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Gareth Fullerton

Paul Leeman and Barry Johnston pick out striker who could solve Linfield problem

Paul Leeman and Barry Johnston believe Glenavon striker Matthew Fitzpatrick could be the answer to Linfield's inconsistency in front of goal.

Fitzpatrick caught the eye once again after he scored twice against the Blues in Tuesday night's 3-2 defeat at Windsor Park.

Lisburn Distillery manager Johnston and former Glentoran captain Leeman believe Linfield need a "focal point" after struggling to build any momentum this season.

Read more: Healy pleased 'lucky Linfield' show character to disappoint some onlookers

Prising Fitzpatrick away from Mourneview Park won't be easy as the striker signed a new four-year deal back in April and is highly-rated by Gary Hamilton.

Discussing the 28-year-old on Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast, Johnston asked Leeman if Linfield should "take a punt" on the striker.

"100 per cent. If I was Linfield I would take a punt on him," Leeman replied.

"He holds the ball up well and brings players into the game. He works really hard, and if you saw his first goal against Linfield, he is a good finisher as well.

"Gary Hamilton won't thank us for this, but I would be surprised if some of the top teams aren't looking at him.

"He has really impressed me any time I have seen him, and he is in form at the minute."

Linfield have scored 17 league goals this season but drew blanks in recent big games against Glentoran and Coleraine.

Former Cliftonville midfielder Johnston believes David Healy's side is lacking an 'out-and-out goalscorer'.

He said: "They'e always had an Andy Waterworth or a Glenn Ferguson who will be top scorer in the league every year. Peter Thompson is another example.

"They haven't had that for a couple of years. They have been sharing the goals, but they need that focal point they can rely on every single week for a goal or two.

"Unfortunately they don't have it.

Glenavon’s Mathew Fitzpatrick celebrates scoring against Linfield (INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)

"Glentoran have Jay Donnelly who will get 20 a season, Conor McMenamin will score 15-plus. . Larne have Lee Bonis and Paul O'Neill.

"But where are Linfield getting 20 from? They rely on Joel Cooper who is a class player, and Jordan Stewart is injured. They depend a lot more on a spread of goals throughout the team."

The Blues' top scorer in the Premiership this season is Eetu Vertainen with four goals.

The Finnish striker was on the scoresheet on Tuesday night with an 87th-minute winner against Glenavon.

Summer signing Robbie McDaid has struggled to hit the ground running since his high-profile move from Glentoran, scoring just two goals in nine league appearances.

Leeman believes the Blues' problem is they haven't been as defensively strong this season, compared to last year when they conceded just 24 goals in 38 Premiership games.

"It was probably a problem for them last season as well. Their team as a defensive set-up was so solid last season that they were able to win a lot of games," Leeman said.

"I would love to see the stats and see how many games they won 1-0.

"This season they are not as solid, and they don't have that out-and-out scorer who will get them goals when needed.

"Robbie McDaid is a good player. He is working hard for them and it probably hasn't worked as quickly as he liked.

"Ethan Devine, last season's super-sub, could he be the focal point this season? The quality is there, they just need to find the consistency."

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