What has happened to Chris Wood?

[Newcastleclaret93]

That was up there with one of the worst performances he has had for the club.

He doesn’t look to be anywhere near the levels of last season.

A striker and winger are a must for January

[FactualFrank]

He's making the right move to miss the chances.

Forwards go through spells, but he's hit double digits every season he's been with us. A consistent striking partner would help. We either stick with him and Barnes or stick with him and Jay.

[Milltown1882]

Had one chance where the cross was too high for him, the guy needs service desperately he is never going to be a busy striker in the Gray/Ings mould.

[IWOODLOVETT]

Should have been subbed today for Jay. Didn’t attack the ball in the air as he usually does and his ball-control on the ground was non-existent. Takes a lot of knocks and needs a rest.

[nyclaret]

He’s certainly not justifying his starting spot currently. He’s not offering much in our overall play.

[tiger76]

If he's dropped/rested who replaces him, there's really only Jay as an option, and Jay's hardly pulled up any trees this season.

For all the criticism of Wood, we've only netted 8 PL goals, and he has 3 of them to his name, and despite missing chances he still represents our biggest goal threat.

[tarkys_ears]

When he gets service, he ***** it up anyway.

He's had an awful season so far, he needed dropping a few games ago.

Yet he's always the last to be subbed... madness!

[ClaretTony]

If he's dropped/rested who replaces him, there's really only Jay as an option, and Jay's hardly pulled up any trees this season.

For all the criticism of Wood, we've only netted 8 PL goals, and he has 3 of them to his name, and despite missing chances he still represents our biggest goal threat.

One of the first names on the team sheet for me but we know with a defeat comes threads targeting players. Seems today it is Woody and Josh Benson who is a young lad finding his way in the game and playing out of position too.

[FactualFrank]

Well you sure as hell don't drop him for these next 2 games, that's for certain sure.

[Conroysleftfoot]

Thought that Wood was involved in some quite good build up play in the second half.

[nyclaret]

One of the first names on the team sheet for me but we know with a defeat comes threads targeting players. Seems today it is Woody and Josh Benson who is a young lad finding his way in the game and playing out of position too.

I think he needs to be dropped. He certainly wouldn’t be the first name on the team sheet. Pope, Tarks, and Mee are definitely ahead of him on that front. There’s nothing wrong with dropping players out of form. Arsenal dropped Aubameyang yesterday and that turned out alright.

[Belgianclaret]

Shoul have buried the first half header but appeared to close his eyes just before contact.
Otherwise there’s no one who can fill his boots for us

[Hedontplayforyou]

I think if that header goes in for him he’s then got 2 in 2 and his tail is up, unfortunately it didn’t and it keeps doubts in his mind.

[tiger76]

One of the first names on the team sheet for me but we know with a defeat comes threads targeting players. Seems today it is Woody and Josh Benson who is a young lad finding his way in the game and playing out of position too.

Yes we lost today harshly as it happens, and only our 2nd defeat in 8 games, Wood has missed some chances that he'd normally bury, but he's a proven PL striker for the past 3 years, and he will come good for us again, I agree with FF these next 2 games offer him and the team a great chance of bagging goals and points, 6 points from Sheff Utd & Fulham games and the table will look more healthier, 12 points earned in 8 games isn't a bad haul, and if we maintain that rate over the rest of the season we'll survive comfortably.

On Benson people called for young players to be given their chance, and then when they are introduced fans immediately get on their backs, Josh was unfortunate the other night giving away the pen, and today he was poor, albeit playing out of position, but to judge him on such a short period is a typical kneejerk reaction on here, if the coaches and management think he's good enough for this level, then I'll trust their judgement over fans on an internet forum, they see the players day in and day out which we don't.

[IWOODLOVETT]

Chris Wood is our target man - nothing more nothing less and he does a very good job of it.

However we are currently a one-trick pony as far as attacking tactics are concerned and our opponents know this, set themselves up defensively and practice all week before we meet. Every pundit in the land trots out the same old line -“ this is Burnley and you know what you’re going to get”.

We were forced to change tactics at the end of last season when Wood and Barnes were both injured and our attacking options improved significantly. Maybe a rest for Woody will give our rivals reasons to rethink their starting line-ups and also their plan B if we bring our man on as an impact sub.?

