Vydra or Wood

[jojomk1]

Surprised that Wood started yesterday given he is still not likely to be 100%

The first half was, in the main, just long balls up to the front two which resulted in the pressure immediately being put back on to us

Vydra gives us something different.

He and Jay seem to have a good understanding. Quite often one of them will come a lot deeper to offer for a shorter ball from the midfield.
They seem to take it in turns to go out wide for balls down the line with the other one then looking for the cross

Wood is a good player, but still think Vydra should be starting for these last few games to try and build on a blossoming partnership with Jay

[gtclaret]

Vydra for me as well

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Thought Vydra has looked tired the last couple. So can understand the change. But then looks really threatening coming on around the 60 against the Champs. Who’d be a manager eh?

[dandeclaret]

Vydra looks nice, neat and tidy, very little end product.

Wood scores goals.

[ElectroClaret]

When both fully fit, Wood every time.

[Colburn_Claret]

I'd go with Wood, he scores. His hold up play has improved no end this season as well, so to judge him on a game against Liverpool is silly. Vydra definitely brings something to the team, but I cant see him being a regular starter. That's why clubs have a squad, so they can mix it up, which we have struggled to do in the past. With Wood, Jay, Vydra and a fit Barnes we can really mix it going forward.

[Swizzlestick]

Wood, without a doubt, but Vydra is a great option now to change things up if needed. Been impressed with his movement and commitment.

[fatboy47]

In the main I'd go for Wood starting, but Vydra has been criminally underused.

[Funkydrummer]

Vydra for me over Wood everytime. Whilst not a prolific scorer, yet, I think he offers a lot more
to our overall gameplan. Wood is a good sub to upset settled defences if needed.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Wood is our best striker and our best goalscorer. Has to be him. Wood can play with the ball on the deck so it’s really just the mindset that changes not to hoof it. Vydra is a very good option to have with pace.

[Hibsclaret]

#niceproblemstohave

[bobinho]

What has become apparent while we havent been able to use wood, is just how well we can actually play going forward when we aren’t playing it long up to wood/barnes.

People are continually telling us how good Burnley are when they don’t have the ball, but that’s doing us an injustice I think. We are actually very good indeed when we have possession, and I think we LOOK better when Vydra/Rodriguez play. We may not be as effective, and the stats may well contradict my thoughts, but our game is different and not what people may be expecting. It’s a credit to SD and his coaching team that we can play so differently.

[nyclaret]

I really hope Vyds stays for the foreseeable future - he offers something different and seems to have bought into the Dyche mentality. Hard to imagine he was close to joining Rangers in January!

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

I hope Vydra stays and am pleased he’s had the opportunity to prove himself but he just misses too many chances. We don’t get that many and need to take as many as possible.
Early season we were top of conversion stats. I don’t know current figures but I’d be surprised if we haven’t fallen away.
Wood is a finisher and he makes good runs behind. His hold up play could be better, Vydra has him there. Still Wood for me and Vydra to come off the bench about the hour mark.

[clarethomer]

I prefer the style of football that we play when Vydra is on.

The stats may tell otherwise but it just feels we play more on the floor and focus playing to feet.

Don't get me wrong though, I think there is a time and place where either is likely to be more effective so rotation and substitutions are what should happen to give us the best chance to beat our opponent.

[tim_noone]

I prefer the style of football that we play when Vydra is on.

The stats may tell otherwise but it just feels we play more on the floor and focus playing to feet.

Don't get me wrong though, I think there is a time and place where either is likely to be more effective so rotation and substitutions are what should happen to give us the best chance to beat our opponent.

perfectly put CH...... I couldn't agree more horses for courses...and with vydra you dont know what he's gonna do next. Were blessed with both.

[Darthlaw]

Right now it’s Vydra, when fully fit it’s Wood.

Only thing Wood contributed yesterday was tiring the Linesman’s arm.

[BenWickes]

It's not as black and white as who is the better striker. Sometimes you have to adapt to the opposition. I said on the prediction thread we'd draw 1-1 (not the only one) because I thought Vydra up front with Rodriguez would make us more mobile and give their defence something different to think about. I thought we'd go with a version of 4-5-1. Not mentioning Wood needs to be eased back into games. Vydra is technically a good player. Wood is a natural finisher. Both have qualities the other doesn't. The key is using that effectively with Rodriguez for me.

[BacupClaret]

Vydra every time, I cant understand why Wood was brought back in yesterday, we have been playing well and creating chances without him.

[Gordaleman]

We looked far more threatening when Vyds and Gudders came on, and we started to stretch the Liverpool defence.

Clearly Popey was MOM and it's reflected in the poll on here, but Vyds and Wood got one vote each, yet Vyds was on the pitch for half the time that Wood was.

We also play more attractive football when Vyds is on the pitch as we can't just lump it up the field for a big striker to hold up.

