Back to his best
Had an excellent game tonight. Close to unplayable

Decent cross for the goal - twice! Never in this world was that a shot at goal

bfcmik wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:15 pm

Decent cross for the goal - twice! Never in this world was that a shot at goal

Don’t care. It’ll do me.

I mentioned it after the Liverpool game, he looks way fitter than I've ever seen him. Still going strong after 90 mins, last season he struggled after 70 mins in most games

Dwight has been lost without Corky alongside him. We saw the difference he makes in the second half tonight.

As we all said months ago, he needed a rest, a month out just to recharge those batteries.
He's had it and looks back to his best, long may it continue.
A lesson to be learned with future younger lads.

Even when he isn’t at his best he’s far better than the rest offensively. People take him for granted that he’s gonna put players on their arse each game. He’s a cut above.

bfcmik wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:15 pm

Decent cross for the goal - twice! Never in this world was that a shot at goal

Didnt do Ronaldinhos career any harm

Thought he was outstanding in the second half. Goal and assist in the same match for the first time in his career.

His goal was like those free kicks over the top and aimed at the corner of the goal. Designed to get a touch on it but if no one does, it is on target and the keeper, having waited for the possible touch, now gas to make up the ground and can't.

There were a fair few people running him down earlier in the season. They're not as quick to be back giving him praise.

He was class in that 2nd half tonight, Cork got the ball to him quicker, and when he's got a full back one on one, he causes them problems.

Any game, as a winger where you score one and make one is class.

Mentioned on the match thread how much better he’s been since his injury rest. A goal and an assist can only boost his confidence. If Chris Wood gets some back as well it’s a double bonus.

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:17 pm

Dwight has been lost without Corky alongside him. We saw the difference he makes in the second half tonight.

On the second half showing it certainly seemed like Cork was the catalyst, only time will tell. In the first half he was defended against with relative ease, shown inside and crowded out of the game. But after the break we got bodies forward which gave him time and space to play in - and we all know what a class act he is when he's given half a chance. With the relatively comfortable position we're now in and an almost full squad to choose from I'd love to see us committing the full backs and central midfielders forward with more frequency. Lets play to the strengths of our best attacking player.

Great to see him back to his best some fantastic runs especially in the 2nd half.

We are very, very lucky to be watching Dwight McNeil playing for us. An absolute class player and a joy to watch. So rarely gives the ball away and notable that this tremendous week of Claret joy has seen him flying down the wing on numerous occasions.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:56 pm

His goal was like those free kicks over the top and aimed at the corner of the goal. Designed to get a touch on it but if no one does, it is on target and the keeper, having waited for the possible touch, now gas to make up the ground and can't.

He kept that ball down phenomenally well, not seen it like that since Ray Walne!

Hes playing as though shackles have been removed from him.

People forget that Dwight is only 21. He is so good and if he keeps developing he will be a top top player.

I am just afraid we might only have one more season from him.

You have to praise the lad he has had two RBs in a row in tatters. Could honestly see him going to Arsenal, Leicester or United in the summer.

Coincidence he looks like he can be arsed again in the final few days of the transfer window?

Another great performance

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:54 pm

There were a fair few people running him down earlier in the season. They're not as quick to be back giving him praise.

He was class in that 2nd half tonight, Cork got the ball to him quicker, and when he's got a full back one on one, he causes them problems.

Any game, as a winger where you score one and make one is class.

Before his rest he was poor, ineffective going forward and losing the ball in dangerous positions, so quite right that people criticised him
Since coming back he's been excellent, long may it continue, and he's getting the praise, it's how life is.

He is the only player that carries the ball and gets us further up the pitch. He was superb in the second half last night culminating with a goal and an assist for the winner. Close between him and Nick for MOM.

Grumps wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:00 am

Before his rest he was poor, ineffective going forward and losing the ball in dangerous positions, so quite right that people criticised him
Since coming back he's been excellent, long may it continue, and he's getting the praise, it's how life is.

