So he scored in 17 different games in total. Basically every other game. I will put good money on it that none of our players get near that this year.
Let's stop pretending we won't miss Lukaku, we will and we are. All the talk that we would become a more complete team has proven to be complete rubbish. The mythical sharing round of goals hasn't happened, our hold up play hasn't improved, the movement has quite obviously got worse, with players often being caught on the ball looking for a run that never comes. He had his weaknesses but he was very good, and very important to us. For all the talk of him piling in the goals after someone else had broken the deadlock (which can actually be proved to be incorrect, and shows a basic lack of understanding of the game of football anyway, but that's a different argument) he put a number of games to bed last year when we were a goal up with 10-15 minutes left. I suspect we might find those games turning into 1-1 draws rather than 4-0 wins now.
It hasn't happened yet.
it'll need time. and hopefully it begins in the coming games that aren't against sides who finished top six last year!
The games vs Ruzomberok were late July and early August. That's pre-season, with players still working towards fitness.
Our first league game was against Stoke, a side that is renowned still for it's defensive solidity/approach.
Hajduk, likewise, were difficult games but in the home game we looked extremely dangerous and should have scored more.
The system and tactics against City were good.
The shape, system and tactics vs Chelsea and Spurs were poor and against United it was a case of a side serially lacking in any confidence not finishing off some good chances, as well as a negative set up at the start (but that's due to the low confidence you must see this!)
So give it time. More time.
We're playing with a front line that consists of a 22-year-old Spanish striker who has got to adapt to the English game, a 20-year-old who has two senior goals to his name and a 31-year-old Rooney who isn't the player he once was yet has probably been our most consistent performer so far (which says it all).
That's why the board let Koeman down in not getting another striker in, as that would have helped share the burden.
So don't say 'it hasn't happened' and write it off. You're better than that. It'll come, eventually. First and foremost it's about finding the right system and a settled side - which is down to the manager.
