That's a fair analysis, it may just be coincidence. I know that lot across the park have seen a similar loss of strikers when you consider Owen and Fowler in the same time frame. I think the position of the goalpoaching number 9 has really died out due to sides not having 2 forwards. When you think of Fowler, Owen, Jeffers there were all your archetypal number 9 but I do wonder what opportunities they would have gotten playing as a lone striker these days?
I do think as well that there is something uncoachable about being a great number 9. it comes from special awareness and appreciation of subtle movements that really come from playing lots of football. Jeffers and Fowler had this to a tea. With less football played, more structure I do wonder if it's being coached out of kids? I also wonder if football is played in the same way in a working class city like Liverpool as it was say 20 years ago?
When you watch an age group the first thing I look for is who is playing up on themselves. Forget what they do on the pitch, this is the clearest indication of what coaches who work with them every day think of them. You then start looking at performances and ask "who has the potential to make it". Outside of Rooney and Barkley that's all I've ever said of any player really. Some had potential to make it with the right breaks. Some you can see won't, some you can't discard.
We do seem to have a glut of central midfield players who fit into that category. Ledson, Walsh, Banningame, Williams all look very good to me. I think we have made lots of hard working, reliable foitballers with good technique.
As for the forwards. I've not seen Sambou. I like Broadhead but the question has to be why has he not been moved up. Similar question with Brewster. Evans has really talent but I've always seen him as more of a 10. I think he has the most potential of all of them as he will have the physique to play up front.
