Possible Strikers - Value for money

Based on the rumors that we are after 1 or 2 strikers and us being linked with Le Fondre (Alf), McLeod, Henderson and Paddy Madden, it got me thinking which of these deals would be the best for us.

Alf is probably the best of the bunch, what with him playing in the Championship last season and having a good goal ratio there, but at 28 years old and with a rumored 400k fee, we aren't likely to get that money back. In recent years when we have spent a large sum we have offered 2/3 year contracts, so what would Alf be worth age 30/31 and if we do get promoted within the next 2 seasons will he be able to deliver the goods in the championship at that age.

McLaod (30 yr) and Henderson (30 yr) are a similar situation, both will cost money, McLaod reportedly around 300-400k. They'll both do a job in L1, McLaod is more of a guarantee as he's been consistently getting a good goal ratio over the years, but at 30 will we ever get that money back and will either of these two be effective in the championship, considering they could be 1 or 2 years older by the time we (hopefully) get promoted.

All this said getting promoted would net us quite a bit of money, so its not necessarily lost if one of the above signings results in a return to the Championship, but is it a good investment.

Paddy Madden on the other hand is 25 yrs old, he's a a goal ratio of 1 in 3 with current team Scunny, who finished 16th last season and had a ratio of 1 in 2 with Yeovil before that, so he's consistent. He's not going to be as good as Alf and probably not as good as McLaod, but he will score plenty in L1. At 25 he's likely to improve, which means he could be useful in the Championship, also of the 4 rumored targets his value is the only one likely to increase.

So which would you buy? Alf/Mclaod, who are going to guarantee goals but you'll never see your 400k again, Henderson, who would probabley be the cheapest of the 4, but is a gamble having only really had one recent good season or Madden?

For the record I doubt very much that we are in for Alf, but you can always hope.

 

Lita guaranteed goals. Two by second week of the season. Never again.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bradshaw_(footballer,_born_1992)

This lad fits our criteria and he's the only one apart from Madden who I think could realistically fetch a fee of nearly half a million.

 

I'd go for McLeod because of the type of striker he is. He's quick but he has all the qualities of a good target man (strong, good in the air, holds the ball up well) and he can score goals. In my opinion he would be the perfect partner for Winnall. Also we would be a much bigger threat from corners and Roberts's throw ins if we had McLeod in the box.

 

I'd be happy enough to confirm Simeon Jackson. I can't imagine ALF is remotely realistic.

 

Tom Bradshaws the one I'd most like. Not sure how much he'd cost though.


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Bradshaw is another good one, he's 23 yrs old, 1 in 2 last season, 1 in 3 before that. He's only got 1 year left on his contract, so I'd imagine we could get him cheaper than he's worth.

 

LJ has said he wants 2 more strikers, I doubt we can afford to buy 2, so I imagine we'll buy one of McLeod, Henderson, Bradshaw, Paddy Madden and then the other will likely be a free (Jackson / Ball).

Several weeks ago LJ was quoted saying he wanted 4 different types of strikers so that he could make tactical changes during a game, i think it was in the Chron. He wanted a goalscorer, a tall one, a fast one and an all rounder. By goalscorer I presume he meant a fox in the box type, as you'd hope they are all goalscorers!

I'm guessing Winnall is the goalscorer (as hes not the fastest or tall) and possibly Wilkinson is the all rounder (LJ has described him as not a target man despite being 6ft odd). The decision on Jackson/Ball is probably dependent on what type of striker we buy, as he doesn't want 2 of the same and by the sounds of it we have several bids in place for different strikers.

Hopefully that's the case anyway, with Winnall, Wilkinson, Jackson and one of McLeod/Henderson/Bradshaw/Madden we would have plenty of goals in our team.

 

Sounds like the logical way to go.

 

Pretty sure he signed a new contract a few weeks back, id imagine he'd cost £400k minimum but IMO he's the one most likely to significantly increase in value in a few years.


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When have we ever been linked with Bradshaw? or is it just wishful thinking... Also he has signed a new deal at Walsall

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33252700

 

One way or another, it has been confirmed that we won't be signing McLeod, Madden or Le Fondre so we can rule them out. I'd be happy with Henderson at the right price, considering he had by far his best season last season at the age of 30. Bradshaw would be more favourable in my opinion. Still think Jackson would be worth a deal seen as he's a free agent.

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ALF signed for Wolves on loan.

Madden stated by scunny to be signing a contract extension this week.

Bradshaw would be great but contract extended.

McLeod looking to leave Crawley and turned 100k down from Notts Cty.

Henderson all gone quiet.

Given the age of our squad I think we can afford an older striker as long as it's not a 'has been' I.e. Lita, Treacy

This is turning into an interesting game of speculation

 

Does that rule out Jackson?

 

Suarez signed a contract extension before moving to Barca, Contracts mean nothing

 

Nothing is set in stone, but it does put the selling club in a stronger position. That why it would be a advantage if Holgate signed a longer deal

 

Not for me. I would take him on his showing if he can stay injury free we have someone who can score. However I'm with LJ on this and depends on the prospects we have offers with

 

I hope it's Bradshaw, but I can't imagine it is. Billy McKay is rumoured to be on his way out of Wigan. He could fit the bill, with Johnson previously mentioning his connections in Scottish Football. Weren't we also linked with him before he signed for Wigan?