Broja on for Foster

[Holmechapel]

A club like us can't afford to be wasting 20 Million on a striker who doesn't contribute.

He needs to improve and fast.

Unfortunately we’ve 2 strikers that come under that category.

[fidelcastro]

Unfortunately we’ve 2 strikers that come under that category.

Who is the other one?

[BurnleyFC]

I’m not sure what we’ve bought with Broja.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Been saying this for a few weeks. Needs to find the net with the U 21's

Is that going to get him to put some effort in?

[Enola Gay]

I’m not sure what we’ve bought with Broja.

A dud?

[claretspice]

Foster has done fine for the most part this season, but today he didn't get much service and I'm not sure you could judge him or Broja.

Broja reminds me a bit of Solanke when he first went from Liverpool to Bournemouth. His confidence was rock bottom and he needed building up over a long period of time. We might have to accept he's a 2-3 year project, not the magic bullet for this season, although I'm sure the more football he gets, and with a goal or two, he'll show more.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Foster has done fine for the most part this season, but today he didn't get much service and I'm not sure you could judge him or Broja.

Broja reminds me a bit of Solanke when he first went from Liverpool to Bournemouth. His confidence was rock bottom and he needed building up over a long period of time. We might have to accept he's a 2-3 year project, not the magic bullet for this season, although I'm sure the more football he gets, and with a goal or two, he'll show more.

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense. We are not spending big money on a 2-3 year project.
We needed a striker badly for the present.

[taio]

Flemming should be ahead of Broja

[fidelcastro]

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense. We are not spending big money on a 2-3 year project.
We needed a striker badly for the present.

Indeed. The implication there is that we've spent 20 million on a player to help us get back out of the Championship.

I can't believe that was what he was bought for.

[Jakubclaret]

I find it quite staggering how the tunes being changed from 1 of a good transfer window to 1 that's now stripped bare highlighting the shortcomings. The recruitments come to roost when the talk is about replacing somebody who was supposed to be the marquee signing with a championship striker.

[claretspice]

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense. We are not spending big money on a 2-3 year project.
We needed a striker badly for the present.

Well, firstly, I didn't say Broja as a 2-3 year project was the ideal answer for us. Clearly a striker would could make an immediate impact would have been better. I'm just not sure that's what we've got.

That being said, the hardest thing to find in the game is a striker who is ready made to contribute in the Championship now. I can't think of anyone who it is plausible we would have been able to sign this summer who I'd be confident fits into that bracket. That's just the reality of the economics - the most likely way for us to find a striker who can ultimately score the goals to keep us up is probably to develop that player over a relegation/promotion/survival cycle - as Bournemouth did with Solanke. It'd be nice if there were a more instant fix, but it doesn't appear that we have one.

[taio]

I find it quite staggering how the tunes being changed from 1 of a good transfer window to 1 that's now stripped bare highlighting the shortcomings. The recruitments come to roost when the talk is about replacing somebody who was supposed to be the marquee signing with a championship striker.

We had a good transfer window. Not sure about changing tunes - many people on here recognised the need for an effective striker but at the same time appreciated that it's much easier said that done in the PL. The hardest position to recruit well to at this level.

[The Shire Claret]

Nothing like a 2-1 loss away at a club who finished 3 points off the champions league places to make out like all of our top 4 players are useless

It was a tough task today and Foster was left on his own a lot


Let’s see how we get in against Leeds at home

[Bordeauxclaret]

Well, firstly, I didn't say Broja as a 2-3 year project was the ideal answer for us. Clearly a striker would could make an immediate impact would have been better. I'm just not sure that's what we've got.

That being said, the hardest thing to find in the game is a striker who is ready made to contribute in the Championship now. I can't think of anyone who it is plausible we would have been able to sign this summer who I'd be confident fits into that bracket. That's just the reality of the economics - the most likely way for us to find a striker who can ultimately score the goals to keep us up is probably to develop that player over a relegation/promotion/survival cycle - as Bournemouth did with Solanke. It'd be nice if there were a more instant fix, but it doesn't appear that we have one.

No you said we might have to accept it. Which is also nonsense.

[Jakubclaret]

We had a good transfer window. Not sure about changing tunes - many people on here recognised the need for an effective striker but at the same time appreciated that it's much easier said that done in the PL. The hardest position to recruit well to at this level.

I disagree with that. Other strikers were available within the budget & it's impossible to say how successful they would have become. It's flawed decision making signing unfit strikers & then citing the difficulty with an alternative lack of options. The other poster mentioned similarities with solanke but I see more with Rhian Brewster.

