Firstly, I’ll just put it out there straight away that I think, if Ashley Barnes is struggling with his groin, as much as I’d being suggested, then right now is the time he should have his operation to get it sorted. I’m a huge advocate of the Wood-Barnes partnership, but right now, a break is needed.

Ash started the season in blistering form, but following his early goals against Saints, Arsenal and Wolves, we’ve certainly not seen the same intensity in his play, despite putting on the scoresheet a further two times. We have four very tough games, An F.A cup fourth round an a ‘winter break’ weekend ahead...it’s a six week window for him to get under the knife and back on the road to full fitness ahead of the run-in.

I do think right now though, Jay would be a much better option, played in a 4-4-1-1 with Wood. He has had to be so patient this season and there is a strong argument that he should have played more minutes than he has. I feel he is growing into the side well and his obvious strengths of hold-up, stretching play and being tidy in possession are attributes that we’ve been recently lacking.

He’s a very intelligent footballer and having him in the side, helps our more creative players (Dwight McNeil, for example), see more of the ball.

I’d be very interested to see how many clear-cut chances Jay has had, because his conversion rate seems pretty good. I know he has three of his goals in the two cup competitions, but he does seem to be taking a good proportion of the few chances that come his way.

Anyway, a tough month ahead and I for one would be in favour of us trying a few different things. Give Jay his chance: he merits it.

Jay has been much more suited to coming off the bench than starting, and today was a League 1 side.

If he starts in the Prem we need to keep the ball on the ground much more.

Yes deserves to start next.

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:12 pm

Firstly, I’ll just put it out there straight away that I think, if Ashley Barnes struggling with his groin, as much as I’d being suggested, then right now is the time he should have his operation to get it sorted. I’m a huge advocate of the Wood-Barnes partnership, but right now, a break is needed.

Ash started the season in blistering form, but following his early goals against Saints, Arsenal and Wolves, we’ve certainly not seen the same intensity in his play, despite putting on the scoresheet a further two times. We have four very tough games, An F.A cup fourth round an a ‘winter break’ weekend ahead...it’s a six week window for him to get under the knife and back on the road to full fitness ahead of the run-in.

I do think right now though, Jay would be a much better option, played in a 4-4-1-1 with Wood. He has had to be so patient this season and there is a strong argument that he should have played more minutes than he has. I feel he is growing into the side well and his obvious strengths of hold-up, stretching play and being tidy in possession are attributes that we’ve been recently lacking.

He’s a very intelligent footballer and having him in the side, helps our more creative players (Dwight McNeil, for example), see more of the ball.

I’d be very interested to see how many clear-cut chances Jay has had, because his conversion rate seems pretty good. I know he has three of his goals in the two cup competitions, but he does seem to be taking a good proportion of the few chances that come his way.

Anyway, a tough month ahead and I for one would be in favour of us trying a few different things. Give Jay his chance: he merits it.

Your post makes a lot of sense,Barnes definitely hasn't looked himself for a couple of months,and jay's goals today will have given him a fillip,hopefully Jay's presence up front will enable us to play the ball to feet more,as when the Wood/Barnes combo play together we go long as a matter of course.

I'm amazed he didn't start against Villa tbh. Made a massive difference when he came on, simply by holding the ball and bringing others into play. I'm not a huge Barnes fan, I think having him up there forces us into playing a certain way. If he's injured give the lad a break.

He has been nowhere near good enough in the league. Especially when starting. Has been better off the bench. And is a reasonable option from there.

But he isnt quick enough, clinical enough or skilful enough for us to rely on him as a first choice starter in this league.

I think he was a signing to appease the fans. And definitely dont think he is the future.

Hope he proves me wrong. Hes a good lad, who has been a very good player and unfortunate with rotten injuries.

Shame about JBG as he and Jay definitely improved us.

I agree with this.

John.

Jay is twice the footballer of Wood or Barnes in everything apart from instinct goal scoring.
He reads the game better, first touch better, bringing others into play better.

Barnes and Wood score plenty of goals for us, mainly headers or first time shots. But they put the team under a lot of pressure when not holding the ball up and Barnes not winning his cheap free kicks.

Good player but never mom today. I jokingly said to my Mrs that our fans would give it jay because he scored and so it proved. Hendrick and Lennon much more worthy IMO.

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:48 pm

He has been nowhere near good enough in the league. Especially when starting. Has been better off the bench. And is a reasonable option from there.

But he isnt quick enough, clinical enough or skilful enough for us to rely on him as a first choice starter in this league.

I think he was a signing to appease the fans. And definitely dont think he is the future.

Hope he proves me wrong. Hes a good lad, who has been a very good player and unfortunate with rotten injuries.

Our most skilful striker by a distance.

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:12 pm

Our most skilful striker by a distance.

The definition of faint praise

As Factual Frank says at post 2, you gotta bear in mind today was against a League 1 side.

JR is nowhere near the required standard in the PL.
(Go on lad, prove me wrong and get a hat trick at Stamford Bridge.)

I alluded to that in my opening post but then I also recall the goals against Chelsea, Villa, Bournemouth etc where he has taken chances from very few opportunities created.