[Quickenthetempo]

The only difference is he's not scoring. He's never offered much apart from goals.

[Jakubclaret]

I think if that header goes in for him he’s then got 2 in 2 and his tail is up, unfortunately it didn’t and it keeps doubts in his mind.

It keeps doubt in everybody’s mind judging by this thread with people questioning why he’s not burying these easy chances he keeps getting presented with, he’ll come good I’ve no doubt about that he’s just going through a barren run as most strikers do from time to time.

[Tall Paul]

Nothing is wrong with him, he's still our best striker.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Tony I get what your saying but that was one of the worst performances I have seen from a Burnley striker in the prem. the ball bounced of him, he couldn’t pass, didn’t threaten at all.

Dyche has to start considering whether his place is up for grabs.

[bfcjg]

Some of Woods link up play was excellent, he held the ball up very well also.

[Quickenthetempo]

It's not just Chris Wood though.

A front two should set more goals up for each other but I don't think our front two does enough of that.

[Top Claret]

He shows the odd flash in his hold up play but on the whole has been Wooden this season

[BurnleyFC]

It was a fairly horrible performance from him this afternoon.

[diamondpocket]

looks bulky and slow. He can hardly turn at times. Had some nice lay offs in general for Brownhill in the 2nd half but apart from those looked to be battling through mud most of the time.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Some of Woods link up play was excellent, he held the ball up very well also.

You must have watched a different game.

All I saw him do was give the ball away

[Rowls]

Not in the best of form but still our best striker and capable of winning games.

The goals will come.

[Burnleyareback2]

Really expected him to be well up for today’s game.

Glad the next game comes quickly and we can move on.

[IWOODLOVETT]

I don’t think anything has changed in Woody’s game other than opposition defences knowing what to expect from our tactics and his job as target man gets harder each week. Also his goals have dried up because the excellent delivery from the likes of McNeil and Westward he enjoyed last season has lacked the previous quality.

Time for a change in our attacking options.

[warksclaret]

Can see why people are concerned but in the last third of the game his hold up and link up were far better as we were pressing more and giving him more options

Bring back the "old Dwight McNeil" of 12 months ago and the goals from Wood will come. There is not a lot the coaches can teach Wood, so they should focus on Dwight playing a more advanced role, after all he has Taylor covering for him , so no need for McNeil to be simply passing back so much

[Super Teds]

Screenshot_20201227_181349_com.huawei.browser.jpg (260.11 KiB) Viewed 4450 times

[Giftonsnoidea]

Absolutely no service today or recently

[Wellsy1882]

Barnes and Wood can be replaced

[ksrclaret]

You can't deny he (usually) scores goals for us, but I really don't like to watch us when Wood is having one of his off days. He is slow, cumbersome, has a first touch that Andre Gray would wince at, and generally looks like he's just getting in the way. Today, every move broke down when the ball went near him, and he missed a big, big chance.

I would absolutely love to see us utilise the 442 in the way Southampton are doing at the moment. Two strikers up front who aren't target men, but they run and run all day and are a huge threat on the counter. Too often with Wood, and especially when Wood and Barnes play together, the ball gets cleared and if it doesn't land directly on their heads, it's coming right back at us.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Absolutely no service today or recently

Absolutely no service but has missed the most big chances in the prem this season?

[conyoviejo]

Thought that Wood was involved in some quite good build up play in the second half.

Same here,he was collecting the ball laying it off well.

[Giftonsnoidea]

Absolutely no service but has missed the most big chances in the prem this season?

Not absolving of blame but he does get very little good service, can’t think of a glaring miss apart from off Brady this season.

I’d prefer it if he was dropped for a while and we play with different personnel tho

[vancouverclaret]

He had a crap game today, he will bag 2 on Tuesday

[Richardsbfc]

He’s really not great.

Hate the phrase “he needs better service” - As a forward you need to move to create space for the midfield to provide the service - he’s doesn’t move.

I read his hold up play is excellent but his second touch is always a header or a tackle.

Played much better football and created more after the lockdown with two of our more dynamic players in Jay and Vydra.

