My question is do we even have someone we can consider a fourth choice striker? I've heard a lot of positive things about Pekhart and Hamed, two of our younger players, then there's also Dawkins, who I know almost nothing about. Hell, what I've seen from O'Hara suggests that he would be more than willing to try it out there. Would we choose to stick Lennon into a forward position? Will they even bother with making a fourth choice in the position? I really just don't know.
Can only assume it would be 4-5-1 up front with either Malbranque or Taarabt playing off the frontman as an attacking mid.
Probably the best bet of player we've seen in the first team so far this season, though I have a feeling Ramos wouldn't be afraid to pull the trigger on one of the young players if the situation arose. I think Lennon could also play up top in a pinch. We've got a lot of players who can play in multiple positions, which is so useful in an emergency. It may not be ideal to play Lennon or Steed up top, but they could certainly do an admirable jobof it if needed.
There's a lot to like about Lennon getting forward and about Taarabt playing close to goal, but IMHO, the best bet is Malbranque. He's a midfielder for sure, and we'd be playing a 451 as sendo mentioned, but he's a true goal-scorer, and if we're short up top he'd pair well with any of our 3 forwards. Berbatov, obviously, would be the best pairing as he's so silky smooth, a big target forward opening up room for Malbranque and Berbs is a great team player and creator. Bent has the physically imposing attributes, but is less of a creator--though he'd still pull the defense out of shape and allow Steed to slip into open areas. Keane would probably be the hardest pairing, but to be honest, it woudl work quite a bit like the Manchester United pairing of Rooney and Tevez, where they each get into good positions and create for one another. So, if we need a 4th striker, I expect Steed Malbranque to fill that role the rest of this season. In the offseason, Ramos is gonna bring in someone else, of that I'm certain. Personally, I'd like to see Pekhart get a run out, but it doesn't look to be happening this season. -Digital
Is everyone certain that they'd like to see Steed up front with all the sitters he's missed in tight situations lately? I know having him in a striker or long shot position wouldn't make me particularly comfortable. Taarabt on the other hand, that could be fun to watch.
Here's Ramos' take: (from http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/transferwindowwrapup.html) “I am comfortable in having three strikers because we have players here who can also operate as a second striker in the likes of Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque and Adel Taarabt. Jermain Defoe’s departure also gives an opportunity for some of our younger forwards to impress and stake a claim for a regular place in the First Team squad and, with the quality we have coming through the Development Squad and Academy, that is important. Jamie is an example of how productive that route is.” Would be nice to see Pekhart, perhaps, at least getting time to train with the first team.