Gloves. In May. Seriously? Get shut

Some decent touches when coming on on games
Some players take a season to "get" Seans methods.
Ash Westwood and Charlie Taylor being two vastly improved this season.Matyi will be a top player for us next year

Well it has certainly been a bit of a mystery to me why he hasn't had more starts, especially when we were playing something I didn't recognise in early season.

But having seen him over the season I do think there is a good player in there... point taken about the gloves though CFC

Even more bizarre than that what about when Stanislav came on for Bournemouth away this season when it was really hot in the away end/side? Now that was really funny I thought

Stans a Londoner .We all know about Southern softies.

I think he should start the last game, dare I say it, probably at the expense of Barnes.

Shown very little when he’s got on the pitch but in fairness hasn’t had much of an opportunity. Certainly hasn’t shown enough to get a place above Barnes n Wood

Gloves in May aren’t something any sane person could justify

jdrobbo wrote:I think he should start the last game, dare I say it, probably at the expense of Barnes.

Wood.

I’m losing patience with Wood. He’s decent in front of goal but his complete lack of mobility and frequent loose touches when it matters are beginning to frustrate.

I would definitely start him next week. We need to have seen him before writing him off.

He has more energy than the other two. And his touch to 'win' a penalty last night was great.

He does seem to have a trickiness to his play and movement. I think with more game time to shake off the rust and build the confidence back up, he could be a real asset next season.

jdrobbo wrote:I think he should start the last game, dare I say it, probably at the expense of Barnes.

I'm a big fan of Vydra and hope he's with us next season.
However there's pros and cons to this. Arsenal don't like the long direct ball to their defence, which would suit Barnes and Wood.

So tactically, it's best we start with Barnes and Wood upfront, but if we're wanting to give him a start for morale purposes as we're safe, and let him show what he can do, then I'd agree it's a good move.

I would have started him last night. We are playing Arsenal next weekend who are shocking from set pieces, Wood and Crouch aerial bombardment time lol

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Gloves. In May. Seriously? Get shut

In fairness he's spent so much time on the bench during the winter that he forgot to take them off when he was suddenly given the chance to get on the pitch.

Wood and Barnes have been poor for a while now with glimpses of good play that usually results in goals.

But over 90 minutes they're often spectators. No pace and don't like competing for headers. They try to con the ref buying free kicks but we need more. Two up front should be far more dangerous.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Wood and Barnes have been poor for a while now with glimpses of good play that usually results in goals.

But over 90 minutes they're often spectators. No pace and don't like competing for headers. They try to con the ref buying free kicks but we need more. Two up front should be far more dangerous.

Which is what Wood and Barnes is.

FactualFrank wrote:Which is what Wood and Barnes is.

Glad you're happy with them.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Glad you're happy with them.

They've not done badly in 2019. Away to City and away to Everton is hardly enough games to start doubting them.

Arsenal don't like the ball long and direct, as we're known to play. Therefore for this game, Wood and Barnes makes sense. But you're not alone in ignoring the opposition when considering our best lineup for an upcoming game.

With due respect Frank you don't watch any games live do you?
You only see what producers want you to see.

Quickenthetempo wrote:With due respect Frank you don't watch any games live do you?
You only see what producers want you to see.

Nice try. Of course I watch live games, as you well know. I've been on a few home games this season and watch the others on stream or Sky. Like I say, you're not alone in ignoring the opposition when thinking who best to start for us.

To say Barnes or Wood doesn't like going in for headers and that Barnes and Wood together isn't two up top, is crackers. And if anything - if Vydra played instead of Barnes/Wood, he would drop back! Making it even less likely there to be two upfront.

Barnes and Wood don't like going for headers? Since when?

Quickenthetempo wrote:With due respect Frank you don't watch any games live do you?
You only see what producers want you to see.

Obviously you don't know how many goals they've got between them since they started to play together. One of the best partnerships in the prem based on goals.

He needs a full 3 or 4 games run to show what he can do

im confident he could keep out 1 of either barnes or wood

Spijed wrote:Obviously you don't know how many goals they've got between them since they started to play together. One of the best partnerships in the prem based on goals.

The goal scoring from both is fine. It's the all round play that needs to improve.
Why is our defence under so much pressure all the time?

FactualFrank wrote:Nice try. Of course I watch live games, as you well know. I've been on a few home games this season and watch the others on stream or Sky. Like I say, you're not alone in ignoring the opposition when thinking who best to start for us.

To say Barnes or Wood doesn't like going in for headers and that Barnes and Wood together isn't two up top, is crackers. And if anything - if Vydra played instead of Barnes/Wood, he would drop back! Making it even less likely there to be two upfront.

Apologies Frank I didn't think you went on anymore after moving away.

theroyaldyche wrote:He needs a full 3 or 4 games run to show what he can do

im confident he could keep out 1 of either barnes or wood

I dont he keeps one of them out but would like him getting more than a rare 5 mins....
He needs to either bulk up or toughen up... he has the skill but he is getting bullied off the ball...

Why are you confident Vydra is better than Wood or Barnes... the combination which has effectively kept us up this year in terms of goals since Christmas ? He has done pretty much nothing to instil this confidence so isn’t it just a case of the old old syndrome that players who are not playing come to be regarded as being better than those that are by virtue of not having their weaknesses on show ?

