[Danny]

I feel like asking that question is almost a cliche now. Every year we wait for Pato to emerge from the shadows and realise that potential, and every year he lets us down - either via injuries or poor form.

Now while he's not an old man at 22, he's not the 18 year old we signed either - it is time this lad finally began to show his class regularly because we sure as heck don't appear to be signing a marquee striker to replace Ibrahimovic.

Is this guy going to be a perennial underachiever for us, or are there folks who believe he will finally become what his destiny suggests?

Admittedly there's the Babs baggage as well, which probably means we're 'stuck with him' anyway, but there's no denying on his day he is a scintillating striker. It's just a pity he's as fragile as glass in both form and body.

[Danny]

I wouldn't call Prince a BTB mid either tbh - I disagree he covers that much ground.

He's not a trequartista, because he doesn't have the vision for the pass or indeed dribbling skill. But he does a brilliant job of supporting attacks and linkup play at that end of the field. And scores plenty goals.

Lampard is a good comparison actually.

[CHU-LIP]

I wouldn't call Prince a BTB mid either tbh - I disagree he covers that much ground.

He's not a trequartista, because he doesn't have the vision for the pass or indeed dribbling skill. But he does a brilliant job of supporting attacks and linkup play at that end of the field. And scores plenty goals.

Exactly like that. Not a trequartiste, neither a box-to-box, but one who supports attack. We had a very dynamic attacking trio existing of Ibrahimovic, Cassano/Robinho and Boateng. On paper Boateng is put as AM, but meh, it was more like three forwards being everywhere. When put deeper (for box-to-box role) Boateng is not one of the three most advanced players which hurts his preformance (way more defensive duties - not good), also when he was in great form not only he failed in deeper midfield (for some reason put there during a match), but also our attack was nowhere close to what it was with Boateng. So why should we even want to move Boateng to a real midfield role?

[X-Offender]

Exactly like that. Not a trequartiste, neither a box-to-box, but one who supports attack. We had a very dynamic attacking trio existing of Ibrahimovic, Cassano/Robinho and Boateng. On paper Boateng is put as AM, but meh, it was more like three forwards being everywhere. When put deeper (for box-to-box role) Boateng is not one of the three most advanced players which hurts his preformance (way more defensive duties - not good), also when he was in great form not only he failed in deeper midfield (for some reason put there during a match), but also our attack was nowhere close to what it was with Boateng. So why should we even want to move Boateng to a real midfield role?

Whilst I agree that Boateng has been rather poor when played as CM, I also say that most of his success as AM came from Ibra's presence. The guy (Ibra) played as striker, movement forward and playmaker for us, all at the same time, during his stay, and it was all thanks to him that the various Boateng, Nocerino and Robinho could thrive. Without him around any longer, I seriously question if Prince can do what he's done as AM in the past two seasons. It's a quite pickle, really. Maybe we should just sell him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)