I know who I prefer. Vyds creates and scores goals, wheareas Wood mostly takes advantage of knock downs from Tarks and Mee from set pieces.

[Quickenthetempo]

Vydra is the better footballer by far and Wood is the better goalscorer.

We play better football with Vydra and Jay Rod up top.

We have 4 strikers that are all worth a place in the premier league, which is a position I never thought we would be in.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Dependent on the other players we have starting and the team we are playing.

I must admit though, that first half yesterday was crying out for Vydra.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Wood every time for me
To say we played more attacking football when Vydra and JBG came on was obvious as we were a goal down
If we had been a goal up the 2 subs would not have entered the Fray

[ten bellies]

Vydra. Links play better, his touch is better, his movement is better, and more importantly plays better with Jay.

[FactualFrank]

Also depends on the opposition. Both can be better suited against different teams.

[NewClaret]

Can see why Dyche started Wood. It was clear opportunities from open play would be limited against Liverpool, so a player that could benefit from set pieces was more important. Also, having the option of bringing some pace off the bench as they tire was probably appealing.

Overall I thought Wood was poor. Offside too much and sloppy once with some stupid flick in the second half that nearly cost us.

Vyds has been outstanding recently. Great work rate and all round play, demonstrating great professionalism after being out of the side for a long while. I’d like Dyche to repay that by starting him against Wolves and the remaining two games. That makes sense to me because I don’t like to see players get fit from injury and walk straight back in when their understudies (if you can call them that) have been performing well.

Then it’s down to form and training performances in pre-season to determine who starts up front next year.

[alwaysaclaret]

The simply fact is if we want a team game with a player that creates space is more mobile and brings a certain other player into the game to score goals and vice versa, which enables us to play better football, or on the other hand do we want a player up there waiting for balls to be lumped up from the back and consequently missing the rest out and then in turn the ball coming straight back and being under further pressure, I know which one I would prefer, just my opinion mind.

[dandeclaret]

As ever, the further down the thread the more polarised the argument.

The reality is that Wood has scored 31 goals in 90 games for Burnley. A fantastic strike rate, is strong in the air, good at holding the ball up and has the pace to run in behind. He's been an integral part of the success of the team for 3 seasons now, and is regularly under rated by Burnley fans.

Vydra is neat and tidy, has a bit of pace, and a few nice flicks. However, in front of goal, he is wasteful. His final ball is often lacking as well. There's no point being neat and tidy, if it yields very little.

On the point that he plays better with Jay, I'd actually say prior to injury, the partnership of Wood and Jay saw better interplay, with the team playing higher up the pitch. I would say, that it's actually Jay who makes others look better footballers, given his abilty to drop in, link play and travel with the ball.

[NickBFC]

Wood for me - a proven scorer at this level. Vydra offers something different, but he is a little lightweight at times and his finishing aside from Southampton often leaves a bit to be desired. I'd like to see us keep Vydra though and use him more next season - he's ahead of Barnes now for me but I see Wood and Jay as best forwards at this level.

[Vino blanco]

If all our strikers are fully fit, I would go for Wood and Jayrod. Wood gets the goals that a centre forward is paid to get, whilst Jayrod's link up play is excellent and he also scores good goals.

[agreenwood]

Is this a serious question?

[Iloveyoubrady]

with some stupid flick in the second half that nearly cost us.

If your talking about the one that hit the post it was jay rod

[Vegas Claret]

game changed when Vydra came on, forced to stop launching it so Vydra for me

[warksclaret]

Thought yesterday went well-Vydra came on and gave us new energy. Wood will be a step closer to fitness

Vydra can take comfort that he is now considered to be a serious option. Pre Christmas he was getting absolutely no or little game time, particularly when we were chasing games. The ultimate insult being Kevin Long being preferred in one game. Now he is either starting and if not coming on soon after the break. He has gone up in SD's estimation

[FactualFrank]

Thought yesterday went well-Vydra came on and gave us new energy. Wood will be a step closer to fitness

Vydra can take comfort that he is now considered to be a serious option. Pre Christmas he was getting absolutely no or little game time, particularly when we were chasing games. The ultimate insult being Kevin Long being preferred in one game. Now he is either starting and if not coming on soon after the break. He has gone up in SD's estimation

SD is of course a great manager, but he misses things that us fans already knew. But it often takes a forced move for him to then realise it.

[Vegas Claret]

either way I think Vydra has pushed himself above Barnes in the order

[dsr]

Vydra is the better footballer by far and Wood is the better goalscorer.

We play better football with Vydra and Jay Rod up top.

We have 4 strikers that are all worth a place in the premier league, which is a position I never thought we would be in.

