Are we playing him in the best position and is he offering enough often enough ?

No and no.

Arfield performances in that position have been much better this season and Hendrick would offer something where Arfield is. They switched positions to great affect at Goodison - unsure why Dyche hasn't used them the other way around more often.

Rileybobs wrote:No and no.

A five man midfield is the right set up, I’m just not convinced that Hendrick is the man to link midfield to attack.

His is a position that I’d be looking to bring in a reinforcement for but that’s not to say that I don’t think that Hendrick has a valuable role to play.

DCWat wrote:A five man midfield is the right set up, I’m just not convinced that Hendrick is the man to link midfield to attack.

His is a position that I’d be looking to bring in a reinforcement for but that’s not to say that I don’t think that Hendrick has a valuable role to play.

I like Hendrick as a player but he’s not got the craft and speed of thought as Cork and Defour. He’s good at running with the ball and is very athletic but looks lost playing in the hole at times. He’s still got a big part to play but if we are to continue playing this system then I think the obvious upgrades we need to make in January are a ‘number 10’ and someone to play on the left flank.

I also agree with the poster who said that Arfield has produced the best performances in that position this season.

Left flank?

Biggest problem we have is we don't score enough goals. Maybe Nakhi Wells will be the missing link?

We could always sign Grant Hanley if we need the missing link

Rileybobs wrote:No and no.

Spot on.

A young Hoolahan type, or Vydra or just as he scores that Maddison kid at Norwich. are 3 id look at playing in the 10/hole role.

I think Brady could play there if push came to shove but he needed out wide...

If we persist with the 4-2-3-1 then I think it a position we need to look at the most.

DCWat wrote:Left flank?

Yes, an upgrade on Arfield.

Unfortunate with Woody going off early and Sam not on the bench. I like Ashley's workrate but he is no good when isolated. He is okay at winning a ball in the air but yesterday set the tone by throwing himself to the ground on the first challenge.
He reminded me of a kitten, trying to catch a feather toy, leaping around with enthusiasm but never getting near anything.

Hendrick was rarely in a position to support him but let's not lose sight of the quality of the opposition. Is he the right man for the position? Possibly no but I don't think we have much choice at the moment.

I thought maybe Defour before the season began but now I'm not sure he would offer anything different.

Heaton's Gloves wrote:Biggest problem we have is we don't score enough goals. Maybe Nakhi Wells will be the missing link?

A problem at the end of last season and not sufficiently dealt with in ' the window'. Another two and a half months with our current striker options could prove to be costly over the season.

Not sure Hendrick is fully fit at the moment

Not long ago, we had o e player for every position. Now we can discuss changes!
Progress!

Do we think the team could be improved by replacing Hendrick and Brady is very frustrating? BBC Commentary yesterday said "Burnley could do with seeing more of Jeff Hendrick in the second half. The midfielder had just eight touches in 45 minutes".
It feels to me like something that needs tweaking.

Rileybobs wrote:No and no.

Agree totally. I’d have Arfield there before Hendrick.

For me, Hendrick, Defour & Cork have to play...
So to get Hendrick involved more perhaps we play more of a 4-3-3 with Cork sitting more (the Makalele role @ Chelsea) with Hendrick & Defour being more box to box... However the wide players would have to tuck a bit more as inside forwards; would definitely suit JBG.
Full backs making runs on the overlaps

CoolClaret wrote:For me, Hendrick, Defour & Cork have to play...

Never understood this kind of logic, just because he was expensive doesn't mean he has to play if he isn't performing. For me, I'd play Arfield in front of Defour and Cork until we can sign an improvement there - Hendrick can fight to win a place back.

Don't think we need another left sided player urgently, we just need to stop playing Brady out of position on the right.

deanothedino wrote:Never understood this kind of logic, just because he was expensive doesn't mean he has to play if he isn't performing. For me, I'd play Arfield in front of Defour and Cork until we can sign an improvement there - Hendrick can fight to win a place back.

Don't think we need another left sided player urgently, we just need to stop playing Brady out of position on the right.

Purely because for me, he has that physicality which we can lack at times and can carry the ball well with clever link up play around the area.

I agree to a point but it was Brady on the right that put through that excellent delivery to Wood @ Spurs & also the crossfield pass to Ward @ Goodison...

OrientMascot wrote:Agree totally. I’d have Arfield there before Hendrick.

Scott arfield knows what's required!

CoolClaret wrote:I agree to a point but it was Brady on the right that put through that excellent delivery to Wood @ Spurs & also the crossfield pass to Ward @ Goodison...

Both balls from nearer the half way line than the goal line though, struggles to get the ball in good areas from an advanced position from the right.

Hendrick should play narrow on the right, with Arfield in the hole.

Hendrick Defour Cork Brady
------Arfield
-----------Wood

We really need an upgrade on Scotty and though Hendrick "ok" I really do wonder if he ever rises above mediocre in the vast majority of his performances .Yes he scored a goal recently but I'm never quite sure what he provides

I posted about this the other week. Hendrick just doesn't suit that position I'm afraid and it's crucial in getting us forwards. I think 451 is the right system, I just don't think either are the "right" player.

I prefer Arfield playing there, but his final ball inside can be weak. In January we need a more attacking threat in that position who can offer goals and assists. We're still trying to find the balance but I don't think we are far off. Hendrick is going to struggle for a position unless he plays as a flat CM imo.

