Many are demanding we invest in a new striker in the January window, as if that would solve our lack of goals (only Watford have scored fewer)

Surely the problem is our malfunctioning midfield?

Ayew, Townsend and Zaha are not even getting 'scraps' to feed on, still less someone capable of taking a corner or crossing the ball - hence Benteke's ineffectivness.

Ayew runs his guts off but all he gets are high balls (just like Gayle used to)

By all accounts (and this is only a rumour in the case of Camarasa) we have 3 skilful midfielders who can pass the ball - Meyer and McCarthy. Yet both have been criticised for being hassled off the ball, none have started and get only 10 minutes or so as subs.

I appreciate our existing midfield (Milovesic, Kouyate, McArthur) is set up as a defensive shield but none are productive and struggle to pass the ball forward.

Consequently it is unfair to have a go at our forwards as they have little to work with.

Our next game is Liverpool and our present defensive line-up just may keep the score down to 2 or 3 goals but if we were a bit more adventurous, used a more creative midfield, we would still lose but might, just might, score a couple and achieve some respect instead of the grim, negative so-called 'football' we play now.

I'd rather go down 2-5 than 0-3.

I can't see any self respecting striker willing to join us if this goes on.

My mind goes back to the sixties when Gerry Queen was a game and willing lone striker with no support.

Things haven't changed much ......

Have to agree with you on this one. I remember at Stoke a few years ago when we were 5th and Bolasie got injured thinking that could be a massive blow.

The reason I thought this was that he was our main outlet for getting into the final third, we don't work it there.

In recent years, our only real plan for getting the ball into the final third was either with Bolasie/Wilf running it there or possibly when we had RLC, who could play between the midfield and forward line.

We have never replaced Bolasie or had another player like RLC who links the midfield to the attack. That's why Wilf has been so important for us and when he has not played or played badly you can see why we struggle to score.

I am not going to stand up for Benteke, even though he for me is more of a comical figure now as opposed to a player I resent, but it's not as if he was being put through on goal 2 or 3 times a week and just not able to score. We scarcely create clear goalscoring opportunities and that has been the case for the last 5 years.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

We are in a situation where we have two good strikers if in form and fit who are on the pay roll, these two men would be very well adequate in a positive situation for our club, we are currently waiting for them both (under contract) to improve their individual situations .. midfield players are good enough against teams below the top six. Stopping teams from scoring against us will prevent relegation and that is our goal considering the squad and situation it is in at the moment.

Perhaps my memory is wrong, but last season in some games I'm sure we created 20-30 chances a game, but it wasn't until we signed Bats that we started scoring. At the end of the season when we were safe I seem to remember he was put on the bench as Roy said he thought it was fair to give the other players a chance as Batshuayi was only on loan.

This season Roy seems to lack confidence in any of our strikers and this has been reflected in our very conservative approach. I believe if Roy got in one or two attacking players he had faith in we would attack more. I think the team would feel more confident to do so too. This sounds odd as I write it as Ayew has worked tirelessly this season and got 4 goals and probably been our best player, but I still don't feel like the team play like he is the spearhead of our attack. I do think, however, that a massive problem this season had been Schlupp playing instead of Townsend. If we can afford it then I think signing a quick winger would be a big lift too, as having that option from the bench rather than sticking a central midfielder out wide is surely a much better option..

Totally agree with the original post. Quite frankly if at times you do not play in the opposition's final third, it is highly unlikely that you will score. RH (who I read is a percentages man) should understand this. A clunky, slow, defensively minded midfield that is incapable of carrying the ball 10 yards forward but is happy to pass from side to side is the cause of our many negative displays. This is a clear manifestation of the manager's approach to football.

Think this is correct, But surely Camarasa seems to fit the missing link, he doesn't seem lightweight, cant understand why he hasn't had a chance.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn