Lyle Foster

[Tricky Trevor]

Ben Mee, Stephen Ward,Michael Duff, Tarkowski , Michael Keane, Tom Heaton

All defenders bar Tom. I wonder how much that had to do with SD coaching and his system.

[KRBFC]

It’s a poor argument Warks put forward, it’s like saying Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Harry Kane were better suited to PL football because they performed better at that level, whilst totally ignoring the fact that they played PL football when they were far better players due to age. Like Kane played in the Championship when he was a kid learning the game on the flip side Cole and Rooney must have been approaching 40.

[Vegas Claret]

How many times are we gonna keep saying this and making excuses for him? He can’t pass 5 yards

I do hope you live in a perfect world where everything is rosy mate, unfortunately for Lyle that hasn't been the case and it's likely we don't even know the half of it. The point now is he is in a happy dressing room with a manager that is clearly looked up to by everyone - so the environment is there for him to thrive with no excuses. If he doesn't then he will be moved on.

[KRBFC]

I do hope you live in a perfect world where everything is rosy mate, unfortunately for Lyle that hasn't been the case and it's likely we don't even know the half of it. The point now is he is in a happy dressing room with a manager that is clearly looked up to by everyone - so the environment is there for him to thrive with no excuses. If he doesn't then he will be moved on.

You put all the blame on Kompany, the man who signed him and actually played his best football under. Like you forgot Parker was the manager for the entirety of last season and Lyle scored like twice.

[Vegas Claret]

You put all the blame on Kompany, the man who signed him and actually played his best football under. Like you forgot Parker was the manager for the entirety of last season and Lyle scored like twice.

Oh so you live in a rosy world with a button that just changes everything immediately when you press it. Give it a rest.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Some real guff on here as usual, there is a really good player in Foster, he can finish too, I recall a really nice steered finish away to Sheff Utd when I was right in front of it, but it seems to be down to how much is swilling around his head at a moment in time.

I suspect he is one not to hang our hopes on but who as an impact player could grab a valuable win or two - and that could prove vital.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Some real guff on here as usual, there is a really good player in Foster, he can finish too, I recall a really nice steered finish away to Sheff Utd when I was right in front of it, but it seems to be down to how much is swilling around his head at a moment in time.

I suspect he is one not to hang our hopes on but who as an impact player could grab a valuable win or two - and that could prove vital.

Really good player is stretching it a bit! One we should be looking to move on this summer along with quite a few others.

[Jakubclaret]

Some real guff on here as usual, there is a really good player in Foster, he can finish too, I recall a really nice steered finish away to Sheff Utd when I was right in front of it, but it seems to be down to how much is swilling around his head at a moment in time.

I suspect he is one not to hang our hopes on but who as an impact player could grab a valuable win or two - and that could prove vital.

I keep hearing the same old tired theme trotted out such as - The boys got talent or there is a player in there somewhere the same applied to a tresor comment this afternoon. It's all good & well but if they are always injured it's as much use as a handbrake on a canoe. We need people fit & firing committed to the cause.

[No Ney Never]

If he's not showing he's ready during pre season for this season's campaign, then sadly we need to move him on.

[boatshed bill]

Support our players, it's a priority.
Admittedly a bunch of keyboard-happy "fans" don't define a player's career, but how about showing a positive/supportive attitude towards LF and all our players.

[taio]

Support our players, it's a priority.
Admittedly a bunch of keyboard-happy "fans" don't define a player's career, but how about showing a positive/supportive attitude towards LF and all our players.

I'd say we need 2.
Starting the season with just Barnes and Foster as options up front would be a disaster.

[boatshed bill]

So, that is an honest comment, it doesn't denegrate Foster or Barnes to say that they alone would not be enough up front for a PL season.
An injury to either, were they our only options, would be a disaster.

[whiffa]

Support our players, it's a priority.
Admittedly a bunch of keyboard-happy "fans" don't define a player's career, but how about showing a positive/supportive attitude towards LF and all our players.

I'm not negative towards Kyle myself, but I feel like year after year I've given him support and benefit of the doubt and sadly - in my opinion he's a mid-Championship player. He's had enough support and time to try and become more than that. We need better.

[boatshed bill]

I'm not negative towards Kyle myself, but I feel like year after year I've given him support and benefit of the doubt and sadly - in my opinion he's a mid-Championship player. He's had enough support and time to try and become more than that. We need better.

So what do you do?
I hope you would support if selected.

[Jakubclaret]

Support our players, it's a priority.
Admittedly a bunch of keyboard-happy "fans" don't define a player's career, but how about showing a positive/supportive attitude towards LF and all our players.

How far & how long for does the benevolence stretch. God only knows haven't people been patient enough already. In my opinion we are fast becoming the number 1 gravy train.

[boatshed bill]

How far & how long for does the benevolence stretch. God only knows haven't people been patient enough already. In my opinion we are fast becoming the number 1 gravy train.

Do whatever you want. if it makes you happy

[Milltown1882]

He’s absolutely shite, sell and move on next please.

[whiffa]

So what do you do?
I hope you would support if selected.

