Wood Must Start V Liverpool

[warksclaret]

Vydra has give 100% since the season started, and today Dyche showed huge loyalty once again in starting him (as he did with Pieters)

I think Vydra has probably had around 6 very good chances in his recent 5 starts. Personally if he starts the next 4 games I still dont see him scoring. The way he puts his hands into his hair proves to me he knows he should be scoring. I am afraid time to bring back Wood, alongside the in form Rodriguez and give Liverpool something to worry about. In any cast Vydra understandably looks knackered

[conyoviejo]

With nothing at stake,I'd keep Vydra in to keep boosting his confidence. Match time will do him good especially against a team who nobody will give us a chance against..

[Stalbansclaret]

Wood probably can't manage 90 minutes yet anyway so I'd stick with a Vydra/Wood split.

[tim_noone]

Yes... On this occasion it's got to be wood.

[martin_p]

Coming off the back of winning our last two away games we make as little change as possible.

[Bosscat]

Vydra starts for me ... nothing changes ...

Never change a winning formula unless forced by injury or suspension.

[Pimlico_Claret]

Wood starts, Vydra second half if no impact.

[dpinsussex]

Wood vs VvD better match up than Vydra IMO

[Iloveyoubrady]

Wood looked class today in his short performance. Won everything, linking our clearances into attacks. He even got in behind and beat a couple of men before firing a great effort which their keeper just about saved.

Vydra has been good for us and we don’t find his runs in behind enough, but Wood is our most complete striker and with Rodriguez, who offers the ability on the ball, we have a proper partnership.

[Vegas Claret]

Vydra ran himself into the ground, made some very intelligent runs but then snatched at his chances, he's above Barnes in the pecking order for me now

[KateR]

personally disagree, Wood need more practice and game time, not ready to start in my opinion and JRod with Vydra a better option for me, in fact I like McNeil in the middle behind Vydra as a starting option plus JGB out wide but he also needs game time.

[warksclaret]

I dont think playing v Van Dyke is a confidence building move for Vydra. Wood will give Liverpool problems as he has the body strength as he proved tonight when he went down the channel then cut in with a great drive, Vydra would have been forced out of play

[box_of_frogs]

I’ll file this thread under “this is why the OP isn’t a real football manager”.

[NewClaret]

No need to change a winning formula.

Cud’s has worked his backside off. Can’t ask any more. He starts, for me. Goals will come.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Vydra should have scored more than he has missed recently. BUT he stretches the play, creates space and gets into positions. He should start one more game I think.

[CrosspoolClarets]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Vydra forces them to play it on the deck, and we look better for it. Our results do too (not scoring as many as I would like, but...)

The easiest decision of the season. Mind you, two and a half days rest.

[Longsidelenny1882]

Me thinks it will be very tough against the Micky’s utc

[scouseclaret]

Vydra’s body language is appalling. His head seems to go down every time he misses a chance or the ball doesn’t run for him. I wonder if that’s one of the reasons SD doesn’t seem to like him.

[HunterST_BFC]

Vydra’s body language is appalling. His head seems to go down every time he misses a chance or the ball doesn’t run for him. I wonder if that’s one of the reasons SD doesn’t seem to like him.

Rubbish. Tosh.

The guy goes hard for the team every time.
Clearly liked also by the team.

[Vegas Claret]

Vydra’s body language is appalling. His head seems to go down every time he misses a chance or the ball doesn’t run for him. I wonder if that’s one of the reasons SD doesn’t seem to like him.

runs himself into the ground, clearly puts alot (too much) pressure on himself - probably desperate to make an impact whilst he has a run in the team. I for one think he been been excellent, his runs off the ball, like the one today in the first half when he snatched at the shot, have been superb and I genuinely don't see another of our strikers making these runs. Above Barnes now for me

[Quickenthetempo]

Wood is Dyche's favourite striker, of that I have no doubt.
But Vydra makes the team play better. Good runs and lay off. Footballers brain.
He needs to take his chances if he wants to keep the shirt though.

[Taffy on the wing]

Wood vs VvD better match up than Vydra IMO

I agree. Wood looked Hungry and strong today, Vydra looked really anxious & was snatching at shots. I'd go with Wood and Rodriguez & bring on Vydra as an impact sub.
Depends who's most knackered i suppose.

[claretandy]

Same again, Vydra to start, wood on at 55 min mark.

[houseboy]

With nothing at stake,I'd keep Vydra in to keep boosting his confidence. Match time will do him good especially against a team who nobody will give us a chance against..

Agree totally.

[Hibsclaret]

Wood is our best striker...no doubt about that tbh

[Colburn_Claret]

Matty needs one to go in off his arse, just to break the monkey. His movement is fine, he finds the space, but the ball just won't go in.
Wood looked far better than on Sunday, not surprisingly, but i don't think we should give him 90 mins yet, so if you have to split them I'd let Vydra start. Fewer changes helps the momentum.

[Gordaleman]

Van Dyke would have Wood for breakfast. (Pardon the pun.) Wood is far too slow and ponderous to have a chance against someone with his class. Vydra on the other hand is fast and nippy and could just surprise him. So Vydra for me, at least until the 60 minute mark.

[Murger]

If the results are coming, no need to change owt. Same again.

[IanMcL]

Vydra has got into positions, which Wood cannot.
Wood vice versa.

Both can play.

[FactualFrank]

Wood starts, Vydra second half if no impact.

I'd do this but the other away around.

Wood comes on in the second half.

[Sleeping Cat]

Vydra continues for me. Been really impressed with his overall display recently. Just needs to get some confidence and put those chances away. Wood impact sub.

[Row Z]

personally disagree, Wood need more practice and game time, not ready to start in my opinion and JRod with Vydra a better option for me, in fact I like McNeil in the middle behind Vydra as a starting option plus JGB out wide but he also needs game time.

If I'm reading that correctly your preferred option is to drop Jay who has scored winning goals in two recent victories and is arguably our most complete striker?

I noted Vydra snatched at a few chances last night, but he's still getting into those positions and he prevents our defenders hitting aimless long balls which greatly improves our play.

[redwasp]

Gordaleman has it spot on. That's more or less exactly what I was going to post. Wood wouldn't get a smell against VvD.

[tiger76]

Am i reading this thread correctly people think we should drop Jay, why would we drop our most in-form striker.

Vydra's doing everything right apart from bursting the back of the net, sadly the longer his goal drought continues the more it'll weigh on him.

Such a shame that chip against Watford didn't go in. this is what happens when your luck's out, Jay last night got the rub of the green, his header could have easily hit the underside of the bar and bounced out, instead it bounced the right side of the line.

TBH it doesn't matter who we play against liverpool as we're not likely to see much of the ball anyway.

Wood did look sharper last night, and that's encouraging, as he and Jay are our 2 most natural finishers.

[KateR]

If I'm reading that correctly your preferred option is to drop Jay who has scored winning goals in two recent victories and is arguably our most complete striker?

I noted Vydra snatched at a few chances last night, but he's still getting into those positions and he prevents our defenders hitting aimless long balls which greatly improves our play.

Yes it is, I understand what you are saying but I feel it is a better option, especially against Liverpool, I don't think Wood or JRod will get anything from Liverpool's defense and I feel setting up differently from the standard 4 - 4 - 2 will provide the best option, it can be changed at halftime or whenever. I don't think for one minute it will happen and it's just an opinion.

[ClaretTony]

Vydra has missed some chances but I think he's been excellent in these games. One of the problems with him previously was his lack of work rate, it's been phenomenal in the recent games. Really impressed with him and it is allowing us not to rush with Wood.

[Vino blanco]

No reason to change things at the moment, I am quite happy to see Wood gradually being brought back. I would also love to see JBG and Brady get some game time.

[Row Z]

Vydra has missed some chances but I think he's been excellent in these games. One of the problems with him previously was his lack of work rate, it's been phenomenal in the recent games. Really impressed with him and it is allowing us not to rush with Wood.

Very much agree and Dyche has commented publicly on his willingness to work for the team. Thought he looked very leggy against West ham so right decision to pull him but he's done himself no harm since being given his opportunity. Was unlucky with a chance against Watford that hit the post but snatched at a few last night.

[ClaretTony]

Very much agree and Dyche has commented publicly on his willingness to work for the team. Thought he looked very leggy against West ham so right decision to pull him but he's done himself no harm since being given his opportunity. Was unlucky with a chance against Watford that hit the post but snatched at a few last night.

He does snatch, but that's a lack of confidence I think. When he scored v Bournemouth he probably should have had a hat trick. But I've been hugely impressed with him, none more so than when he played up top on his own at Palace.

[ewanrob]

We are seeing a very good team player in Vydra, never thought I'd say that. But he has done so well, and looks very happy...long may it last.

[Gordaleman]

No reason to change things at the moment, I am quite happy to see Wood gradually being brought back. I would also love to see JBG and Brady get some game time.

I'd love to see JBG back, but not Brady please. He should have been let go with Lennon and Hart. All he ever does is gift the ball to the opposition by trying to be cleverer than he is.

