Yes, but BL1 is a big step up from the Swiss Super League, and his last step up - from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 - didn't go terribly well. In fact it was a total bust, which is how he wound up in Switzerland to begin with. That doesn't mean that he won't succeed at Union Berlin, just that it pays to be cautious.
Not confident about Pefok in the Bundesliga, and I want to see Haji do it again. Can they? Sure, I think. I just believe Dike will no matter what if healthy. That’s all. Always has when healthy.
Sarge used to light it up every preseason. What’s your point? I mean, yeah, it’s better to score than not, but I’ll wait unto the games matter.
Dike certainly has more tools physically then either of those guys. He can really lean into the battering ram game if he needs to and the question remains how many other styles he can develop. Haji, Pefok, Sarge, Pepi, Ferrería are all some flavor of poacher/opportunist. As always, hoping Dike's all action style can keep him on the pitch through the World Cup...
My point is our big men are going into the season on a positive note. one or two may continue their trend and make the final 26.
It would be awesome if someone would actually score some league goals. Maybe Sarge will be the bizarro Sarge this time around. No scoring in pre-season and shoot the thrill bag-o-goals when it matters during league games!
What? What are the physical tools except he is thicker? Is he faster, does he dribble people, is he an exceptional passer? I like him but let's see if he can earn a spot
Well, looking his Barnsley sojourn, I wouldn't ignore his physical presence as a tool. Even though he's only 6' 2 - which is not that tall for a striker in England - and playing in the fast and physical Championship, he was a real handful for defences and dew endless fouls as a result of their being unable to deal with his physicality legally. I haven't seen enough to comment on his soccer IQ but he seems pretty bright. If that translates to his play, he could cause a lot of problems, especially in the group stages
Won't go down the pace debate, but in short, yes. That's right. He's quite a bit thicker, seems stronger, and will and can bully his defender(s). Our other guys not so much. And of course he has to earn a spot, for club and country, but given his particular game, if he's playing and playing reasonably well, he's probably starting
Maybe it would be ease to agree on who we'd choose if we had to pick just one guy (assuming, say, all were healthy and in reasonable form) for a must-win MNT game tomorrow, but I'm not sure that's the case. Without derailing this thread, you've got a bunch of characteristics mixed among guys in the pool, between physical presence, speed, finishing, movement, link-up play, risk/reward... I guess I know how I'd rank them, but I figure reasonable people would disagree.
[QUOTE="Dave Marino-Nachison, post: 40654796, member: 4768" I guess I know how I'd rank them, but I figure reasonable people would disagree.[/QUOTE] I disagree!
This is a really important point that Dave makes. Can the USMNT win one or two matches without a #9 firing? Probably. Can we advance to QF or deeper in the tournament with a gooseegg from the #9 position? Probably not. Thus, heavily reliant on: Players like Dike being healthy and playing well for their clubs to give Coach Berhalter different options via the dimensions you outlined,and then (and this is where I worry), Berhalter choosing an option for each match from that pool that balances player form, a gameplan that maximizes our strengths, attacks each opponents weakness, and minimizes their (defensive) strengths. Eitherway, having Dike score goals for West Brom, and his competition scoring for their clubs solidifies one component of a challenging equation, so the more the merrier.
For a big 9, I'd go with someone who has proven something, and that's Pefok. I like Dike but hasnt led any league in anything.
Good to know - but just a reminder this is a club thread. Who people would pick belongs more next door.
Well some would say we've gone 20+ years winning without a striker really firing but I'll stop here and speculate on Dike's favorite tea time snack thus far. I'm gonna say he's a Jammie Dodger kind of guy.
Stumbled across this on line, heavy in adverts, a bit low in substance, but a few Wallace quotes with words like Lad and centre forward and fixture. "But not only is he a big lad, he is very, very, mobile and you saw that with the goal." etc. https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...llace-daryl-dike-can-be-west-brom-difference/
Bet on it: Also seen some cool UK betting odds for Championship Golden Boot. Teemu Pukki is 6/1 and the favorite, Daryl Dike is 14/1.— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) July 28, 2022