Foster and Beyer remain out

[ClaretTony]

From VK

Foster has had surgery - no details given - not likely to end his season but out a while
Beyer - progressing
Taylor - was close last week at Liverpool (he was actually warming up on the pitch pre game)

[whiffa]

From VK

Foster has had surgery - no details given - not likely to end his season but out a while
Beyer - progressing
Taylor - was close last week at Liverpool (he was actually warming up on the pitch pre game)

Pleased to hear Foster's absence confirmed as a physical injury and not a return of his mental health struggles.
I still think Beyer is the best CB at the club and can't wait to have him back personally.

[Nori1958]

From VK

Foster has had surgery - no details given - not likely to end his season but out a while
Beyer - progressing
Taylor - was close last week at Liverpool (he was actually warming up on the pitch pre game)

He described Foster's injury as a chronic issue.

[RVclaret]

Thank goodness we signed Fofana.

[ElectroClaret]

Foster's absence in particular is a real blow...he was looking very useful.

As RV says good thing we got Fofana who looks
pretty good too.

UTC

[FCBurnley]

Is it just me or do we seem to have more injuries this season than most clubs ? And further more when our players are injured they seem to be missing for prolonged periods Is this a problem with our fitness levels or an issue with our medical staff or have we just been mega unlucky ?

[FCBurnley]

Foster's absence in particular is a real blow...he was looking very useful.

As RV says good thing we got Fofana who looks
pretty good too.

UTC

Foster could well have scored 2 at Liverpool. He is the better finisher from what little I have seen. Be interesting to see them together!

[ClaretTony]

Pleased to hear Foster's absence confirmed as a physical injury and not a return of his mental health struggles.
I still think Beyer is the best CB at the club and can't wait to have him back personally.

I did confirm that it was a physical injury last week.

Have to comment on your last line, I think we are stronger with Beyer out. I think he's struggled defensively at this level.

[Quickenthetempo]

I did confirm that it was a physical injury last week.

Have to comment on your last line, I think we are stronger with Beyer out. I think he's struggled defensively at this level.

There was a big clue away at Man U last season that Beyer and THB might struggle defensively at this level.

When the United player hooked it back in for the goal, they were both flat footed. A natural defender sniffs danger out and takes up good positions.

[Falcon]

Is it just me or do we seem to have more injuries this season than most clubs ? And further more when our players are injured they seem to be missing for prolonged periods Is this a problem with our fitness levels or an issue with our medical staff or have we just been mega unlucky ?

Sky did an article last month and we were actually only 14th in terms of 'player days lost through injury'. Newcastle and Brentford were the most badly hit. We were 11th on 'number of players lost through injury', Newcastle again top of that table along with Brighton and Manure.

[FCBurnley]

Sky did an article last month and we were actually only 14th in terms of 'player days lost through injury'. Newcastle and Brentford were the most badly hit. We were 11th on 'number of players lost through injury', Newcastle again top of that table along with Brighton and Manure.

Interesting stats. Newcastle have certainly been badly hit as have Brighton Would have thought we were up there with them but clearly not I guess you notice it more when you lose your own key players

[kentonclaret]

Sky did an article last month and we were actually only 14th in terms of 'player days lost through injury'. Newcastle and Brentford were the most badly hit. We were 11th on 'number of players lost through injury', Newcastle again top of that table along with Brighton and Manure.

You only have to look at Crystal Palace who are missing key players in Eze, Guehi and Olise due to injury.
Looking at team news in last weekend’s paper Burnley were one of the clubs least affected by injuries.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Very unfortunate news on Foster.

Kompany did confirm an injury last week but it’s sad that it requires surgery.

[Goody1975]

I did confirm that it was a physical injury last week.

Have to comment on your last line, I think we are stronger with Beyer out. I think he's struggled defensively at this level.

There was a discussion on the Jordan Beyer thread yesterday, the mitigation by some for his poor form was the influx of new players and the constant changing of the back four in the early part of the season, a few people (me included) wouldn't mind us (when he's fit) slotting him into a hybrid defensive midfielder/third centre half role.

Gives the back four protection and more of a physical presence, and also allows Berge to do what he's best at. Would it work? Don't know but we have to do something different in the middle of the park and Berge playing so deep is mental.

