On 16/05/2026 at 11:24, man in the pub said:

Feel that as much as this squad was criticised, justly so in some cases, put 2 goalscoring strikers into that same side and we stayed up. It wasn't a terrible goals against column that took us down but a terrible goals for column. We didn't seem to have learnt that strikers with records like Lofty and Uche wont keep you up. 

So yes look to improve us all over the pitch but please take my main point on board and focus on bringing in 2 genuine goalscoring strikers. Use Stockley and Waine as backup.

I really don't think its that simple we have tried loads of different strikers and they have all failed. I believe there is a problem in midfield that have to address. Our delivery from wide areas was sporadic to non existent, we very rarely have anyone making defence splitting passes or carrying the ball forwards and committing defenders to make space for strikers. They were feeding off scraps which made every chance a pressure shot because they knew they might not get another.

 

Our whole approach has been defensive we saw other teams miss chances against us but they still beat us because they created more and eventually stuck a couple away.

On 15/05/2026 at 21:57, PV1993 said:

Nice list that. I do think looking at players that have done it one level lower than the level you’re at is the way forward: not too much of a step up, players that can make the club some money.

I haven’t watched much NL but what do you know of Halifax? They’ve got a couple of goalscorers in Harris and Hmami but I don’t know too much on them apart from some stats

I've watched a few Halifax games yeah. Harris always looked decent, big/strong/mobile and has scored a fair few this season. I wouldn't be adverse to us signing him.

Hmami isn't one I'm too familiar with to be honest! Mustn't have stood out when I've watched Halifax (but what do I know haha?!). Weren't we linked with him in January?

20 hours ago, werstayinup said:

Another loan striker who did well in league two and also from Charlton is Daniel Kanu who was at Walsall and got 15 in 40 games

These are the type of loan strikers we need to find

Walsall have recruited excellently on the loan striker front over the last 3 seasons:

• 2023-24: Freddie Draper 10 goals in 25 games
• 2024-25: Nathan Lowe 18 goals in 30 games
• 2025-26: Daniel Kanu 18 goals in 44 games

Can't we poach their striker scout?!

I really don't think its that simple we have tried loads of different strikers and they have all failed. I believe there is a problem in midfield that have to address. Our delivery from wide areas was sporadic to non existent, we very rarely have anyone making defence splitting passes or carrying the ball forwards and committing defenders to make space for strikers. They were feeding off scraps which made every chance a pressure shot because they knew they might not get another.
 
Our whole approach has been defensive we saw other teams miss chances against us but they still beat us because they created more and eventually stuck a couple away.

Exactly this. I've said it for years. Get the midfield right and actually use it (eg stop the Connor Hall special lump to nobody) as an offensive tool and we'll score even with average strikers who have a little composure. We could have had Haaland and Salah up top for the past few seasons and still drawn blanks with the crap service predicated on a defensive mindset

2 hours ago, kevin_struggles said:

I really don't think its that simple we have tried loads of different strikers and they have all failed. I believe there is a problem in midfield that have to address. Our delivery from wide areas was sporadic to non existent, we very rarely have anyone making defence splitting passes or carrying the ball forwards and committing defenders to make space for strikers. They were feeding off scraps which made every chance a pressure shot because they knew they might not get another.

 

Our whole approach has been defensive we saw other teams miss chances against us but they still beat us because they created more and eventually stuck a couple away.

Interesting that strikers who failed to score with us equally failed to score when they moved onto other teams. I genuinely believe that our problem has been recruiting non goalscoring strikers. Tolaj was scoring for us so it was possible in this current squad.

25 minutes ago, man in the pub said:

Interesting that strikers who failed to score with us equally failed to score when they moved onto other teams. I genuinely believe that our problem has been recruiting non goalscoring strikers. Tolaj was scoring for us so it was possible in this current squad.

I think one thing to take now is with strikers is they often rely on confidence. If every other match the ball bobbles pretty much every time you take a shot or can kill your confidence and you can stop shooting. Someone's that confidence never comes back.

Interesting that strikers who failed to score with us equally failed to score when they moved onto other teams. I genuinely believe that our problem has been recruiting non goalscoring strikers. Tolaj was scoring for us so it was possible in this current squad.

Tolaj scored 1 in 4 for us this season. Went on to score 17 in 29 for Argyle. It was largely our set up.

I accept that quality strikers can do it, but with us it's with a handicap

You can't use Cole as a reliable yardstick. He barely started for Luton

1 hour ago, valeparklife said:

I've watched a few Halifax games yeah. Harris always looked decent, big/strong/mobile and has scored a fair few this season. I wouldn't be adverse to us signing him.

Hmami isn't one I'm too familiar with to be honest! Mustn't have stood out when I've watched Halifax (but what do I know haha?!). Weren't we linked with him in January?

Jay Turner-Cooke is the player who makes them tick.

3 hours ago, valeparklife said:

Walsall have recruited excellently on the loan striker front over the last 3 seasons:

• 2023-24: Freddie Draper 10 goals in 25 games
• 2024-25: Nathan Lowe 18 goals in 30 games
• 2025-26: Daniel Kanu 18 goals in 44 games

Can't we poach their striker scout?!

We certainly have to improve scouting in the striker department 

I would also like us to look at Mellon as a loan option from Burnley

We certainly have to improve scouting in the striker department 
I would also like us to look at Mellon as a loan option from Burnley

Will fit right in [emoji57]

Blow for Latics as full extent of Michael Mellon's injury is revealed

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3 hours ago, philmpv said:

Exactly this. I've said it for years. Get the midfield right and actually use it (eg stop the Connor Hall special lump to nobody) as an offensive tool and we'll score even with average strikers who have a little composure. We could have had Haaland and Salah up top for the past few seasons and still drawn blanks with the crap service predicated on a defensive mindset

Completely agree. This is my main concern for next season as players like Byers, Walters, Shipley and recently Garrity dont score any goals. 

1 hour ago, werstayinup said:

We certainly have to improve scouting in the striker department 

I would also like us to look at Mellon as a loan option from Burnley

He’s of contract with Burnley this summer

 

Completely agree. This is my main concern for next season as players like Byers, Walters, Shipley and recently Garrity dont score any goals. 

Byers is a holding midfielder so i dont expect him to be a goal scorer. Walters doesn't know what he is yet and Shipley will have moved on by then (I hope).
Im hopeful that with a good preseason Ben will come back strong (assuming he signs).
I would like to think that next season we have strikers who can score to take the pressure off everyone else contributing.

5 hours ago, philmpv said:

Tolaj scored 1 in 4 for us this season. Went on to score 17 in 29 for Argyle. It was largely our set up.

I accept that quality strikers can do it, but with us it's with a handicap

You can't use Cole as a reliable yardstick. He barely started for Luton

 

I think Phil it helped him massively that his strike partner at Plymouth , Pepple was also scoring goals, 18.  I am sure I read a stat , probably on OVF , that our chance creation was good. Implying that balls were coming into the box at an acceptable rate but weren't being converted. Plymouths 2 strikers were obviously  converting  more of their chances.