by azriahmad » Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:46 pm
We lacked bite up front because our strikers have failed to even do the simplest thing and work together.
I agree that Baros should have squared to Cisse, who was in a better position, instead of trying on his own and let the opportunity slip when the goal was there for the taking. Cisse was incensed with him. Strikers need to be selfish but then, both of them are overly selfish with each other and Cisse, for such an expensive buy, has to be more clinical.
Baros was ever eilling to drop back and get balls early and try to make chances or take on defenders. Cisse was unwilling to do this at all and would bollock his partner off when he does not get the passes. His work rate improved a bit in the second half, but still not good enough. From what I have seen so far, his main usable asset has been only his pace as he does not like to put in some more extra work unlike Baros. It seems that he wants to be on the end of passes in the penalty area but does not want to dig in. If he keeps this up, we will not get much return from him - we don't have enough quality on the flanks to give him gilt-edged crosses from which he scores some of his goals for Auxerre.
I think the solution is we need a more powerful striker who can play with either Baros or Cisse, and not playing them together. It has to be one or the other and not both, but for me, for all of his failings, Baros would be my pick out of the two because he is willing to work that much more, whereas Cisse expects sterling service but does not do much work and is so easily dispossessed and is not remotely clinical enough. These shortcomings are too woeful for a 14 million player.
I know many here would disagree with me but I think of the 2, Cisse is the one who has to improve on his attitude and work rate.