[Goliath]

Beyer has been out of position all season. I always found Tarkowski a bit ropey when he moved to the left as well so i think its unfair to make any judgement at this stage.
More worrysome is his constant injuries, he seems very brittle for a PL centre back.

[gandhisflipflop]

Any news on esteve

[Goody1975]

Any news on esteve

Why?

[Lord_Bob]

Agree with Goliath, I think a lot of Beyer's issues this season are because he was playing LCB. We could get away with that in the Championship, not in the PL.

Now we appear to have a solid LCB (Esteve) wouldn't mind seeing Beyer at RCB, but O'Shea is improving so Beyer may have to wait.

[claretcarrot93]

I did confirm that it was a physical injury last week.

Have to comment on your last line, I think we are stronger with Beyer out. I think he's struggled defensively at this level.

We have not won a game without Beyer have we?

[agreenwood]

I think one of the stories of this season will turn out to be how many games we missed Foster.

Nobody’s fault, but he’s missed 10 PL games and counting and we nearly always look better when he’s playing.

[FCBurnley]

Assuming no injuries pick your preferred back 5 Mine is

Muric
Assignon
O’Shea
Esteve ( from very limited minutes)
Taylor

Very tough choice especially to leave out Beyer Delcroix but they would be great back ups

[claretcarrot93]

We have not won a game without Beyer have we?

Just checked he has started all 3 of our wins and is still our best ball playing CB.

[FCBurnley]

Just checked he has started all 3 of our wins and is still our best ball playing CB.

So has Trafford !!

[claretcarrot93]

So has Trafford !!

He has played every game so makes it redundant. Beyer has missed half of them but played in all the wins.

[ecc]

Crap news about Lyle. Just a crap bloody season.

[ClaretTony]

We have not won a game without Beyer have we?

Nor have we won a game without Trafford, Berge, Amdouni, Brownhill or Taylor.

[claretcarrot93]

Nor have we won a game without Trafford, Berge, Amdouni, Brownhill or Taylor.

How many games have they missed?

A better team without Beyer yet not won a game without him.

[Pickles]

We have not won a game without Beyer have we?

In a season where we've been rubbish and haven't won many, I'm not so sure how strong a stat that is.

[ClaretTony]

How many games have they missed?

A better team without Beyer yet not won a game without him.

Results or no results, I think Beyer has been found seriously lacking at centre back at this level. Someone mentioned above his performances in the cup ties last season too against the top clubs.

[ClaretTony]

In a season where we've been rubbish and haven't won many, I'm not so sure how strong a stat that is.

Hardly a worthwhile stat at all

[claretcarrot93]

In a season where we've been rubbish and haven't won many, I'm not so sure how strong a stat that is.

Just that you would expect that a better team without him we may have won a game

[claretcarrot93]

Hardly a worthwhile stat at all

Shocking that a stat that goes against a point you make isn't worthwhile.

[MDWat]

With Beyer:

3-2-10 - 0.7 points per game

Without Beyer

0-2-7 - 0.2 points per game

They’re both shite numbers, let’s be honest. O’Shea has had a longer run of games and with games he has improved.

Beyer has been in and out with injuries so hard to see any improvement in his game.

Beyer was linked with West Ham in January. He’s the obvious candidate for a sale in the summer from the defenders.

[claretcarrot93]

With Beyer:

3-2-10 - 0.7 points per game

Without Beyer

0-2-7 - 0.2 points per game

They’re both shite numbers, let’s be honest. O’Shea has had a longer run of games and with games he has improved.

Beyer has been in and out with injuries so hard to see any improvement in his game.

Beyer was linked with West Ham in January. He’s the obvious candidate for a sale in the summer from the defenders.

Not great but tells a story. A fuller fit Beyer gets in the team. It his fitness that is the issue not his ability.

[ClaretTony]

Not great but tells a story. A fuller fit Beyer gets in the team. It his fitness that is the issue not his ability.

It's been his mistakes this season that has cost us goals. I'm not sure he gets back in now when fit.

[Cooclaret]

There was a discussion on the Jordan Beyer thread yesterday, the mitigation by some for his poor form was the influx of new players and the constant changing of the back four in the early part of the season, a few people (me included) wouldn't mind us (when he's fit) slotting him into a hybrid defensive midfielder/third centre half role.

