2 weeks Ago
It could still be the case that the top scorer in the second tier this season is a player who doesn’t get out of the teens, with only two currently having netted 15 or more. So, while Watford have not had a prolific marksman for some time, there seems to be a lack of them generally – certainly outside the top-flight. “Those guys who can do all that is asked of a modern-day No.
9 are usually playing in the Premier League,” admitted Tom Cleverley. “It’s very difficult to identify that kind of player. “I still think teams are creating enough for their No.
9s to reach those goalscoring numbers though. “But work out of possession, pressing from the front, that plays a big part of the No.9 role now.
“Maybe finishing is something you’re willing to sacrifice a bit for that.” The current leading marksman is Norwich’s Borja Sainz, with 17. “The top goalscorer in the league is a left-sided forward,” Cleverley pointed out.
“Modern-day football lends itself a bit more to attacking midfielders or inverted wingers scoring goals. “Everyone is searching for that No.9 that can score 20 or 25 goals.
“Ever since I came back in January 2017 we’ve not had that player. “Troy, in the years before I came back, was that player, along with Ighalo and Vydra. “Since I’ve been back at the club we’ve managed to be fairly successful with the likes of Joao Pedro chipping in with 10, Andre Gray getting eight or nine, Troy getting 10 or 12.
“It’s an area of the pitch where we’ve managed to do fairly well with not having a 20 to 25 scorer. “Bayo has scored his share and we are trying to get the best out of him between now and the end of the season.” The head coach admitted that while putting the ball in the net is as important as ever, it is not the only skill clubs are looking for when it comes to strikers.
“I’m sure me and nearly every other coach in the country looks at a No.9 and thinks ‘can he press from the front’,” he said. “If he can’t, then he’s got to be one hell of a finisher.
“Pressing I would put right up with the qualities of finishing and creating, along with holding the ball up. “You have to be a much more complete player than just being a finisher now as a No.9.
” While Watford have only netted twice in their last five, they haven’t been without opportunities. “As a coach, if you’re not creating chances and not scoring then you have a real problem,” said Cleverley. “In the last two games overall, we made chances.
“In the first half at Oxford we had a great chance from a set piece, we had Moussa’s one v one. “Against Plymouth in the second half we had bundles of chances. “We are getting the chances, and I was impressed with Bayo’s movement to get in those areas against Plymouth.
“We are missing that final bit at the minute, and I think KB brings us that spark that we have maybe been missing around the box. “The balance of the team now has the potential to look a little bit better.”.