Barnes has been one of my favourite players but recently, guessing down to the injury, might as well have been in the stands as he has contributed nothing

Barnes, as of late, hasn't been the required standard in the PL either
but JR does offer us a little more than Barnes so I think he should start.
Him and McNeil should play just behind Wood and then possibly three in midfield.
4 at the back and Pope.
Not sure who the three in midfield should be. Depends on who we are playing.

Unless we change/buy the personnel and change the formation and system, then Rodders is mostly going to be an also ran.

Pope

Bardsley Tarkowski Mee Taylor

Lennon Hendrick Westwood

Rodriguez McNeil

Wood

With Jay up there it forces us to play it on the deck a bit more, which suits McNeils game as well.

ClaretAndJew wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:54 pm

Pope

Bardsley Tarkowski Mee Taylor

Lennon Hendrick Westwood

Rodriguez McNeil

Wood

Lennon in centre mid?

I would look at playing McNeil CAM which adds extra numbers to the middle to help Cork/Westwood and Jay from the left.

The left role would be relatively narrow though, more an inside forward, with McNeil drifting to the left to still utilise his exceptional crossing.

The link up play between Taylor, McNeil And Jay (our best footballers) would get us back to playing on the deck. McNeil would also get balls in from the right with Jay and Wood to aim at (Jay targeting the smaller full back).

What we would likely need for this is a CM who can quickly thread balls into McNeil on the deck when he finds the space.

Pope
NEW Tark Mee Taylor
Hendrick/JBG Westwood/Cork NEW Jay Rod
McNeil
Wood

4-4-1-1 in defence, 4-2-3-1 in attack. Jay and McNeil can change positions if something new is needed, too.

Arguably our best football under Dyche came with Ings playing that role in the hole behind Vokes or Hendrick behind Wood.

Rodriguez does something really well that we've lacked and that's simply dropping deep and making runs from deep.

It could really help us in games where we struggle with isolated forwards.

Just need the midfield to link up with him better.

Getting better with every match. Be nice if he gets a run of games

Seems to be looking a lot leaner and fitter the last month.

Played very well yesterday and i agree its time for Ash to have his op

Good post. Jay needs regular starts, perhaps then he can start to form a partnership with Wood. Technically a much better player than Barnes and that's something we should be working on. Knowing how Dyche likes his players 100% fit I'm suprised he's persisted with Barnes. I like Barnes but to be on his game he has to be totally fit.

I think Jay has a lot more to offer and is too classy to leave out. I think SD is realising this at present

As others have said JayRod needs a run of games. He was very poor when he had his chance at Everton. However he potentially gives us more options/flexibility than Barnes and I think given time Wood and JayRod would become a better pairing.

If even Dyche isn't getting the praise he deserves from some on this board, Jay isn't likely to, is he ?

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:42 am

I would look at playing McNeil CAM which adds extra numbers to the middle to help Cork/Westwood and Jay from the left.

The left role would be relatively narrow though, more an inside forward, with McNeil drifting to the left to still utilise his exceptional crossing.

The link up play between Taylor, McNeil And Jay (our best footballers) would get us back to playing on the deck. McNeil would also get balls in from the right with Jay and Wood to aim at (Jay targeting the smaller full back).

What we would likely need for this is a CM who can quickly thread balls into McNeil on the deck when he finds the space.

Pope
NEW Tark Mee Taylor
Hendrick/JBG Westwood/Cork NEW Jay Rod
McNeil
Wood

4-4-1-1 in defence, 4-2-3-1 in attack. Jay and McNeil can change positions if something new is needed, too.

Arguably our best football under Dyche came with Ings playing that role in the hole behind Vokes or Hendrick behind Wood.

I have been thinking the same, McNeil could be a decent attacking mid.

Can’t resist a bit of Champ Man so here we go...

Pope

Bardsley Tarkowski Mee Taylor

Westwood Cork

Lennon Rodriguez McNeill

Wood

Suppose this could also function as a 4-4-2 but our main aim has got to be to get McNeill in the game and this would give him the opportunity to get into more central areas where he can affect the game. Taylor would be restricted from getting forward as much. Swap JBG for Lennon if he’s fit.

There’s a decent amount of pace and creativity in and around Wood which we’ve been missing.

Jay is back! I can see him ending the season as our top scorer.

I'm a massive Rodriguez fan, and not just because he's from the area, as tends to be the lazy rebuffal when someone disagrees.

He's got a super first touch when he's on it, and can go in both directions - dropping into midfield and making last man runs as his two goals yesterday proved. He's also very good at playing a wide role, as shown by his excellent second half performance at Villa Park earlier in the season.

I'd love to see him starting the next few games from an inside left role, which gives McNeil more freedom to come inside.

Would like to see Jay and Vydra up front, JBG and McNeil out wide. Play to the feet instead of lumping it up. Wouldn’t happen mind.

I think JRod is better from the bench and I’m not sure he is a PL starter. He would be excellent in the Championship though. He is just different to our other strikers.

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:19 pm

Jay has been much more suited to coming off the bench than starting, and today was a League 1 side.

If he starts in the Prem we need to keep the ball on the ground much more.

He’s very much been more effective coming on during games