We need a striker, just who is the question

We’ve bought well this offseason, and performances by and large have been very pleasing (save for the Forest game). One thing that is certainly noticeable to me is that we’re crying out for another striker, and I think this is a position of priority going into the new season.

In our friendlies so far we’ve scored 7 goals in 5 games. Not too bad, and certainly not as dire as last season, but considering the standard of opposition it could be viewed as a cause for concern. We’ve played some great football, we look good in possession and players actually want the ball, a marked improvement on the McLeish reign.

As we saw under Eck though, at times we struggle to find a cutting edge, and against Forest (ignoring the two disallowed goals) we didn’t really create many clear cut chances. We scored a screamer through Bannan, but this came via a set piece. We’ve also scored a few times from corners, which of course is a very positive sign after last year, but the lack of goals from open play is a bit of a worry.

Bent will start every game when fit, and while I rate Weimann extremely highly, perhaps it’s asking too much for him to be starting week in and week out. Gabby has struggled the past few seasons, and a record of 8 goals in 62 games is a worry, regardless of position, form, injuries etc. The Fonz flatters to deceive, sometimes looking great, and at others looking like the Premiership is too big a stage for him.

Stuart James at the Guardian has just produced an excellent season review on us (Season Review) and we had a little twitter exchange on what we think we’re missing:

UTV: ‘Good read mate. Bang on as well,especially with regards to a need for a new striker. As you say, more of a step than a leap!’

SJ: ‘cheers. Who would you like that striker to be? (Realistic suggestions only!)’

UTV: ‘I think we’re crying out for a more physical type of striker. Lambert has had success with this type before. Lukaku on loan?’

SJ: ‘agreed. As a purely short term option, I wonder how Holt would have done alongside Bent if he’d left Norwich.’

UTV: ‘Think he would have done a good job. I want someone of the ilk of Holt, just wasn’t keen on GH due to the fee/no resale etc.’

As you can probably tell from the exchange above, I think we’re in need of a physical striker, how about you people though? Lukaku would be ideal for me, he’s been linked with Fulham, and has said he’ll only go on loan to a side in the Premiership so why not? Some hate loans, and while we’ve been burned before, we’re never realistically going to sign someone like Lukaku, so I’d be happy taking him for a year or two.

Lambert has had success with a ‘bigger’ type of striker, we could desperately do with another imposing body in the side, so for me that would be ideal.

Anyone have any other suggestions, or types of striker they would like to see at Villa Park? As per would love to hear from you.

UTV.