Oh absolutely, I back the lads always but if someone isn't good enough we need to sign better. Doesn't matter whether that's Foster or Delcroix or Dodgson etc etc etc

[warksclaret]

For those supposed fans being hyper crytical of a group of our players (and I think we all know which players), I would love to know what they ever achieved in their own careers, if they even had one. We are six weeks away from from a tremendous return to the PL by our team and manager and already members of our team are getting criticised before a ball is kicked.

[whiffa]

For those supposed fans being hyper crytical of a group of our players (and I think we all know which players), I would love to know what they ever achieved in their own careers, if they even had one. We are six weeks away from from a tremendous return to the PL by our team and manager and already members of our team are getting criticised before a ball is kicked.

There's a big difference between "Hyper-criticality" and simply suggesting a player isn't good enough to step up to the Premier League given their previous 2 or 3 seasons at the club. The players will still be backed, but there has to be some logic thrown into the equation.

[Robbie_painter]

Some real guff on here as usual, there is a really good player in Foster, he can finish too, I recall a really nice steered finish away to Sheff Utd when I was right in front of it, but it seems to be down to how much is swilling around his head at a moment in time.

I suspect he is one not to hang our hopes on but who as an impact player could grab a valuable win or two - and that could prove vital.

Some real guff on here then saying there’s a really good player in foster is unreal.

[fidelcastro]

For those supposed fans being hyper crytical of a group of our players (and I think we all know which players), I would love to know what they ever achieved in their own careers, if they even had one. We are six weeks away from from a tremendous return to the PL by our team and manager and already members of our team are getting criticised before a ball is kicked.

It's not being hyper critical though, is it?

There's a general consensus that Foster isn't very good. It doesn't mean anyone will be booing his every touch of the ball!

Naturally, we all hope he proves us wrong.

[warksclaret]

There's a big difference between "Hyper-criticality" and simply suggesting a player isn't good enough to step up to the Premier League given their previous 2 or 3 seasons at the club. The players will still be backed, but there has to be some logic thrown into the equation.

Its not the suggestions that concern me-with some posters it goes well beyond a certain level and gets unpleasant. At the end of the day we are all meant to be "supporters" in every sense of the word

[fidelcastro]

Its not the suggestions that concern me-with some posters it goes well beyond a certain level and gets unpleasant. At the end of the day we are all meant to be "supporters" in every sense of the word

He'll get full backing if selected, but you can't stop people having an opinion on him, based on the evidence in front of them.

[whiffa]

He'll get full backing if selected, but you can't stop people having an opinion on him, based on the evidence in front of them.

In fairness I think Warks was specifically saying we shouldn't overstep the line being critical of our own players, not saying we can't have an opinion. I was just assuming his message was replying to my own, which it wasnt.

[No Ney Never]

It's quite simple. He's had all the support one could wish for to overcome his issues, if after all this time he's still not in a place to perform, or is simply not good enough, then it's time to move him on. We are a football club after all. That doesn't mean he can't continue to sort whatever issues he has, and it doesn't mean we don't care.

[warksclaret]

In fairness I think Warks was specifically saying we shouldn't overstep the line being critical of our own players, not saying we can't have an opinion. I was just assuming his message was replying to my own, which it wasnt.

There are some very constructive criticisms of Foster on this post and can accept them. I think I probably am over sympathetic for the guy because I went through some serious mental issues a few years ago but fought through them and have an understanding of what he went through, and I did not have the pressure of keeping 20,000plus fans excited during a match.

What I do find very sad is when our so called supporters in this post state he is "total shite" "absolute ****", "the most ineffective striker they can remember" and " can't pass the ball further than 5 yards"

Some supporters !!

[jojomk1]

At this moment in time
He is a better option than Ashley Barnes

[123EasyasBFC]

If the reports on X that Amdouni has suffered a serious injury are true then Foster becomes even more important again

[JarrowClaret]

There are some very constructive criticisms of Foster on this post and can accept them. I think I probably am over sympathetic for the guy because I went through some serious mental issues a few years ago but fought through them and have an understanding of what he went through, and I did not have the pressure of keeping 20,000plus fans excited during a match.

What I do find very sad is when our so called supporters in this post state he is "total shite" "absolute ****", "the most ineffective striker they can remember" and " can't pass the ball further than 5 yards"

Some supporters !!

Some utter guff written about him I agree it was clear before his mental health thing he was 1 of our best players in the prem anybody who denies that just have an agenda. since his return though he hasn’t really hit them heights again other than the odd game. His main strengths are his pace and specifically when 1 on1 his finishing. His pace gets negated in the championship as most teams just sit back against us

[ElectroClaret]

He'll get full backing if selected, but you can't stop people having an opinion on him, based on the evidence in front of them.

This.
We can only go off what we've seen from him, which basically isn't much.
Whilst accepting his difficulties re: mental health (which if anyone wasn't sympathetic about that,
then give your head a shake).

But he's never going to be a PL striker as long as he has a hole in his arse, he really isn't.

[bfcmik]

But he's never going to be a PL striker as long as he has a hole in his arse, he really isn't.

