by Little Shrimp » Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:45 pm
Not sure if I'll be able to find it as it was released during spring I think, but NTT20 did an excellent podcast basically explaining why the 'we need a striker'/'we need a 20 goal a season man' argument is generally a load of rubbish.
Our top scorer in the league is Phillips with 5 goals, then CMG with 4. Newport's top scorers each have 4 (Twine, Amond and Abrahams). Second place Cheltenham's top scorer is Williams with 6, but their next highest tally is 3. Mellish is top scorer for Carlisle in fourth with 7, but he's a defender converted into a central midfielder.
I was listening to a little bit of Mike Flynn's interview, and quite early on he states he doesn't care who scores the goals (12 different people have scored for Newport this season already in the league). Quite right. Do you think Chris Beech gives a toss that it's Mellish who's got 7 and not Alessandra?
We are not going to suddenly sign an Eoin Doyle. If we do get someone, as has been stated above it'll be unknown that we unearth (like Phillips last season) or maybe someone out of form. Max Watters is tearing it up for Crawley on loan from Doncaster - previously the highest tier on the pyramid he looks to have scored at is the seventh (NPL Premier Division). Take Aaron Collins as well - had several unsuccessful loan spells at L2 before coming to us. And Vadaine Oliver has just scored three goals this week in L1.
It's not about someone with a magical goalscoring touch. It's about finding the players that suit our team and can help get the best out of each other.
Also today we did not miss a host of chances that we needed a Gary Lineker type to tuck away. Our best chance after the goal was the save from Phillips, which was created from a decent move and a moment of ingenuity from him. Not something having a poacher on the pitch would have made any difference to.