Sounds a bit daft to say but I'm not sure the striker we sign needs to come with assurances of high numbers of goals. We have goal scorers all over the pitch now but what we don't have is a focal point. We haven't always needed that but sometimes our performances cry out for it. I don't care if it's not Stockton, I understand the sceptical view on him completely but I'd like someone in that mould.
Is Stockton even a good focal point?
Admittedly, I've only ever seen him play against us, but my understanding was that he was a poacher and not much else. Great if you get him the ball in front of goal, but otherwise limited in his contribution. People can correct me if I'm wrong, but if that's true - I'm not sure he's the player we necessarily need when we already have Matty T. Not sure I can see them working together, or offering anything different from each other; you would just have one of them on the bench and switch them. Which doesn't seem to me like the optimum use of $500k.
I agree with your first sentence, in that what we really could do with is a Ryan Taylor-type. Physical presence who can act as that focal point for the attack, hold the ball up and bring our outstanding wingers into the game, and if needs be play alongside Taylor (Baldock can obviously do this too, if he ever gets fit again). If we're going young/loan, then this Kion Etete fellow from Tottenham sounds like he might fit the bill.
Failing that, I'd like an absolute speed merchant to bring on and scare opposition defenses.