[claretspice]

No you said we might have to accept it. Which is also nonsense.

I said we might have to accept Broja is a 2-3 year project, because he's clearly not operating at the level we need right now and his confidence looks shot and in need of a rebuild to me. Do you think that's nonsense?

[claretspice]

Other strikers were available within the budget"

Who?

[taio]

I disagree with that. Other strikers were available within the budget & it's impossible to say how successful they would have become. It's flawed decision making signing unfit strikers & then citing the difficulty with an alternative lack of options. The other poster mentioned similarities with solanke but I see more with Rhian Brewster.

It's still the hardest position to recruit to in the PL

[Bordeauxclaret]

I said we might have to accept Broja is a 2-3 year project, because he's clearly not operating at the level we need right now and his confidence looks shot and in need of a rebuild to me. Do you think that's nonsense?

Yes

[helmclaret]

I think that’s the least interested I’ve seen a Burnley player look in a game. Twice Cullen and Walker had a go at him for not showing for the ball.

[Jakubclaret]

Who?

As a straight fee & including wages? Bear in mind I wouldn't call it peanuts £15/20m is quite substantial. I don't believe for that figure other targets weren't achievable.

[blatherwickstattoos]

I think that’s the least interested I’ve seen a Burnley player look in a game. Twice Cullen and Walker had a go at him for not showing for the ball.

Paul Stewart 1994

[Jakubclaret]

It's still the hardest position to recruit to in the PL

It is it's a hard league to compete in. That's what we are dealing with. With an excuse mindset we might as well not have bothered getting promoted in the first place. Signing somebody who's unfit with an horrendous injury record just isn't a smart thing to do in any shape or form.

[helmclaret]

Before he came on loan in 1995?

[taio]

It is it's a hard league to compete in. That's what we are dealing with. With an excuse mindset we might as well not have bothered getting promoted in the first place. Signing somebody who's unfit with an horrendous injury record just isn't a smart thing to do in any shape or form.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have big doubts about the signing of Broja

[ElectroClaret]

I said we might have to accept Broja is a 2-3 year project, because he's clearly not operating at the level we need right now and his confidence looks shot and in need of a rebuild to me. Do you think that's nonsense?

2-3 years?
If he looks this disinterested playing for us in the PL, he's hardly going to be enthused about turning out for us in the Championship should we go down is he?

SP needs to nip this in the bud and sort it out.

[Jakubclaret]

For the avoidance of doubt, I have big doubts about the signing of Broja

The thing is did we have to go down that road to entertain them doubts?

[claretspice]

Yes

So you think Broja is a plug-and-play, Premier League ready striker?

Fair enough. Doesn't seem particularly compatible with a record of 18 games across two seasons on loan at Fulham and Everton in the last two years, with no goals scored in either. Personally, I think it was always unlikely he'd be a striker to hit the ground running (even if I think there's a player in there). He looks like he needs a lot of TLC to me.

[claretspice]

2-3 years?
If he looks this disinterested playing for us in the PL, he's hardly going to be enthused about turning out for us in the Championship should we go down is he?

SP needs to nip this in the bud and sort it out.

A player very low on confidence, and one that is disinterested, is very hard to distinguish. Think i'd be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[willsclarets]

We all ideally wanted a striker who could come in and do the business immediately. The reality is, Broja was never going to be that guy. He's had a rough few years and we've bought the player he "might be". We're going to have to be patient with him, and passing judgement on a handful of appearances probably isn't fair.

The problem is getting him to the point where he's at his best where he isn't compromising our ability to score goals. Flemming arguably should be our no.1 striker, or at least 1st back up or option off the bench.

Broja should be ripping it up in training to the point where Parker has no choice but to play him. It's hard to believe that's where we are atm.

[scouseclaret]

I’m not sure what we’ve bought with Broja.

I think we bought him to try and make Foster look good.

[Papabendi]

Purely on the evidence so far, Broja is a big worry. And a position we could ill afford to get wrong for the amount of money paid.

[Bordeauxclaret]

So you think Broja is a plug-and-play, Premier League ready striker?

Fair enough. Doesn't seem particularly compatible with a record of 18 games across two seasons on loan at Fulham and Everton in the last two years, with no goals scored in either. Personally, I think it was always unlikely he'd be a striker to hit the ground running (even if I think there's a player in there). He looks like he needs a lot of TLC to me.

I think it’s nonsense that as a club we are signing anyone on a 2-3 year project.
I don’t think anyone, board, management or fans think that is a plan anymore.