[BenWickes]

Just wondering if a 4-1-3-1-1 formation with Pieters playing in front of the defence would work. Vydra up front with his movement. Westy, Brownhill and Rodriguez in midfield. McNeil to play a similar role as at Palace. Liverpool will have earmarked him but probably won't be expecting us to give him a freer role. Could pull their defence about a bit more. Maybe give Wood a run out if needed or it's not working after 55/60 minutes. It's kind of a free hit game this one. Bit more mobility and movement in midfield and theoretically a bit more protection defensively.

[Rileybobs]

Vydra has played well of late. Makes some clever runs and links the play pretty well. The problem comes when the opposition presses us high and we’re under sustained pressure. Vydra doesn’t offer us any relief as his hold up play isn’t great and he’s pushed off the ball too easily.

That said, in a game we’ll likely lose I can see Dyche sticking with the same team and using the likely defeat as an opportunity to bring Wood and perhaps JBG into the starting eleven against Wolves.

[Sozturf7]

Vydra to start, our manager will rightly not change his starting line up. Wood to get some more game time though.

[KateR]

lot's of good thoughts and opinions, makes you think more of the tactics and the how to counter. Liverpool will press high and therefore (hopefully) might be some space to run/play into, I like Wood but don't think he is the player for this, so Vydra is the one I would say is a must start for this game.

As I mentioned, I really like the way we played at Palace, particularly first half and McNeil behind Vydra in a number 10 role, would be something I would like to see tried. I don't for a minute think it will be, so Vydra with JRod, plus McNeil and Brownhill looking to add some "trickery" to the attack in the preferred 4 - 4 - 2.

Again we saw Liverpool press really high and they knew Brighton would try to play out from the back, so it's an area to be really aware of, or we will be 2 down in no time. Look to bring Wood on later, fresh legs and probably go to our famous long ball way of playing if we are still in it at the end, maybe even with Vydra & JRod to snatch a winner/equalizer.

I think it is super we can have these kinds of discussions at this time of the season, being safe with 3 games to go and perhaps a record point tally with a slight chance of Europe certainly wasn't in my thinking when the season kicked off, neither was relegation though.

[warksclaret]

Respect the loyalty for Vydra and no-one can deny his recent contributions.There has been much constructive comments Lets not forget the 3 recent victories out of 5 have been v the bottom 6 clubs. We are playing the European Champs who also walked away with the PL this season.Very physical at the back and in midfield and electric at breaking.We will be up against 70-80% possession by the reds.If we manage to get the ball in their half we will need someone to hold it, and Wood is our best player and outlet at this, and a very good additional defender for free kicks and corners.He generally doesn't get muscled out If I am honest I fear if Vydra starts he will be hawled off at half time, which does nothing for his confidence. A tough decision for the manager , and thats what hes paid for doing

[rob63]

I'd love to see JBG back, but not Brady please. He should have been let go with Lennon and Hart. All he ever does is gift the ball to the opposition by trying to be cleverer than he is.

Now they've given him another year then hopefully he'll be sold in January & we'll see some money for him, otherwise he'll be running his contract down like his best mate & we'll get nowt. We'll have to prove he's fit first or we'll get the barest minimum so I'd expect some sub appearances, but if that relieves the workload on JBG then that'll be a plus.

[boatshed bill]

We've done well with MV and JR up top, probably go the same again.

[superdimitri]

One thing that was apparent in the last match was that Rodriguez played better when Vydra was on the field. I can only assume it's due to how Vydra stretches play.

Yes Wood is effective in what he does and far less likely to miss chances but really I think there's no coincidence the big man little man partnership has worked so well over the years.

I'd like to see him develop a partnership with Rodriguez or Wood.

What I think will happen? Wood will eventually get back in the team and Rodriguez won't get dropped. Next season if he's still here Vydra will be back to 4th choice. It's a shame because if you look at the strike force as a collective I think Vydra should compliment our three other strikers more than they each do to one another.

[jojomk1]

Vydra has missed some chances but I think he's been excellent in these games. One of the problems with him previously was his lack of work rate, it's been phenomenal in the recent games. Really impressed with him and it is allowing us not to rush with Wood.

Maybe one of the reasons for his apparent "lack of work rate" was down to his lack of game time/fitness

Agree, he has been v good in last few games and offers a different style

Playing down the lines instead of through the middle where Dick Van Dyke has pretty much total control could give us some breathing space from the pressure we are going to come under on Sat

He starts for me so we can protect Wood