Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
What do people think; do Dorking need to sign a new striker for the second half of season?
Marc has said a few times in recent interviews that he thinks he has the right bodies in the building already which would suggest no more signings. However, we've recently sold Seager, Rutherford is out on loan building fitness and McShane has torn his ACL. This leaves only Prior and Ottaway as the forward options at the club. Ottaway has never been prolific and Prior has been in and out of the side with injuries this season. We have 3 Sat/Tues weeks in a row coming up and you feel Prior would struggle to get through every game of that, especially as Ottaway has had his own injuries recently.
Seems a big gamble to hope that Alfie rediscovers his goalscoring form when he returns this month. We might not see the best of Alfie until next season really.
Interestingly, since we joined the National League, we've only signed two strikers. One of them has since left (Seager) and the other was a replacement for himself (Prior). Doesn't seem to be an area we invest heavily in nowadays.
Think either a new striker or a loan recall for Alfie is a no-brainer. We are the joint 4th lowest scoring side in the league and we concede a lot relative to other sides too. Tactically JP is being required to defend deeper than he usually does and the long ball game headers to Ottaway aren't working like they did in second half of last season. Not trying to be negative, the league standard this season is very high and Marc does proactively recruit to address problems when needed
@georges Pretty sure this weekend is Alfie's last game at Weymouth as it was only a 28 day loan and that would end Mon/Tuesday next week. Should hopefully be available for York but would imagine he will definitely be back for Gateshead at the very least.
I agree though, a striker is definitely needed considering our goal tally this season and I just don't have the confidence in the fitness of our current strikers. I'm really surprised we haven't looked at some loan options this season considering we played 2 months with one winger and the last month or so with no strikers.
@calvertskans Think we would also benefit more from Bobby-Joe getting closer to 90 mins than just coming off the bench. Kept a note of recent games and we create significantly more chances with him involved.
@georges With Briggs and Muitt both out, it is a really good opportunity for Bobby to nail down a place in the side.
Interesting discussion. I'm a big fan of Bobby Joe and feel that, for whatever reason he's underused. The energy levels seem to rise the moment he comes on.
Anyway, re. strikers I'd say yes, we probably do, given the injuries/fitness levels. Especially during busier times when there are midweek games.
Still not sure why we sold Seagar, as balancing the books makes no sense if it means we just have to buy elsewhere. Prior is of course a legend, but is he getting more prone to injury? Ottaway another underrated one, scores plenty, including some real Crackers, and his energy level is insane. Plus he's more skilful than he gets credit for. Again, should be a starter for me.
@adeb I like Ottaway and he's a great player to have in the squad but he's been here 2 years now and has something like 10 total league goals for the club. Realistically he's a 3rd or 4th choice striker at this level.
I'd like to see us sign a quick striker as I feel Prior and Ottaway are quite similar target man strikers and Alfie is a good all round player. We don't have much pace in the team as our wingers aren't particularly rapid either (Briggs was rapid before the injury and Muitt is fairly quick to be fair but neither have been at their best this season). A quick striker would add an extra dimension to our side.
@calvertskans Yes I have to agree re pace. Definitely lacking now, improved a bit with Barrowman back, and Fuller can be remarkably quick given his age, but a fast striker plus more of Bobby Joe really would quicken things up
My understanding regarding Rutherford going on loan was that:
Oxford Home,
Oxford away,
Oldham home
were all on plastic pitches which aren't perfect for rehab, then Macclesfield he was cup tied.
So it made sense to get game time elsewhere
Hopefully someone is watching his games and reporting back to DW
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I think the main reason why gaols have been hard to come by is the absence of fit wingers for so long. There have not been many good crosses going in - I don’t recall too many bad misses from forwards.
I agree that Bobby Joe makes a big difference on the crosses front and deserves more game time, but even then it seems sensible, if possible, to get cover in for Prior and Alfie given their different injury stories.
Agree definitely need another striker . With McShane injured, and Seager gone 3 is not enough. If we can't get one in permanently we should get some one in on loan.
Due to injuries, wingers and midfielders have also not been scoring as many goals as previous seasons which is why we unusually are one of the lower scorers in the league
