Search for a striker riddled with pitfalls

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 29 January 2015


ATHLETIC’S dilemma isn’t a new one - and nor is it peculiar to a club that seems perennially in search of a prolific scorer.

How do you identify the perfect player who can add that crucial, regular touch of quality in front of goal, while also keeping fit and only requiring a modest salary?

That’s the crux of manager Lee Johnson’s problem. A restricted budget means risks must be taken. A complete, established player is simply too costly for clubs of Athletic’s means.

While the squad is certainly a striker short, it is worth remembering that Johnson has already struck gold for this season’s forward line.

He didn’t play a game last season at Southampton and had threatened to drop off the radar completely, but thanks to a lightning-quick opening to his current year, Jonathan Forte has already scored 13 times for Athletic. Injuries have hampered his progress recently and he has managed to play only once in 2015.

So as it stands, Athletic are reliant on a front two of Dominic Poleon and Amari Morgan-Smith, both promising but with only two league goals at Athletic between them.

So, where to turn to next?

Johnson could go back for Ibehre. His hold-up play can be very good and his work ethic is appreciated by team mates. But history suggests Ibehre’s scoring record never will be better than fairly poor.

Bargains are undoubtedly available, but it isn’t an exact science. One route Athletic could go down is by looking into the Championship for hungry players not getting game-time, at clubs willing to subsidise their wages out on loan.

The club could even try to borrow a promising Premier League talent. That route has clear pitfalls though. Jordi Hiwula is hailed as Manchester City’s next big thing in front of goal, but managed one goal in nine games for Yeovil when sent out to Huish Park earlier this season.

There are never any guarantees, and fewer still when it comes to goal scorers.

Johnson continually insists he has the best possible information to go on, with no possibilities in the country that have not been looked at closely by the manager and his team of staff and scouts.

At some stage, he may have to use that information, roll the dice, and hope.