Up front: Friend, Occean or Gerba?

**Daniel** · 02-22-2008, 04:39 PM

WCQ is soon upon us and it seems like we'll continue with the 4-5-1 experiment, or at the very least with only one taregt forward. We've got too much talent in midfield (if Radz, Dero, JDG and Hutch - plus one defensive mid - are all healthy) to play with two of the designated "target" forwards.

So, which one do we go with?

- Friend: has shown great qualities as a deep pivot, probably the best player in the air (being 6'4 helps) and at holding up the ball. However, He has only ever scored 1 goal with the senior NT. Prolific at his club (German 2nd-tier).
Goals/caps for Canada: 1/14

- Gerba: a goal scorer, pure and simple. When replacing Friend up front, he has brought to the team something that he has done consistently when given playing time: score goals. He has only seen limited club play in the past two seasons and is playing in probably the lowest level of the three (German 3rd-tier).
G/C for Canada: 5/15

- Occean: probably our most regular goal scorer at club level (at around 0.4 - 0.5 goals per game in the past 4 years, but with only two goals for Canada. Has not featured too prominently with the national team in the past two years.
G/C for Canada: 2/15

- Charles Gbeke: As an Impact fan, let me throw him in here for fun. An absolute beast, physically, unbeatable in the air, with a knack for clutch goals (and missing clear chances).
G/C for Canada 0/1

**Scottie** · 02-22-2008, 04:43 PM

Based on the last year I'm an advocate for Gerba over Friend, because Gerba has been productive for us whereas Friend has done SFA. If Friend turns that around and starts producing though I will lay off of him.

I'd like to see more of Occean, just to see what he can do for us as we haven't seen much of him at all.

**youllneverwalkalone** · 02-22-2008, 05:12 PM

We're going to need all three and maybe Gbeke too. Friend right now is the best choice because the team has been at their best in recent memory when they play the ball into him. Gerba needs to be on the bench cause if we go down a goal we need somebody with touch. Occean has to be there because it's damn sure one of those two guys won't be available at some point. I think Hume also needs to be in the mix because he's a quality player who can score from a lot more areas on the pitch than any of those three. Just cause he's small doesn't mean he can't hold the ball up. And he works well with Hutch. These were the guys that led us back against the US -the last good (and bad) memory I have of Canadian football.

**Lomonty** · 02-22-2008, 05:15 PM

Friend with Radz in the hole behind him, but you gotta go the hot hand.

**jonovision** · 02-22-2008, 05:24 PM

The thing I like about Friend, having watched a few Moenchengladbach matches this season online, is how well we maintains or wins possession on balls forward and then returns the ball to his wingers or midfielders to continue the attack. He is actually a fairly consistent passer, and his strong with the ball at his feet, besides being a beast in the air. The one danger is if this ability of his causes his Canada teammates to repeatedly thump balls forward, bypassing the creative players in midfield.

I have a tough time deciding between Gerba and Occean as my #2, but both need to be involved. If we go with the 4-5-1, the lone forward does a lot of work, and will need support from the bench.

**Martyr** · 02-22-2008, 05:27 PM

All three can do a job - which is great for us. Friend tends to score 'ugly'. That is the goals I've seen on-line seem to benefit from deflections and poor or unlucky goalkeeping. He hasn't really hit the top corner from distance or passed the ball inside the far post. Occean's is improving a lot with Lillestrom. His goals seem to be more clinical and varied. He can score from inside the six and outside the 18. I know they all count in the end but invariably you'll come up against a top team that doesn't give away goals and you'll need that clinical finish.

A lot will also come down to how well each of them can hold up the ball and set-up our midfielders (particularly DeRo). Perhaps Friend has the edge there. Gerba was great at the Gold Cup but I think given his lack of first team football lately at club level - he will be on the bench. I wouldn't count Hume out either. He doesn't have the size but he certainly has a knack for scoring.

Personally, I would really like to see Friend and Occean together up front. That would scare the hell out of most CONCACAF opposition.

**youllneverwalkalone** · 02-22-2008, 05:33 PM

quote:Originally posted by jonovision

The one danger is if this ability of his causes his Canada teammates to repeatedly thump balls forward, bypassing the creative players in midfield.

I really don't think it's a problem to play the ball long to the target man as long as is not the defenders who are doing it. Nash did a brilliant job of finding Friend in the Gold Cup, and much of the creativity you mention occurred in the attacking third when Friend had played those balls off to DeRo, Hutch, and DeGuzman.

If I've noticed any problem with Mitchell's attack thus far, evident against South Africa, is that we were relying on DeGuzman, Hutch and DeRo to bring the ball through the midfield. Our defenders are not overly talented and it really stretches out our midfield and makes us seriously vulnerable on the counter. One crisp long pass to Friend from Hutch or De Guzman (or Bernier, maybe Imhof) and we've advanced in a much more efficient manner.