The African Footballer of the Year nominees were announced this week and City’s Dieumerci Mbokani features in the 37 strong list. And it’s raised the question once more of who should be leading the line for Norwich.
Recently, I caught up with Jack Reeve of TalkNorwichCity, who had some interesting thoughts on the rather popular poll about who should start against Newcastle.
“I was really happy to see Mbokani at the top of the pile; he hasn’t been nominated as African Player of the Year for no reason. I have been really impressed with his start for Norwich City, the thing that has stood out for me is his intelligent runs off the ball and he’s so different to what we already have.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Cameron Jerome and I think he’s a cracking player but he just hasn’t cut it in front of goal. We have already seen that Mbokani is class on the ball; his finish against Leicester was top draw. He deserves his chance, and I hope he gets it.”
Like Jack, I think it’s fair to say that a large portion of City supporters feel the same way. I’m not one to constantly reflect on past successes but it’s important to remember what Jerome can produce on his day. Take the small matter of Wembley for example.
Jerome is a grafter and always shows the right attitude on and off the pitch. It’s worth noting too that if it wasn’t for Adrian’s nose, he’d have scored against West Ham. It was a wonder save. The timing of his run was perfect and if he’d put any more power on the ball it would’ve knocked the keepers head off!
Any Norwich striker this season will have an extremely difficult job, purely because of our formation, tactics and opposition we’re up against; most of the time playing one up top, which relies massively on our wingers getting those crosses in.
Personally, right now I’m not too worried about the attacking side of the game. For the most part we look decent and threatening going forward, especially away from home. If we had not conceded from all those set pieces so far this season, we’d have had a lot more points on the board. Now, that’s not Jerome’s fault, is it?
For this debate, I am sitting on the fence due to what Jerome has achieved so far in his career with us. He played probably the largest part in our promotion last season.
But going into the Newcastle game this weekend I would start Mbokani – or ‘Big Dave’ as he’s starting to become known as – purely on the basis that he’s got a point to prove and is now at the point where the more minutes he plays he’s only going to improve. Unknown to the Premier league, I think he will cause some serious damage to a lot of defensive lines this season.
There’s also a lot of love for Kyle Lafferty at the moment, which is great to see. He’s working really hard and fully deserves his place in the squad again but unfortunately, I don’t believe he’ll be with us for much longer in order to save his international career.
I’d personally like him to stay and become a quality squad member. It certainly seems like he’s turned a corner behind the scenes, I am a massive fan so really hope he is still in Alex Neil’s plans.
While predominantly, the three options of Jerome, Mbokani and Lafferty are up in the air, let’s also not forget about the Norwich City hipster selections – Grabban & Hooper. They’ve both been cast aside by many City supporters. Is it fair? Let me know your thoughts.
On the Ball City!
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisReevo
To have 3 strikers all pushing hard for a start is a great position to be in for a team that cannot, yet, afford or attract a consistent Prem goal scorer. For me Grabban and Hooper are way behind, and will probably move either on loan or permanently in January.
I’m not sure Adrian’s nose-save can be described as a wonder save – he didn’t know anything about it!
I haven’t seen enough of Mbokani, but the others are all decent strikers who work hard for the team, however they raise question marks about whether they can score enough goals in the Premier League…
The striker position is all about the future. Laffs, Hoops & Grabben can all be moved on in Jan. Sign Andre Gray for the future and I still rate Chris Martin as a proven goal scorer. We have goals around the team but it’s the defense that needs a bit of help. Dave looks good and could become a legend.
Respect to Howard Kendall, first cup final I remember West ham v PNE. RIP
Interesting thoughts Chris.
To my thinking Hooper is the best natural finisher at the club (having not really seen enough of Mbokani yet to pass judgement) but many consider him to be “lazy”.
I have a feeling that we might just start with two up front against Newcastle, being Jerome and Mbokani.
I have a feeling we’ll start with one up front, that one being Jerome. Pretty sure Wes will play, so two up wouldn’t work. Let’s also not forget Jerome scored one of the goals of the season v Palace. All strikers have a barren run, Harry Kane a most notable recent example. CJ is the man for me.
I like Mbokani (the Big Dave thing is distasteful if you ask me. Borderline racist). Bit of a rough diamond, but you can see there’s talent there, and his unpredictability will confound defenders.
As for the other three, a lot depends on their attitude. Arguably all are good enough to be regular starters (and no doubt they think so) which is good for NCFC, but they can’t be happy. I’d love to see Lafferty get a proper chance.
I think it’s time to release the big lad Mbokani from the start with Jerome on for the last 30 mins.
Out of interest, where has the ‘big Dave’ label come from? Surely not the (slightly racist) King Pot Noodle advert of about 15 years ago?
Darren Moore was called the same at West Brom about 10 years ago (after the advert) and Sheff. Wed’s striker Nuhiu is also called the same. Surely, we can be a bit more inventive in Norwich?
Have to agree with PLP(5) about the nickname. I’m sure it was chosen in innocence and good humour but it does have a ‘history’ that if not racist, is certainly derogatory and stereotyping as it isn’t based on his real name.
Let’s drop it but pick him for today’s game.
Mbokani in today but just bring Chris Martin back in January.we need a goal scorer, we had a goal scorer, let him go now get him back, simples! Going to be tough today I fancy 1-0 away win, fingers crossed.