Gives the back four protection and more of a physical presence, and also allows Berge to do what he's best at. Would it work? Don't know but we have to do something different in the middle of the park and Berge playing so deep is mental.

Repeat after me:

G R A H A M A L E X A N D E R was the EXCEPTION not the RULE.

[Goody1975]

Repeat after me:

G R A H A M A L E X A N D E R was the EXCEPTION not the RULE.

Repeat after me:

THIS IS AN OPINION NOT A FACT

[Cooclaret]

Repeat after me:

THIS IS AN OPINION NOT A FACT

true!

But it really is a BFC obsession that we must play defenders in midfield!

From Branchy (who knew where he should play), to Edgar and finishing on Tarks…let them be lads.

[Westleigh]

Why?

Because he limped off last Saturday.

[Westleigh]

It's been his mistakes this season that has cost us goals. I'm not sure he gets back in now when fit.

If every player that cost us a goal this season in the league was left out then possibly only Muric and Benson and the new guys would be playing.

[ClaretTony]

If every player that cost us a goal this season in the league was left out then possibly only Muric and Benson and the new guys would be playing.

Agreed but I've thought in many games this season he's looked miles off it, and often giving the ball away moving forward leaving us horribly exposed at the back. I'm not convinced he's a central defender to be honest.

[Westleigh]

Agreed but I've thought in many games this season he's looked miles off it, and often giving the ball away moving forward leaving us horribly exposed at the back. I'm not convinced he's a central defender to be honest.

It’s mainly down to the standard of the opposition this season I suppose ,last year he used to charge through the middle and over the halfway line and play a decent ball to either wing ,this year they’re on him like a ton of bricks.Im sure he has the ability but it’s knowing when ,and what to do with the ball ,unfortunately we’ve never had an experienced CH to play with the youngsters.

[boyyanno]

I too think that Beyer would struggle to get in my 11 even if he were fit right now. I actually think this is a very good back four, even better if we had a new Left Back.

Assignon, O'Shea, Esteve, Taylor

I think we've subtly come away from a system that suits Beyer. I think he was/and is more suited to playing in a system with Cullen and Muric. Now he's part of a back four that has to be more defensive I think he's been a bit exposed at times. Assuming Assignon leaves I wouldn't be against giving Beyer a shot at right back.

[claretcarrot93]

Agreed but I've thought in many games this season he's looked miles off it, and often giving the ball away moving forward leaving us horribly exposed at the back. I'm not convinced he's a central defender to be honest.

Was arguably our best player last season playing in that position

[Vino blanco]

Now that we have a left sided centre back in Esteve, I would love to see Beyer play alongside him in his accustomed position at right centre back. Why Beyer over O'Shea? The answer is simple for me....he's a better player.

[Goliath]

Agreed but I've thought in many games this season he's looked miles off it, and often giving the ball away moving forward leaving us horribly exposed at the back. I'm not convinced he's a central defender to be honest.

Because hes driving forwards from the left side and is coming into the traffic on his tight foot, it looks ungainly. If he does it from the right side id expect better results.
He does need to be very careful when he does it in this league though, lose it in there and you end up with the ball in the back of your net 5 seconds later.

[Goody1975]

Because he limped off last Saturday.

Ah, I thought that was just cramp.

[warksclaret]

Beyer was outstanding in the Championship last season. For me the "John Stone" of the Championship.However to continue that into the PL you would need to be outstanding. You just get found out in this Division

[Vegas Claret]

missing Foster has been so hard for us this season, he made such a difference when he did play. Hope he gets his injury sorted and can hit the ground running next season

[Goody1975]

true!

But it really is a BFC obsession that we must play defenders in midfield!

From Branchy (who knew where he should play), to Edgar and finishing on Tarks…let them be lads.

Just to add, my thought process was him playing as an extra centre half who sweeps in front of the back four to free up Berge to do what he does best.

We have to find a way to allow Berge to get a game by the scruff of the neck, hamstringing him by playing him deep won't work, especially when our other central midfield options are so weak.

Beyer hadn't played very often in a back two before arriving with us, he played a lot in a back three, either the central or right sided player in the three, it's not so far fetched.

Of course I'd have preferred us to sign a central midfielder to do the job, rather than shoehorning someone else in there but our current options just aren't working.