Quote:
Originally Posted by Rowem
Im not falling back on it. My argument comes in three parts.
1. Ashton is more talented. Manucho looks very good of what Ive seen for Angola, although has struggled at Pansomethingikea. Ashton just looks better. Looks better with the ball at his feet. Better movement off it. Looks a little more aggresive in nature.
2. Ashton is used to the roughness and pace of the PL. Thats not writing off Manucho, its just fact. Ashton can definately hack it, and I would be alot more confident with him on the bench.
3. For a BACKUP player, you want someone who can step in immediately and do a job, e.g. O'Shea and Fletcher. For that, you want someone proven. You want someone who wont need TIME to adjust, because if they only get the odd game here and there then one thing they dont have is time.
So far youve responded to only one of these points  |
all decent enough points.
except, perhaps it is not unexpected for a player to struggle having come to Europe for the first time. and he's only been there a couple of months. after a gruelling tournament.
if one were to always go with the 'tried and tested', a lot of very good players would never make an impression in this league. the fact that SAF has had a look and signed Manucho gives me more confidence. he's not infallible, but that's a big boost for me.
i'm not sure about the backup bit.
let's look at our situation. we have definitely brought in Manucho, so that's Tevez, Rooney and Manucho as our striking players (i'm not counting Saha, since he'll probably be sold; and even if he isn't, he won't really be available anyway through injury).
imo, we have to be looking at a top class centre forward as a different option, someone like Saha, with pace, athleticism, good technique and movement. i don't think it realistic for us to be after a fourth-choice-type player. which rules Ashton out.