Agree with claretandy. Hendrick should compete with JBG for right midfield position. If I were SD then this lineup would be my objective.

.....................Defour....Cork
JBG/Hendrick......................Brady
.................Wells
.................................Wood

boyyanno wrote:I posted about this the other week. Hendrick just doesn't suit that position I'm afraid and it's crucial in getting us forwards. I think 451 is the right system, I just don't think either are the "right" player.

I prefer Arfield playing there, but his final ball inside can be weak. In January we need a more attacking threat in that position who can offer goals and assists. We're still trying to find the balance but I don't think we are far off. Hendrick is going to struggle for a position unless he plays as a flat CM imo.

Agree. Hendrick is an athletic box to box midfielder, much better facing the opposition goal than with his back to it. His great strength is ability to drive forwards with the ball at good pace, and his forwarding passing.

If we played with a truly attacking wide player whose main role was to get alongside and beyond the main striker and attack the space in behind (a Tom Ince/Aaron Lennon type for example), then Hendrick as the third central midfielder could be fantastic - he could drift into the space vacated by that attacker in both attack and defence, and generally play a bit deeper to utilise his strengths. But we're really playing a 4-4-1-1, not a 4-3-3, and as a consequence Hendrick is spending too much time playing too far forwards.

That being said, he's also extremely good at pressing the ball and one thing he is doing is helping us get up the pitch away by pressing high, almost as a second striker.

Against Newcastle, I'd probably start with Arfield in behind Wood or Vokes and JBG and Brady wide, but I'd be sorely tempted to consider Hendrick in the second central midfield position alongside Defour or Cork in order to give us a more dynamic player capable of breaking forward from deep to help beat a stubborn defensive line. That would be a massive call because of how good Cork and Defour have been, but its worth consideration.

The problem is that you need intelligence to play that role, you need to read the game, drop back when needed and be there to receive the ball when in attack.

You also need to be a good passer.

Hendrick and Arfield are neither. Not intelligent players, not good passers.

I actually think Hendrick would be more suited replacing either Cork or Defour at home with someone better playing further up.

I think people are being too harsh.
The problem with both Hendrick and Scotty is they are inconsistent. They can both play the role as Hendricks goal at Everton and Scottys goal at Anfield shows, but neither do that often enough. It's hard to select a starting XI when one of your main men is hit and miss.
My biggest issue this season is the lack of support Wood gets in too many games. I know it's probably part of the plan to be cautious, but the caution is winning us draws, and costing us wins.
It's a fine balance, but when we get it right we are a very good team.

I'd rather recall Westwood to partner Cork as the holding two and push Defour up into the Hendrick role. He's intelligent, can pick a sublime pass, and shoot.

CharlieinNewMexico wrote:I'd rather recall Westwood to partner Cork as the holding two and push Defour up into the Hendrick role. He's intelligent, can pick a sublime pass, and shoot.

The only problem being Defour wouldn't see as much of the ball and wouldn't be dictating the tempo of our attacks (in our current formation) like his is now.

Or we can play a 433 with 3 genuine CM's and play our wingers higher up. Maybe Wells on the right? Cork and Defour could then play where they are and Hendrick could press and also defensively fill in for Wells as he is more attacking so maybe wouldn't get back as much down the right. Hendrick could have more of a roaming role so he can pick the ball up, and drive from deep. When we get all 3 central midfielders in the correct position we will be a very good team.

We miss him when he doesn't play.

Will give him the confidence I needs to start performing better. I really hope he doesn't get injured playing for Ireland.

On general play there are probably still question marks about this position for him, especially at home where space is less, but he is getting in good goal scoring positions, supporting the front man well, and getting a nice habit of taking his chances when they come, which aint a bad thing to do.

He was actually quite poor again tonight aside from the goal.

A Newcastle supporter on another forum I frequent was really impressed with Hendrick tonight. I thought he did well and was our most dangerous player.

One of my favourite current Burnley players, he was rank bad tonight but won us the game.

He got forwards a lot more than he has recently and probably found the ball in better positions. That being said he was offside on numerous good opportunities and also gave the ball away a few times. I don't doubt him as a player, just his suitability to the position. Still won the game for us today, but had he not scored I would have been disappointed with his preformance personally.

Hendrick along with Brady poor tonight

If he had missed would have summed up his game today.

KRBFC wrote:One of my favourite current Burnley players, he was rank bad tonight but won us the game.

Just about sums you up, clueless.

Hendrick = Marmite

CFS wrote:If he had missed would have summed up his game today.

But he didn't; so sums up our season so far Mr Cockwomble

IAmAClaret wrote:Just about sums you up, clueless.

TBH he’s not the only one who thought he was poor tonight. Aside from
The goal I didn’t see what he offered. IMO it was a bit of an off night for him. He’s usually one of our better performers

can't wait until all our poor players start playing well

IAmAClaret wrote:Just about sums you up, clueless.

Really? Id say you are the clueless one judging by the scores given from other posters on the player rating thread.

Was very poor at times tonight but a good finish and crucial goal.

He was awful at times tonight, I was hoping we'd take him off right about the time he knocked it into the net.

Really good first half - was in behind them twice in the first 5 minutes - and looked to be playing with a bit more aggression and further forward. Second half I thought he faded a bit and was more hit and miss. Got in some good positions and it paid off though.