Were they really that bad? The stats say so:-
Dickson starts 6 goals 0
Kandol starts 10 goals 2
Burton starts 20 goals 5
Gray starts 21 goals 6
McLead starts 1 goals 0
Fleets starts 0 goals 0
Obviously a few penalties in there, and sub appearances not included (most were last 10 minutes from memory) and Varney's stats aren't on the OS. Many of the above appearances were as a lone striker in games where we just hoofed it up and gave the unfortunate frontman no decent service. Interesting that only Gray had a run of games. PP brought in Burton then dropped him when Kandol arrived, then changed back. I don't think Dicko can be written off on the back of six games, half of those on his own upfront, a role that doesn't suit him. Why was Izzy ignored, he'd hardly failed with a single game back from injury? Who does Parky fancy as our strikeforce next year? Any of the above together, or alongside a newcomer? Or is he going to farm them all out and try some new ones? Any combo he tries will be untested, if it fails are we destined for 4-5-1 again?
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That.
It's a clear problem and Parkinson or any other manager will no doubt bring in at least one striker, if not two or three.
McLeod hasn't had run but most of the games I've seen him he's just not been good enough. Even when he had a good game (West Brom in the FA Cup, playing with Varney I think?), his finishing wasn't good enough.
Dickson can't be written off in League One, but he showed exactly why he hasn't had more chances, especially in the Doncaster game.
Not sure we can afford to keep Gray, and clearly his personal problems would have effected him.
Burton's no goalscorer (well apart from Saturday) but alongside a goalscorer with a bit of pace he'd be useful.
Seen enough of Kandol and I don't think he'll be consistently good enough. There's a reason why he's nowhere near the first team at Leeds any more.
As for Fleetwood, he's behind Dickson for a reason. Going to have to score regularly in the reserves and out on loan like Dickson did before he can start playing. He obviously just wants to play, he said he wouldn't rule out a return to Exeter.
Leicester had Fryatt, Leeds had Beckford, Scunthorpe had Hooper, Peterborough had McLean and Mackail-Smith. We have no-one. Over a season Burton might get us 15 but who else will score goals?
So he says, but my point is that he never really gave any of the above a chance to work in tandem, because our defence (and midfield until ZZ, Racon and Shelvey returned) were so bad. Next year will be a new strikeforce, and who's to say it will gel any better than this year? Will he be tinkering with it like this season (as Pardew before him), never really giving it a chance to combine properly. Dicko looked good with Kandol and McLeod with Varney pulling defences apart, but the combos were broken up after a couple of games because the goals weren't going in. Not enough time IMHO.
I would imagine that Gray will be off loaded so I'd have Burton with one of Mcleod or Dickson.
Well to an extent, McLeod is proven in League Two, and Dickson is proven in a 3 month loan spell. I'd still like us to bring in one or two strikers.
Good point about giving them more time to gel.
That list you could also add Todorov and Waghorn.
Waghorn i'd agree