Roberto Martinez hopes that the arrival of Romelu Lukaku can spring his other strikers into life
Martinez, however, says the new dimension offered by the Belgian, on loan from Chelsea, will impact on the goal threat across the side.
“Clearly in the first few games we have not scored enough goals, but we have been having opportunities and I like the way we have been controlling games,” said Martinez.
“Now the work is to have enough goals in the side. I don’t think we can rely on one person, to rely on one player to score you 25 goals. Those players don’t exist, or if they exist they will move on after 10 months because that is the market forces.
“That is where the work is. We need to be able to score goals from all over the park and share the responsibility. And rely on our pattern of play to score goals, not on individuals or deadball situations.
“I think it’s very unfair to criticise Nikica for his goalscoring record in the league this season because I don’t think he’s had enough open opportunities to be judged on that.
“I think the lack of goals has been more of a team situation rather than one individual. Niki like any other player needs competition and needs challenging.
“I expect a real fighter coming back and showing his best level this season.”
Lukaku was a surprise signing on deadline, not least to Martinez who only established his availability in the final few hours.
“You look at Chelsea and the options that they have, and the signings that they made, maybe that opened an opportunity for Romelu to go out and play,” he said.
“He’s still developing as a footballer. Sometimes as a club you need to make a decision if the right role at your club is the right one for an individual. And Romelu now needs to play minutes.
“I know that Chelsea rate Romelu very highly and they feel that he is going to be a big part of Chelsea’s future. We are delighted that we can work with Romelu but I can understand the reason they allowed him to go on loan.
“What’s clear now is that we have three outstanding number nines. My ideal scenario is that I can’t leave any of those out. Playing with the three of them on the pitch would be fantastic.
“That’s what we want at the football club. That competitive edge in the team. I do feel that all three are so different in what they can bring on the pitch.
“Romelu is powerful and strong. He is good in certain spaces and is an outstanding option with counter attack football. But he’s a clinical finisher with his left and right foot.
“Kone is a more of a build-up player. His back to play is his real strength. He brings players into play and can keep the team really high up the pitch and is an instinctive finisher.
“Jelvavic is more of a box player, running in behind centre-halves with those three or four yard runs and opening spaces. He’s clinical and has as good a first-time finish as you’re going to see in European football.”