I think Dyche has a very strong opinion (that i happen to agree with) that goals are the most important part of the game. A side like Burnley with two goalscorers up front tends to get better results than a side with fewer goalscorers, even if they look prettier. Look at the plaudits Norwich are getting with their side full of ball players and footballers - but they aren't scoring any goals.

[NewClaret]

If your talking about the one that hit the post it was jay rod

Was it? Middle of the park, came to him & he tried a little back heel that didn’t come off? Can’t remember if that was the

I did also think it was Wood that missed the chance before HT, but later found out that was JRod so might be giving Wood a hard time unfairly.

(Was watching stream on my phone so hard to see)

[jurek]

It'll be difficult to assess/decide who might be
our best two starting up front. Much will depend on fitness
and who our next opponents might be - to a degree,

I think Dyche will at present favour Wood and JRod
arguably our two most potent goalscorers.

At present he could pair any two from three but a Wood/Vydra
combination hasn't really had much chance to prove itself
Whereas JRod/Vydra seems to have performed reasonably well.

TIme will no doubt tell but it's a good scenario to be in.

[Quickenthetempo]

I think Dyche has a very strong opinion (that i happen to agree with) that goals are the most important part of the game. A side like Burnley with two goalscorers up front tends to get better results than a side with fewer goalscorers, even if they look prettier. Look at the plaudits Norwich are getting with their side full of ball players and footballers - but they aren't scoring any goals.

Wood is clearly his favourite with Jay Rod not far behind.
He reluctantly played Vydra and got the hump when fans cheered him playing.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Our record with Vydra starting is now exceptional. Within minutes of him coming on yesterday, we scored.

Doesn’t matter if he contributed, some players just seem to bring results. Wood is very good too, but if it ain’t broke......

[dsr]

Our record with Vydra starting is now exceptional. Within minutes of him coming on yesterday, we scored.

Doesn’t matter if he contributed, some players just seem to bring results. Wood is very good too, but if it ain’t broke......

In Wood's last 6 starts, we won 3 drew 3. In Vydra's last 7 starts, we won 4 drew 2 lost 1. Not a lot in it - it's not a matter of win with Vydra, lose with Wood.

I don't think you can put the upsurge in our from in January being caused by Vydra's introduction in February.

[CrosspoolClarets]

In Wood's last 6 starts, we won 3 drew 3. In Vydra's last 7 starts, we won 4 drew 2 lost 1. Not a lot in it - it's not a matter of win with Vydra, lose with Wood.

I don't think you can put the upsurge in our from in January being caused by Vydra's introduction in February.

Stats can be used a bit selectively at times. Tweaking those makes a big difference.

The three games not won in Vydra’s last seven starts included City away and Blades at home (where we conceded after he went off and Wood came on, which wasn’t Wood’s fault but one could argue Wood makes us more defensive in style, inviting pressure).

Wood’s last six starts included draws against Liverpool (where we scored after Vydra came on for him), Arsenal (where we failed to score and Vydra was an unused sub) and Tottenham (where we all knew Vydra would be the fall guy for the Newcastle game and to be fair Wood did score).

We may look back at those games against Blades, Spurs and Arsenal in particular as being crucial to where we finish, and if we look at goals when each has been on the pitch, rather than when they started a game, Vydra is very unlucky to lose his place. I’d rather have both at the club than neither though.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Was it? Middle of the park, came to him & he tried a little back heel that didn’t come off? Can’t remember if that was the

I did also think it was Wood that missed the chance before HT, but later found out that was JRod so might be giving Wood a hard time unfairly.

(Was watching stream on my phone so hard to see)

I also was watching on my phone and did the same thing. FFS WOOD! Only to see number 19 on his back

[tiger76]

Wood and Jay are our best pairing, and crucially our biggest goal threat, Vydra has looked good, and he offers us a different dynamic, but he needs to start burying these chances, Wood and Jay are our 2 most natural finishers, therefore if both are fit, they have to both start, Vydra's a useful option off the bench when defenders are tiring.

[Spike]

Wood without doubt

[FactualFrank]

It's a good problem to have.

[California Colner]

I think we look more dangerous with Vydra playing
With his pace it gives there defenders more to think about
Wood is easy for a defender to keep tabs on
Plus with Wood playing we start hoofing the ball more which Wood puts himself offside more often than not

[Rileybobs]

Short memories some of you have. Wood is our best goal scorer. A team like ours which relies on keeping it tight at the back and nicking results is always going to play its most clinical striker.

Vydra has done well and is a good option to have but he doesn’t carry the same goal threat. We’ve also played just as good football this season with Wood up top. Crediting the upturn in our performance on Saturday to Vydra would be overlooking the fact that Liverpool completely opened up to look for the winner.

[FactualFrank]

Crediting the upturn in our performance on Saturday to Vydra would be overlooking the fact that Liverpool completely opened up to look for the winner.

When Vydra came on, Liverpool were leading and we improved to level.