Foster

[Steve1956]

Don't know if it's be discussed elsewhere what's all the secrecy around Fosters injury/illness?

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Kompany said they will be able to say more next week. Hopefully he’s ok whatever has happened.

[Steve1956]

Kompany said they will be able to say more next week. Hopefully he’s ok whatever has happened.

Strange one don't you think...why next week?

[Woodleyclaret]

Let's hope he's kept behind rather than partake in internationals next fortnight
Personally, I thought having one break bad enough without 3 before Xmas

[Burnley1989]

Judging by his previous battles, I think it’s best to leave him alone, I get he’s our best player but he will be back when he’s ready

[Rileybobs]

Wish him all the best whatever the reason is.

But going into this season with just Jay and Foster as ‘credible’ centre forward options was suicidal. What were we playing at?

[Burnley1989]

Wish him all the best whatever the reason is.

But going into this season with just Jay and Foster as ‘credible’ centre forward options was suicidal. What were we playing at?

I think it was right not to keep Barnes on but you do start wishing we had

[Rileybobs]

I think it was right not to keep Barnes on but you do start wishing we had

He’d have offered something more which is an indictment of our summer. We let Barnes and Weg Wouthorst leave and didn’t replace either.

[dandeclaret]

Wish him all the best whatever the reason is.

But going into this season with just Jay and Foster as ‘credible’ centre forward options was suicidal. What were we playing at?

Was the Swiss internstionL, highly rated, europa conference top scorer not a credible Option?

[BigChaCha]

Was the Swiss internstionL, highly rated, europa conference top scorer not a credible Option?

You are comparing apples with oranges... He is not a 9, a target man or a typical centre forward and wasn't bought as one... He is a fallback 9 when Foster has been out because we didn't buy a backup or replacement for Ashley Barnes!...

Another example of our disastrous transfer window... I do rate him though when playing in the right structure and team formation with the right base behind him.

[Burnley1989]

You are comparing apples with oranges... He is not a 9, a target man or a typical centre forward and wasn't bought as one... He is a fallback 9 when Foster has been out because we didn't buy a backup or replacement for Ashley Barnes!...

Another example of our disastrous transfer window... I do rate him though when playing in the right structure and team formation with the right base behind him.

I honestly think he’s technically our best player, needs to start scoring more goals though

[Boss Hogg]

Wheeling out a past it Jay Rod is desperate and demonstrates what a disastrous transfer window it was. Who was responsible for this ? Why the hell didnt we strengthen in the areas we needed to and that were obvious to the majority of fans.

[FCBurnley]

Mickey Mellon

[steve_f]

Foster “yes that’s me” what would you like to know

[Taffy on the wing]

Maybe he got tired of watching Trafford in goal every week!

[RicardoMontalban]

Wheeling out a past it Jay Rod is desperate and demonstrates what a disastrous transfer window it was. Who was responsible for this ? Why the hell didnt we strengthen in the areas we needed to and that were obvious to the majority of fans.

Foster, Amdouni, Obafemi, Jay Rod.

Possibly thought they had enough there if we’re going to go with one main striker. But Foster’s intermittent availability, Obafemi’s non-availability, Amdouni taking time to settle, and Jay’s advancing years have blown that idea out of the water.

[CoolClaret]

Amdouni has to step up. Simple

Definitely has ability but has to show a lot more than he’s offered so far.

[BurnleyFC]

Amdouni has to step up. Simple

Definitely has ability but has to show a lot more than he’s offered so far.

In a season full of disappointments so far, he’s been the biggest one for me.

From what he’s contributed so far, he shouldn’t be starting, but will probably have to do given our lack of options.

[JohnDearyMe]

In a season full of disappointments so far, he’s been the biggest one for me.

From what he’s contributed so far, he shouldn’t be starting, but will probably have to do given our lack of options.

Showed some nice technique with his goals against Forest (especially in the league) but apart from that i fully agree

[ClaretTony]

I think it was right not to keep Barnes on but you do start wishing we had

Talking about this today and I still think we might have been better keeping him for another year because of his experienced and his influence in the dressing room.

[warksclaret]

Wheeling out a past it Jay Rod is desperate and demonstrates what a disastrous transfer window it was. Who was responsible for this ? Why the hell didnt we strengthen in the areas we needed to and that were obvious to the majority of fans.

