I’ve been told you can make stats say whatever you want them to, so in fairness I’ve tried to pick a range that demonstrates each player as a possible number nine. Goals are an obvious one, so I’ve got the goals to games ratio here. Shooting on target helps as well, so I’ll take that into account.
However, the number nine we bring in must also be able to run with the ball if we need an out, lay it off to wide players to start quick attacks and link up with whoever is playing the ten. That give us pass accuracy and dribbles per games. Finally, touches in the box is a stats Danny really likes and with good reason: if you get on the ball in the box your chances of scoring go up.
Starting with goals ratio and surprisingly it’s Surridge who wins out. In domestic competition for Oldham, he averaged 0.71 goals per game, whereas Walker managed 0.51. It’s worth taking into account the higher number of games played by Walker, but could Surridge have kept up that impressive run? Having ‘only’ scored eight in the league the doubters would be out in force, but he had a very good strike rate before he returned to Bournemouth, in a side not doing particularly well either.
He also got more shots on target as well. The difference was marginal, 47.3% against 43.5%, but I found it surprising that he had a better rate of accuracy than Walker, again in a side not doing as well. For those who might want to know, Matt Green had 47.4% on target during the 2017/18 season.
Walker seems to be a better passer of the ball, his accuracy stats there are better by a decent margin. Certainly, no one player is ever going to fit the bill perfectly and Surridge’s passing is an area he could perhaps work on. he carried the ball much more often than Walker, again something of a surprise. I had Walker down as a player who liked to run at defenders and get shots away, but in fact it is Surridge who offers the more potent threat I associated with the likes of Matt Green, who managed 3.66 in our EFL Trophy winning season.
Finally, touches in the box. The higher this number, in my opinion, the more likely we are to score goals. it doesn’t have to be that player, but if you’re making moves into the box then the chance of a goal from anyone goes up. Both players were more or less on a par, getting four touches per game.
There isn’t a lot to separate the two, but I’m tending to feel Surridge would be a better capture if the chance arose. There is something I like about him, not only from his stats but from the action I’ve seen him in as well. So, to answer the question in a long-winded way, I’d love to see us sign Sam Surridge this summer, if it was remotely possible.
John Akinde is marmite among the supporters where I sit, for me hes a big strong lad who can hold and shield a ball well but for me he cant shoot and cant head a ball, without those attributes you are not a true number nine.After watching the match on saturday I think he will struggle for goals in league one hence a new number 9 will be brought in.
Let’s get our facts straight. The current incumbent of the number nine shirt is Rhead. His record over the past two seasons is pathetic. The number nine is traditionally the most valuable player in the squad and is looked to for hitting the back of the net with regular frequency. This bloke simply does not deliver. Akinde should wear the number nine and Rhead should disappear. I grew up watching Percy Freeman, a proper number nine who “walked on water”. In comparison, Rhead looks as though he is trudging through treacle whilst wearing concrete boots. He was decent at the lower level, but has long since passed his sell-by date. We are about to embark upon a League One campaign, for goodness sake. Let’s get someone in who will provide a decent return for what will, no doubt, be an eye-watering salary for our little club.
You’re not a Rhead fan mate, are you?
Very Interesting Gary as usual.
ps.i cant be bothered to argue with the paperclip??
Paper lip has clearly got his wires crossed. He must be twisted if he doesn’t see the massive contribution Rheady has made to the Imps cause over the last three seasons. Sounds to me that he should’ve gone to Specsavers!!!!!
I agree,not in the same class as Big Perce but a class above any other forward on the books.
I like Walker but Surridge is one of those players that’s a nightmare to play against.
Chase’s everything, doesn’t give a defender a second to think and when a chance does come his way it’s often on target and forcing a save from the keeper.
He’d be a quality signing that offers enough to really pressure Akindes place.
Both , Surridge and Walker are very interesting options.
If we can bring a striker who can score goals, not only from penalties, that would make a massive difference to where we might finish next season..
My choice would be Surridge as well and has been mentioned we have a good relationship with Bournemouth after the loaning of Alsop here in 2018. I believe Walker is playing regularly for Forest and is impressing the new manager.