We're buying a striker - honest!
Last updated : 06 May 2004 By Site Staff
All season fans have witnessed many failed attempts to find the perfect striker to play with Jones or Ashton. Jon Walters came and went, Allan Smart came and has played no more than 30 minutes in sub appearances, Andrew Barrowman failed to impress Dario on his 2 month loan and Eamon Zayed has been sent packing back to Bray Wanderers after around none appearances. Michael Symes, onloan from Everton, still awaits d-day for him but it's fairly safe to say he'll be doomed aswell.
Ever since Hulse and Jack left for opposite divisions the Alex have been left with Ashton and Jones up front; so they scored 35 goals between them this season but that's down to their fitness. We've shown that without Ashton, especially, that we lack a forward line and should he be injured for any longer than a couple of games we could be in disaster zone.
Dario now insists that this summer is the time to find that striker to push Ashton and Jones;
“I know I’ve been saying this for a while now, but we do need extra cover and competition for Dean Ashton and Steve Jones. They have both been terrific for us this season, but we have been lucky because neither of them missed many games through injury.
“I have already been making enquires and out watching some games. I will be scouting again on Saturday and I expect it to be a busy summer. We have one or two forwards in mind who we will try for.
“The stumbling block is the wages because clubs are paying over the odds for players even in the lower leagues and into the Conference. The salary of some players amazes me, but that is why so many clubs are in a financial mess.
“We just cannot afford to go down that route and we wouldn’t want to risk the future of the club by breaking our wage structure. Once you bring someone in on more money than the others, they would quite rightly coming knocking on the door asking for the same and then you have problems.”
Names on the grapevine continue to pop up. Some say that Dario could re-birth the interest in Luke Rodgers who the Alex bid £250,000 for last year whilst others say Dario will opt for David Graham. Graham is the mightily impressive Torquay striker who has 15 goals in 28 appearances and a £100,000 release-clause to his name.
We await any news on any new striker.