[Andreshotboots]

Yes we lost today harshly as it happens, and only our 2nd defeat in 8 games, Wood has missed some chances that he'd normally bury, but he's a proven PL striker for the past 3 years, and he will come good for us again, I agree with FF these next 2 games offer him and the team a great chance of bagging goals and points, 6 points from Sheff Utd & Fulham games and the table will look more healthier, 12 points earned in 8 games isn't a bad haul, and if we maintain that rate over the rest of the season we'll survive comfortably.

On Benson people called for young players to be given their chance, and then when they are introduced fans immediately get on their backs, Josh was unfortunate the other night giving away the pen, and today he was poor, albeit playing out of position, but to judge him on such a short period is a typical kneejerk reaction on here, if the coaches and management think he's good enough for this level, then I'll trust their judgement over fans on an internet forum, they see the players day in and day out which we don't.

I thought Benson had a shaky first half but grew into the game nicely and had a decent second half..

[tiger76]

He’s really not great.

Hate the phrase “he needs better service” - As a forward you need to move to create space for the midfield to provide the service - he’s doesn’t move.

I read his hold up play is excellent but his second touch is always a header or a tackle.

Played much better football and created more after the lockdown with two of our more dynamic players in Jay and Vydra.

We did play some nice stuff when Jay and Vyds were in the team last season, however we weren't in a relegation fight then, it's much harder to relax when your embroiled in a scrap.

And even if Sean was considering changing our front line, Vydra is currently injured, so his options are limited ATM.

[Rileybobs]

He's having a poor season and recently he seems to have lost a lot of mobility. Could he be carrying an injury?

His first half was pretty poor but I thought both he and Barnes did well in the second half. It is a crying shame that Brady, and in more so McNeill were unavailable today, as with the amount of ball that we had in the second half we were crying out with some on-point deliveries into the box.

[tiger76]

I thought Benson had a shaky first half but grew into the game nicely and had a decent second half..

Glad to hear he had a decent 2nd half, he'll still be trying to get the mistake against Wolves out of his system, but a couple of good outings will help his confidence no end.

[Tall Paul]

He’s really not great.

Hate the phrase “he needs better service” - As a forward you need to move to create space for the midfield to provide the service - he’s doesn’t move.

I read his hold up play is excellent but his second touch is always a header or a tackle.

Played much better football and created more after the lockdown with two of our more dynamic players in Jay and Vydra.

Didn't score many goals though.

[Richardsbfc]

Didn't score many goals though.

I’ve not checked but I would hazard a guess that we probably scored more goals in the last 8 or 9 games than we have this season

[Tall Paul]

I’ve not checked but I would hazard a guess that we probably scored more goals in the last 8 or 9 games than we have this season

The same number actually. And guess who was our (joint) top scorer in those 9 games.

[DomBFC1882]

I think he needs to be dropped. He certainly wouldn’t be the first name on the team sheet. Pope, Tarks, and Mee are definitely ahead of him on that front. There’s nothing wrong with dropping players out of form. Arsenal dropped Aubameyang yesterday and that turned out alright.

This

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not absolving of blame but he does get very little good service, can’t think of a glaring miss apart from off Brady this season.

I’d prefer it if he was dropped for a while and we play with different personnel tho

He’s missed at least three one on ones this season and that sitter of a header from Brady.

The service has been there, something just isn’t clicking with him this season. Part of me thinks is he still running of some niggles from last season.

[Vegas Claret]

can't score if you are given such minimal chances. We are utterly desperate for creativity, if ALK have some decent cash we need a right winger and a number 10, let's just hope they have enough to make a difference and that Dyche is willing to implement and new signings into the team

Andy Cole scored boat loads in his career but ask Newcastle and Man Utd fans - he needed 6 chances a game to get his goal, Woody gets 1-2 a game if he is lucky

[Giftonsnoidea]

He needs quality crosses and lots of them , if we had a midfielder that could do through balls he’d be firing again

I’d prefer Jay Rod to start for a while with a creative midfielder/forward behind which I keep banging on about

[Iloveyoubrady]

Definitely don’t drop him but he needs to start putting chances away which I’m sure he will. His general hold up play and linking with the midfield I thought was good today. In parts he was getting on the ball and linking with the midfield eel.