Quickenthetempo wrote:The goal scoring from both is fine. It's the all round play that needs to improve.
Why is our defence under so much pressure all the time?

Barnes and Wood are very good centre forwards for a club at our level. They suit our style of play to a tee and both have a good goal scoring record over the past couple of seasons.

They both have good hold up play. The notion that Wood is immobile is ludicrous, he runs the channels very well. Barnes less so but he harasses defenders for 90 minutes.

I’d like to see Vydra be more of an option next season as there’s not much competition for the front two and it would also be nice to mix up our play and maybe go with someone in the number 10 role on occasions.

Blaming the pressure that our defenders come up against on Barnes and Wood is about as daft as it gets though. Our lack of possession is partly through choice and partly because we are almost always outnumbered in midfield. And I don’t buy that our defence are under so much pressure all the time, even against Man City we were comfortable for large periods of the game.

When we signed him it was with a view to having a Defour/Cork midfield with JBG, Brady and Lennon as wide players - it’s easy to see the evolution that SD wanted to go towards. Unfortunately for Vydra, injuries to others caused us to have to go back to basics and not try and play more fluid skilful football that would suit him.

I predict that SD will try and improve us in the middle in the summer and then he’s back in play.

He almost signed for Leeds prior to joining us - I hear he switched as we offered more money. So I hope they don't come back in for him in the summer, as he'd do well for them I feel.

Rick_Muller wrote:When we signed him it was with a view to having a Defour/Cork midfield with JBG, Brady and Lennon as wide players - it’s easy to see the evolution that SD wanted to go towards. Unfortunately for Vydra, injuries to others caused us to have to go back to basics and not try and play more fluid skilful football that would suit him.

I predict that SD will try and improve us in the middle in the summer and then he’s back in play.

This! Just this...

We need to sort out our central midfield and get some new blood in there if we’re to see the best of Vydra. I hope we can do it- there should be a very good player still wanting to prove himself with us.

scouseclaret wrote:He’s decent in front of goal

His recent performances when through one on one suggest otherwise. I actually think he has a decent first touch. But still gives it away constantly. Frustrates me more than any other Burnley player I can remember

He wins freekixks and pens, in dangerous spots very quick. Keep him.

Rileybobs wrote:Barnes and Wood are very good centre forwards for a club at our level. They suit our style of play to a tee and both have a good goal scoring record over the past couple of seasons.

They both have good hold up play. The notion that Wood is immobile is ludicrous, he runs the channels very well. Barnes less so but he harasses defenders for 90 minutes.

I’d like to see Vydra be more of an option next season as there’s not much competition for the front two and it would also be nice to mix up our play and maybe go with someone in the number 10 role on occasions.

Blaming the pressure that our defenders come up against on Barnes and Wood is about as daft as it gets though. Our lack of possession is partly through choice and partly because we are almost always outnumbered in midfield. And I don’t buy that our defence are under so much pressure all the time, even against Man City we were comfortable for large periods of the game.

You do realise you have to sacrifice having the 3rd central midfielder to have the 2nd striker don't you?
Two up front should ensure the ball sticks up top more than it doesn't. It's not the case with this particular partnership and you have to question whether it's worth the rest of team struggling more?

It has paid off with goals scored but team performance suffers.

There's one of those height gauges (like at Alton Towers) in the dressing room.
If you can walk under it, you don't get on.

Quickenthetempo wrote:You do realise you have to sacrifice having the 3rd central midfielder to have the 2nd striker don't you?
Two up front should ensure the ball sticks up top more than it doesn't. It's not the case with this particular partnership and you have to question whether it's worth the rest of team struggling more?

It has paid off with goals scored but team performance suffers.

The ball does stick up top. Both Barnes and Wood hold the ball well. Our whole game revolves around getting the ball quickly into the front two to enable us to build attacks in the final third. If we want to play a more possession-based game playing the ball between the lines then it’s the midfield, and in some respect the defence which is lacking. I completely fail to see how the defence coming under pressure, which isn’t as much as you claim, is the fault of the strikers.

dougcollins wrote:There's one of those height gauges (like at Alton Towers) in the dressing room.
If you can walk under it, you don't get on.

Interesting that we’ve got the 11th tallest squad in the league - behind Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs to name a few.

I'd start him at right back and Tarks in midfield, Crouch in goal cause he's bigger than Heaton so must be better and finally Ian Woan up top on his own

Rileybobs wrote:The ball does stick up top. Both Barnes and Wood hold the ball well. Our whole game revolves around getting the ball quickly into the front two to enable us to build attacks in the final third. If we want to play a more possession-based game playing the ball between the lines then it’s the midfield, and in some respect the defence which is lacking. I completely fail to see how the defence coming under pressure, which isn’t as much as you claim, is the fault of the strikers.

We obviously see the game different.

No worries.

Although I'd like to see more of Vydra, I do agree that Arsenal at home is a game for Barnes & Wood

One of the problems I think was Vydra was getting game time when we were playing so poorly.
Wasn't he up front on his own at West Ham ?
Really don't see that as his most effective role.
I hope as mentioned previously that he gets the opportunity to kick on next season and become a huge asset to the team.

scouseclaret wrote:I’m losing patience with Wood. He’s decent in front of goal but his complete lack of mobility and frequent loose touches when it matters are beginning to frustrate.

Only just now?