One has to wonder why the club employs the people they do when there are posters on here who are far better scouts and coaches.

[JohnMac]

A look at his career record shows he isn't a goalscorer you would use as a main striker

[quoonbeatz]

One has to wonder why the club employs the people they do when there are posters on here who are far better scouts and coaches.

Scouting is redundant these days, all you need to do is look at a player’s Ultimate Team card.

[AfloatinClaret]

One has to wonder why the club employs the people they do when there are posters on here who are far better scouts and coaches.

Legends in their own lunchtimes some of 'em

[GetIntoEm]

He's certainly the best striker we've currently got at the club, if nobody else comes in. If he's in a good place, I'd be happy with him starting.

I think there's a good player in there somewhere, just been inconsistent

[fidelcastro]

One has to wonder why the club employs the people they do when there are posters on here who are far better scouts and coaches.

Or maybe people have watched him for the last 2 and a half seasons and made an informed judgement.

[fidelcastro]

He's certainly the best striker we've currently got at the club, if nobody else comes in. If he's in a good place, I'd be happy with him starting.

I think there's a good player in there somewhere, just been inconsistent

He's actually been very consistently poor.

[GetIntoEm]

He's actually been very consistently poor.

We disagree, I thought he made a positive impact in most of his appearances last season. We looked more dangerous when he was on the pitch

[fidelcastro]

We disagree, I thought he made a positive impact in most of his appearances last season. We looked more dangerous when he was on the pitch

Come off it. He was far from one of our stand out performers last season.

[Bada Bing]

Foster isn't a Championship level striker. He missed several sitters last season. His finishing and running/positioning in and around the box is generally poor. I can only think of a few Burnley strikers that have been as bad as him over the past 35 years.

[mdd2]

Please narrow the time period to the 25 years we have been in the top 44 clubs
We have no idea how good or bad he would have been in the bottom 48 teams which is where we were in the first 10 of those 35 years

[Ric_C]

We've been hearing that there is a good player in Foster for three years now. If we start the premier league campaign with him up top, then we are in big trouble.

[bfcmik]

Or maybe people have watched him for the last 2 and a half seasons and made an informed judgement.

And people like Mike Jackson haven't?

[fidelcastro]

And people like Mike Jackson haven't?

Of course he has, but didn't we pay about 9 million quid for Foster?

Ask yourself whether he's been worth it , thus far.

[Shaggy]

Looking at it from a logical viewpoint. Foster is not at the level required for us. We can’t have passengers in this league.

[bfcmik]

Of course he has, but didn't we pay about 9 million quid for Foster?

Ask yourself whether he's been worth it , thus far.

As a supporter, I agree, I'm not sure he has 'repaid' his transfer fee. But £9m for a striker is peanuts in the PL scheme of things. If we expect 20 goals from a striker in a PL season we would have to be looking in the £50m+ range. Statistics show that attacking players (apart from academy graduates) bought for under £25m do NOT thrive in the PL for the most part. Our record spend is around £20m on a player.

We had been lucky with Barnes, Ings and Vokes, who all cost next to nowt and scored goals. Chris Wood was, I think, our record signing at the time of his £15m move, which was slightly on the low side but still reasonably competitive for a lower end of the PL club at that time and he scored goals. So how do you compare someone who came in with a £9m pricetag several years later? What can you ask of them but effort and, hopefully, a few goals and assists?

[Elizabeth]

As a supporter, I agree, I'm not sure he has 'repaid' his transfer fee. But £9m for a striker is peanuts in the PL scheme of things. If we expect 20 goals from a striker in a PL season we would have to be looking in the £50m+ range. Statistics show that attacking players (apart from academy graduates) bought for under £25m do NOT thrive in the PL for the most part. Our record spend is around £20m on a player.

We had been lucky with Barnes, Ings and Vokes, who all cost next to nowt and scored goals. Chris Wood was, I think, our record signing at the time of his £15m move, which was slightly on the low side but still reasonably competitive for a lower end of the PL club at that time and he scored goals. So how do you compare someone who came in with a £9m pricetag several years later? What can you ask of them but effort and, hopefully, a few goals and assists?

Impossible to argue with this without being irrational. One goal in five games or nearly, in his previous PL season is therefore not a bad return then for the fee.

I suppose our expectations were that he would play more games and be one of those ' finds'.

This hasn't been the case and while it's difficult now to change mindsets I would just be delighted if he showed more physical resilience. Every time he's gone down in the past and not got up more or less straight away it's a case of waiting to see how many months he's going to be out.

[billyhamilton82]

Of course he has, but didn't we pay about 9 million quid for Foster?

Ask yourself whether he's been worth it , thus far.

With an open mind checking the stats.

Last Champ season 24-25 stats:

17 starts - 7 goal contributions (playing majority LW)

Premier season 23-24 stats:

22 starts - 8 goal contributions

Total over last two seasons:

39 starts - 15 goal contributions

Has he been worth the £9 million we paid?

Judging by the above stats - Yes

[Winstonswhite]

I mean stats are how your use them but 600k per goal contribution over 2 and a half years seems a little steep to me!