The Striker Problem

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 27/08/2007

Alan Buckley said he is hoping to bring in a finisher before the transfer window closes next Saturday. He, like everyone else, was disappointed that so many chances were wasted against Macclesfield.

He told Mariners Net: "We have got to fish around and see what's about and maybe do something before next Saturday."

"People are no doubt fed up of listening to the same old spiel from me but unless players are right for this club they won't be joining us.

"There's got to be players out there who are within our means. But, providing they are the right players then we will do our best to bring them to the club."

I have no argument with that statement and I would never have the temerity to suggest that Buckley is wrong.

But it would be very remiss of me not to point out that when he says: "There's got to be players out there who are within our means" he should look first in Blundell Park.

Because we already have finishers within our means and we aren't going to find any 20-30 goals a season people out there who have not already been snapped up.

We will get what we already have, and although in the first few games our finishers have not produced the goods, that doesn't mean that they won't and signing similar players won't resolve the problem.

I cannot argue with the fact that Buckley knows his players and he decided long before the season started that he needed a striker or strikers and made that one of his priorities.

But he never got one.

Why?

Because none of the ones he wanted "were within our means."

If Town really need a striker so badly, then we have to go that extra mile and get one, whatever the cost, because staying within our means, will not fulfill our aims.

I am not suggesting that John Fenty digs into his pocket again. He has done enough of that this year but the club who are already in the cost cutting business, must look at ways of getting the extra cash.

We could for example, get rid of a few of those 'within our means' players if they cannot produce the goods, or even lift the gate prices by a quid.

The Fishy will help too. We have already pledged 5 quid a goal this season and we will send our thirty quid in advance, even if we don't score that many. (Sorry Mr Fenty. lol)

If any of that is not possible, maybe Mr Buckley can get us a decent finisher or two on loan. He has shown in the past he has a few good friends who just might help him out.

But whatever happens, if we don't get one soon, we may be in this division a little longer.

Now if I was in charge, I would be weighing up the cost of getting a decent striker against the cost of not getting out of this division. And you don't need to be a financial genius to get the answer to that calculation.

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