The Way Forward ?

It seems that Alan Curbishley is convinced that 4-5-1 is THE way forward. I have no argument with this except one. And that is, IF we are to play this as our preferred system then during the next transfer window we need to sign at least one striker, and preferably two, who are able to play the role of the lone forward to better effect than Shaun Bartlett does. Now, I’m not knocking Shaun’s work-rate, which is unquestionable, but his ability to do that which is necessary. To my mind that is acting as a target man with a physical presence who can hold off defenders, hold the ball up, bring other supporting players into the game and, when chances come their way, take those chances with greater consistency than Shaun is able to. If Shaun had scored with the headed chance he had in the second half against West Brom there is no doubt that we would have then been able to hold out for at least a share of the spoils if not all three points. AC is right in that we do have available the players required to make 4-5-1 work successfully; Rommerdahl, Thomas and Murphy for example, except I believe for the position that is the most vital to it’s success. Let’s hope that is rectified during the summer.