That is two games that we have played without Sakho since he has been injured, and on both occasions we have not been able to pick up three points.
Do we rely too heavily on Sakho and are our alternative choices not good enough?
Diafra Sakho has had a different season compared to last, but both equally as successful. This year Sakho has been working 10 times harder on the pitch and is doing more work for the team, but in return is scoring less goals.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as we have the likes of Lanzini who’s scoring and Payet (although now injured) who can step up to the mark and provide the team with goals.
We look completely different with Sakho up top compared to the likes of Carroll as I feel they are two different players.
Sakho hounds defenses and presses them excellently, not allowing them time on the ball, which in return gives our defence an easier task and it is easier to regain possession we do not have.
Andy Carroll, as we have seen from the previous two games, isn’t as physically capable as Diafra is to press the ball for that long in a match and I feel our play alternates because of this.
I am still very happy with the choices we have up front, don’t get me wrong, with the likes of Carroll, Valencia and Zarate , but I am not convinced that any can do as well as Sakho can in that lone striker role.
I feel like we have missed Diafra massively these past couple of games and I am hoping that he will be fit to face Spurs this coming Sunday, especially with star man Dimitri Payet out for the next three months.
Personally, I do not think that we need to sign another striker in January unless Sakho gets a long term injury. However, if Sakho is fit at the time then I do not see any reason as to why we would need another striker as our alternate choices currently can provide the team with goals, maybe not do as much for the team but can still slot them home.
If Diafra was to get a long term injury, which hopefully he doesn’t, I would look to bring someone in who has similar qualities and will work just as hard for the team.
A name that springs to mind, who has been flying around twitter recently is highly praised Doumbia, currently on loan at CSKA Moscow. He could get recalled early by Roma if we show interest and pay the right amount, but I think he would be a great fit and definitely scores goals.
Whether he would find it difficult coming to the Premier League half way through the season is another question for another day but he would be my signing if Sakho were to be ruled out at some point.
However, currently I am happy with our squad and we have strength in depth which is impacting on individual performances all across the team. We remain hopeful that Sakho will be fit for Sunday’s game against Spurs and it is one all the fans are looking forward to.
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