Its truly embarrassing wielding Jay out-how he got a two year contract I will never know. Am certain he is one of our highest earners and that wage could have gone to a proper younger No 9

[Rileybobs]

Was the Swiss internstionL, highly rated, europa conference top scorer not a credible Option?

Would you class Amdouni as a centre forward? I think he’s one of our most talented players but he’s no centre forward.

[Commy]

Barnes was the only player that actually had fight in him and fire in his belly and he wasn't bullied like this lot. We should have kept him to show the young ones what is needed. Even Kompany said they all looked up to him. He was also a better option than Jay as he played well last season dropping back to receive the ball and bringing others into play.

[Swizzlestick]

I get the Barnes thing because of his presence etc, but it’s worth remembering that early part of last season he was written off by a lot on here as a bit of a cart horse. I think it was the Rovers game that was the turning point. Also, whose to say he would have stayed - probably would have wanted first team football. Hopefully Jay has a similar renaissance…

[Clive 1960]

Barnes was the only player that actually had fight in him and fire in his belly and he wasn't bullied like this lot. We should have kept him to show the young ones what is needed. Even Kompany said they all looked up to him. He was also a better option than Jay as he played well last season dropping back to receive the ball and bringing others into play.

I don't think the club offered him a contract so he was a free agent , i think if Jay wasn't on a 2 year contract he might have been offered one .

[Burnley1989]

Its truly embarrassing wielding Jay out-how he got a two year contract I will never know. Am certain he is one of our highest earners and that wage could have gone to a proper younger No 9

I don’t think we need any more youngsters to be honest, but I know what you mean!

Hopefully Jay scores today!

[CryerBFC]

I’ve woke up thinking VK was bluffing us all and the press yesterday, letting Woy into a false sense of security, in the hope Palace under estimate us with their line up. Only for 2pm to arrive and there’s Foster in the starting line up.

Need to lay off that whiskey I think

[Belgianclaret]

Talking about this today and I still think we might have been better keeping him for another year because of his experienced and his influence in the dressing room.

Is Barnes not injured at the moment? I may be mistaken, but I didn’t see his name on the team sheet the last few weeks

[ClaretTony]

Is Barnes not injured at the moment? I may be mistaken, but I didn’t see his name on the team sheet the last few weeks

He is injured but that's an injury he's picked up at Norwich. I really do think his experience and leadership could have been invaluable this season.

[1914tyrone]

All this talk of Barnes, the one thing we really miss from him is his defensive qualities. He won many headers from set pieces. It's more alarming how poor we are at defending than worrying if Foster will be fit.

[Belgianclaret]

He is injured but that's an injury he's picked up at Norwich. I really do think his experience and leadership could have been invaluable this season.

Agree about the need for experience and leadership, but I think the decision to let him go was the right one. Gave it all last season but even in the Championship it was obvious the years have caught up with him.

I do think however we are in need of Cork’s steady head on the pitch right now, even if for only 60 mins. Can’t imagine why a seasoned pro like him cannot get any game time.

[ClaretTony]

Agree about the need for experience and leadership, but I think the decision to let him go was the right one. Gave it all last season but even in the Championship it was obvious the years have caught up with him.

I do think however we are in need of Cork’s steady head on the pitch right now, even if for only 60 mins. Can’t imagine why a seasoned pro like him cannot get any game time.

I really can't agree - his experience and leadership would have been invaluable this season as these young players stepped into the Premier League. Kompany himself said he was their leader.

[ElectroClaret]

I really can't agree - his experience and leadership would have been invaluable this season as these young players stepped into the Premier League. Kompany himself said he was their leader.

Completely agree.
He's a big loss to us and that experience is looking like exactly what we need at the moment both on and off the pitch.

Hasn't been replaced, not that you can buy experience on the cheap, but could have done with him for another season while we adjusted to the PL

[NewClaret]

I really can't agree - his experience and leadership would have been invaluable this season as these young players stepped into the Premier League. Kompany himself said he was their leader.

Definitely think we miss Barnes in the dressing room and on the pitch. We’ve got no talkers. Nobody lifting others.

Agree with the other post about cork. I’d play him first 45 at least.