’s more, I don’t think it is really a pressing issue either.

Buts that’s me and what I think on forward issue. Share your thoughts on what you think the answer is.