Grabban v. Jerome

S

Salopian

New Member
Hooper is in the process of almost cementing his place in the team every week, and not just because he scores goals.

The question is really about the number 2 striker, if we play two (- Neil seems to like the 4-3-2-1 formation)

We have seen the somewhat mercurial Jerome score his goals in clumps, and be somewhat unseen in between clumps. He is an out and out striker, strong and quick.

Grabban, who was singled out for praise by the manager after the Blackpool game, is quick and strong, but has now been scoreless for many games and misses good chances regularly. On his side it could be added however that his running and unwillingness to stop running, is an asset. His main defect seems to be his lack of technique, both in initial control and in attempting to score.

So which is the more useful?

The decision must consider the new presence of Andreu, who is deceptively quick, has good control and scores goals close in after arriving late and therefore difficult to mark. Much depends, of course, on how well he settles at CR.

I personally would see a successful Andreu as more of a threat to Wes, perhaps not quite matching the Irishman in passes, but able to move, shoot and pass in the penalty area. He could well play the number 10 role. Andreu will also be a challenge to Howson.

Grabban v. Jerome? I would plump for the latter. Especially if Dorrans arrives, we shall have plenty of creativity to support the strikers, and what we shall need are consistent and prolific strikers, and that means Hooper and Jerome, I think.
 
Din

Din

Well-Known Member
Jerome.

Grabban was excellent on Saturday, but plain and simply, Jerome is the better striker, hence the reason why he's one of the highest scorers in the league. 
 
G

GJP

Well-Known Member
Jerome = more goals

Grabban = more all round play
 
Dandy Mountfarto

Dandy Mountfarto

New Member
I'd put Jerome in the side ahead of Hooper too tbh, when has there been a successful Norwich side without a big target man up top? Certainly not since I've been a supporter.
 
eatonparkboy

eatonparkboy

New Member
If I am reading AN's mind, then it would be Jerome. I am sure he is happy to have plenty of midfield players supporting and even going past the front man. And that means holding it up and passing sometimes when two men are marking. I think Jerome is far better equipped. And of course, he is our leading scorer.

By all accounts Grabban did everything but score yesterday but he remains as on only as many as Bradley Johnson. What we probably need is the other central midfield player, probably Howson, to wade in with a few as well.
 
morty

morty

Moderator
Staff member
If I am reading AN's mind, then it would be Jerome. I am sure he is happy to have plenty of midfield players supporting and even going past the front man. And that means holding it up and passing sometimes when two men are marking. I think Jerome is far better equipped. And of course, he is our leading scorer.

By all accounts Grabban did everything but score yesterday but he remains as on only as many as Bradley Johnson. What we probably need is the other central midfield player, probably Howson, to wade in with a few as well.
Grabban was superb yesterday.
 
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Suffolk Canary

Suffolk Canary

New Member
Jerome = more goals

Grabban = more all round play
Agree completely.   Grabban does a lot more of the 'dirty work' if you like.  He chases down defenders, pressing them, chasing lost causes with Hooper getting the glory.  They often say the great strikers always has a partner who puts the shift in to create chances for them. 
 
eatonparkboy

eatonparkboy

New Member
Grabban was superb yesterday.
To be fair to some who have turned on him, I think they may have feared another RVW when he dried up, particularly with Callum Wilson banging them in.

It is nice to have someone at the top of the scoring charts but as I said, I think it is time for some of the others to weigh in with a goal or two. 
 
Beauseant

Beauseant

Well-Known Member
Very impressed by Grabban's workrate yesterday, but he's not a natural finisher, as the open goal proved. A poacher like Hooper would have thrown everything at the ball rather than trying to guide it. Its still a goal whether it goes in off your instep or your right bollock. However, he's quick and mobile and can do a job.

I think we'll see a lot of away games where we play one up front which could mean Andreu behind Jerome or Grabban, with Hooper starting most home games. I'd be surprised if Jerome doesn't start on Tuesday.
 
G

GJP

Well-Known Member
Better players than Grabban have missed that chance.
 
Surgeryman

Surgeryman

New Member
I'm not a Grabban fan at all. Yes he works hard but first touch, decision making and finishing is poor IMO opinion. If Jerome is fit and our top scorer he should play. Just my opinion as I say. Would have preferred Callum Wilson over Grabban any day.

Both Jerome or Grabban are not good enough for the Prem if we go up. If they were the wouldnt be at Norwich now.

Jerome is decent at this level and should start if fit. So should Tettey instead of Johnson, but again just my opinion.
 
G

GJP

Well-Known Member
I'm not a Grabban fan at all. Yes he works hard but first touch, decision making and finishing is poor IMO opinion. 
He works hard, he's got a good touch and he makes good decisions.

But he's not a great finisher.
 
Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever

New Member
I think it's good that we have three very different strikers, as none of them is a 'complete' striker as such. Hooper is the most clinical finisher, as his goals against Blackpool demonstrated, but he doesn't look comfortable in the lone striker role. Jerome is much more the traditional CF with height, power and pace and the ability to score from a range of different shots, including headers. Grabban is more the counter-attacking striker, using his pace to run at defences and harry opposing defenders, but his finishing lets him down.
 
The Great Mass Debater

The Great Mass Debater

New Member
Cant help wondering who'd win in a fight...
 
Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever

New Member
Both Jerome and Hooper look like they might be comfortable in a bare-knuckle fight, but Grabban would probably use his pace to good effect!  ;)
 
Safri15

Safri15

New Member
Personally I'm not really a fan of either of them. I know I should be concentrating on the division we are in, but if we were to win promotion I don't think either will be good enough. Hooper however, with the right system, I think would score goals in any division.

I was quite open about how bad of a signing I thought Jerome was and he has definitely made me eat my words there. Still think both Grabban and Jerome need to many chances to score however.

Credit where it is due, Grabban played really well on Saturday. He did still manage to miss a sitter though. If we needed that goal for the win then I don't think too many people would be praising him quite as much as they are. I know there is more to strikers than just scoring goals, but that is their number 1 job, and he simply doesn't deliver in that area.

So, for all that drivel, Jerome for me out of the 2. But if we were to play 1 up top with supporting midfielders, it would have to be Hoops.
 
K

Killiecanary

New Member
Sorry Safri - just can't agree with you on this one. Hooper really can't play up front on his own - regardless of which midfield we pick. He's an auxiliary striker, not one to lead the line.

agree with the comment above that we have actually three very interchangeable strikers who can be utilised according to the situation. And all three are good enough for our current level. While I don't disagree that probably none are premier league class (maybe Hoops?) we need to stop deluding ourselves that we are in that class at the moment. Those who do are guilty of putting cart before horse in my opinion!

What really pleases me is that all three are chipping in with goals - Grabban and cam tonight...add to that the fact that Jonno is scoring regularly and Nathan and Howson have rediscovered the route to goal we look a real threat,

Now...about that defence...
 
Surgeryman

Surgeryman

New Member
He works hard, he's got a good touch and he makes good decisions.

But he's not a great finisher.
You see a different game to me but respect you opinion. We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
 
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G

GJP

Well-Known Member
Fair enough.

But my gut feeling is that Alex Neil sees that Grabban gives you more quality on the ball than Jerome does.
 

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