I think in the right system, in a team producing enough inside 50s, and enough targets, Buku, can kick 45 goals in a season.
I doubt there would have been much difference between a 25 year old Buku, and a 22 year old Marra, for goals produced in the same role.
And that does not mean, he would be playing for us right now, not ahead of Naughton and Darcy.
As others have identified, we need more pressure and ground ball versatility from our 3rd option.
He also has Croft coming through, and they seem to have committed as a forward for now.
If his manager isn't shopping him around, they are not doing their job.
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He kind of is Ben King but 10cm shorter. Mark and kick player who doesn't get involved enough at ground level and is a bit of a witches hat when the opposition defenders are rebounding the footy.
All power to him if he wants to explore a move and can get better terms elsewhere, but I just don't think what he does as a forward is in particularly high demand anymore. It's not great when Caleb Poulter is being picked ahead of you as a third tall forward - I imagine that's because of Poulter's running capacity and ability to get up to the wings.
I think Buku's best chance at playing each week is as a key back where he can intercept and use his spring a bit more. I just think he's too limited as a forward to play 200 games anywhere in the league.Leave a comment:
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If Buku was moderately ok at ground level I’d say we’d play him more. To me that’s his Achilles heel. From memory he also isn’t a great tackler but he’s not in his lonesome there. Same as many others, I’ve wanted him to succeed as I love his story and he is such a lovely bloke. If it’s better for him elsewhere I can understand him wanting to leave and would wish him well.
With another year on his contract what kind of draft pick could we realistically receive?Leave a comment:
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Hope your tongue is in cheek to some degree... Lipinski the only one of those four who would be getting a game for us in their preferred role.
Good luck to them, but Young is horrible 1v1, Caleb's decision making has deserted him, Macrae was behind four other mids so needed to move, Sweet was never getting picked ahead of English so needed to move...
Buku has strengths and I'm sure we'd like him to stay, but he will never be a consistent best 7 forward alongside Naughton and Darcy IMO. If he moves because a team without two elite key forwards is offering greater opportunities, that is the right call by him and not necessarily a fault of our list management or coaching.Leave a comment:
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I mean he kicked like 13 over 6 or 7 games from memory, I don’t doubt in the right set up he could kick 40 over a full season. Only needs 2-3 looks a game really which he’ll get.
I think we’ll be wary to give him up, he’s contracted and in reality Jamarra is gone. Hes great depth for Naughty & Darcy at the least next year. I’d probably be playing him over Poulter now but not gonna happen, but can see Hynes being more worthy of the 3rd tall role next year & potentially Croft in a couple so can see why he’d want to leave.Leave a comment:
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Perhaps Buku will join the long list of players not getting a run at it with us and doing well elsewhere. Patty Lipinski, Lewis Young, Jack, Caleb...Leave a comment:
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I was surprised Buku stayed last contract renewal. He has performed well but his lack of defensive pressure seems to be keeping him out.
I can see him moving to another club and playing every match with a 30+ goal season.
Very happy for him to stay on our list as quality depth.Leave a comment:
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I don't blame the player or his manager wanting to test the market. I don't want to lose him but a decent offer should be considered.Leave a comment:
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