I don’t think he’s a “plug and play either” no. But that’s a different argument. However we’ve signed him to be just that.

[claretspice]

I think it’s nonsense that as a club we are signing anyone on a 2-3 year project.
I don’t think anyone, board, management or fans think that is a plan anymore.


I don’t think he’s a “plug and play either” no. But that’s a different argument.

So you accept we've spent money on a player who was unlikely to be "plug and play". So by definition, you accept we've spent the money on someone who was always likely to be a more medium term project?

[AmbleClaret]

Might as well have signed Fofana.

[Bordeauxclaret]

So you accept we've spent money on a player who was unlikely to be "plug and play". So by definition, you accept we've spent the money on someone who was always likely to be a more medium term project?

Edit - I don’t think he’s anywhere near. But it’s nonsense to suggest we accept it’s a 2-3 year project.

I don’t think fans accept that.
I don’t think the management advert that.
I’m almost certain the Board don’t plan or accept that.

[Ampth7]

I think we bought him to try and make Foster look good.

Well, if that’s the case, he’s still not doing a very good job!

[The Shire Claret]

Good Job we didn’t Spend 150 million on Isak Jeez

[JohnDearyMe]

Purely on the evidence so far, Broja is a big worry. And a position we could ill afford to get wrong for the amount of money paid.

For someone who we've bought for a club record fee and who hasn't scored a goal for a few years, at an absolute minimum I thought he'd be putting in a real shift. Unfortunately he's giving the distinct impression that he's not that bothered to date. Hopefully he can demonstrate otherwise quickly

[warksclaret]

Got excited when we bought him, and can except he is rusty and not sharpe, but at least show you care. HE is making Foster look good and by no means was Foster good today

[claretspice]

Edit - I don’t think he’s anywhere near. But it’s nonsense to suggest we accept it’s a 2-3 year project.

I don’t think fans accept that.
I don’t think the management advert that.
I’m almost certain the Board don’t plan or accept that.

You either think the board and management bought someone with their eyes open to the fact he was unlikely to be an immediate answer, or think they made a mistake in believing he'd settle quicker than now looks likely. Parker has essentially said he'll need a considerable amount of time to realise his potential with us. As you say, he's currently looking some way short, but given his record I think that's primarily down to confidence and that takes time to mend.

Incidentally, I don't think he was a record fee or anything close from what I've read, and that may support the fact he's something of a project.

[Bordeauxclaret]

You either think the board and management bought someone with their eyes open to the fact he was unlikely to be an immediate answer, or think they made a mistake in believing he'd settle quicker than now looks likely. As you say, he's currently looking some way short, but given his record I think that's primarily down to confidence and that takes time to mend.

Yes I think he’s short.

To go back to my original point, it’s nonsense that anyone accepts, or should accept, it’s a 2-3 year project.
We don’t sign players for that.

[claretspice]

Yes I think he’s short.

To go back to my original point, it’s nonsense that anyone accepts, or should accept, it’s a 2-3 year project.
We don’t sign players for that.

I'm not sure you have any basis to be so definitive, but there we must leave it.

[KRBFC]

Foster and Ekdal couldn’t get a kick last season in the Championship, now they’re automatic starters when fit.

No chance of surviving with a striker as bad as Foster starting games. Technique of a League One player and that’s being kind.

[Elizabeth]

It's almost like Broja doesn't want to go full pelt because he is scared he will break down

[Casper2]

At least Jutkiewicz give his best

[Tricky Trevor]

Can anyone tell me what Tchauona brings ?

It would help if we would give him the ball. Everything goes left through Jayden Anthony or Foster.

[dvalley69]

It would help if we would give him the ball. Everything goes left through Jayden Anthony or Foster.

Or maybe even the players know it's not worth giving it to him, and out left is always our best option!!

[ClaretLoup]

I think I've got the answer to our striker problems.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos. He scored a brace today for Motherwell vs Celtic and has scored 8 goals in 19 starts.

Even he is no good, think of all the fun we will have listening to match commentators trying to get their chops round his name.

We could send Broja to Dundee for rehabilitation to make space.

[willsclarets]

It's almost like Broja doesn't want to go full pelt because he is scared he will break down

This has crossed my mind a few times watching him. In his time at Southampton in particular he ran really aggressively with and without the ball. It was obviously a part of the reason for his success. I've certainly not seen an appetite from him to do that here yet. The idea he just can't be bothered is much less convincing to me than a player who is low on confidence and doesn't trust his body.