He wasn't poor. He was scapegoated.

He has created some great chances that Wood and JGB in particular fluffed. Just results were poor.
One poster on here even claimed Brady was a better option.

He needs to work on his shooting no doubt but what a player. I still don't know how we have got a player that ghosts past other Premier league stars. Some talent that.

Grumps wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:00 am

Before his rest he was poor, ineffective going forward and losing the ball in dangerous positions, so quite right that people criticised him
Since coming back he's been excellent, long may it continue, and he's getting the praise, it's how life is.

If thy were critically analysing his form, that would be fair, however, there were people writing him off as not good enough to play at this level, and that he had been found out. Form is temporary and all that......

He definitely looked to have tailed off at the start of the season and I was one pointing it out - he is right back on form now though.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:56 pm

His goal was like those free kicks over the top and aimed at the corner of the goal. Designed to get a touch on it but if no one does, it is on target and the keeper, having waited for the possible touch, now gas to make up the ground and can't.

Yes credit to Pieters for following in and occupying the keeper and as you say delaying his dive to the left

djemba-djemba wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:48 am

Coincidence he looks like he can be arsed again in the final few days of the transfer window?

And this kind of rubbish is all too typical of some of the posters on this board,, I'm afraid.

I suppose the board will be all smiles again until we go behind at Chelsea*............






*FWIW, I think we'll get a point at least.

He’s starting to defend more effectively now
It’s no good skinning a full back if you then let them overlap and be as effective as you just cos you’ve lost them
He’s getting better at picking up his man
And showed some real pace and determination to track back too
Definitely getting stronger
He’s a big lad too, usually like JBG and Brady the skilful winger types can be a bit lacking in the physical side of the game
He’s a joy to watch in full flow

Dwight MOTM for me, he and Pieters kept bombing down the left throughout the 2nd half, and Villa just couldn't handle them.

That goal was probably a fluke, but he earned his stroke of fortune due to his persistence, and the ball for the winner was sublime.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:13 am

And this kind of rubbish is all too typical of some of the posters on this board,, I'm afraid.

I suppose the board will be all smiles again until we go behind at Chelsea*............






*FWIW, I think we'll get a point at least.

There are probably easier ways of getting a move than signing a new deal 3 month ago too.

Article from Andy Jones of the Athletic following the game last night, fair assessment of where Dwight is at this season, also the impact on Chris Wood.

Sometimes you need a bit of luck.

As Dwight McNeil picked his head up while advancing towards goal he saw Erik Pieters busting a gut to get into the box. He tried to pick him out.

His cross was perfectly weighted, low and dangerous, right into the corridor of uncertainty.

Pieters stretched to touch it but the ball kept going. Nobody else touched it either and it nestled into the bottom corner. A cross-cum-shot and Burnley had their equaliser against Aston Villa.

Dwight McNeil, Burnley
McNeil’s cross-shot was good enough for Burnley’s second goal against Villa.
Before that, for 75 minutes it looked like it was going to be the same old story for McNeil. Plenty of effort, lots of endeavour but very little to show for it. It’s been a season in which he has been searching for his top form without being able to consistently find it.

The confidence was coursing through McNeil now, though.

Three minutes later, a Ben Mee ball over the top was chased down by Matej Vydra. He set it back to McNeil. As he looked up he saw the familiar face of Chris Wood ready to pounce.

We’ve been here before, we’ve seen this many times. Of McNeil’s 13 Premier League assists, eight have been for Wood. A lethal combination. But we hadn’t seen it at all this season until McNeil composed himself and curled in an excellent cross. The header from Wood was equally as good. 3-2.

The 21-year-old had taken the game by the scruff of the neck. In such a short space of time, McNeil had scored his first goal of the season and doubled his assist tally in the league.

He was flying now. As the clock ticked down there was a cute nutmeg on Villa’s Matty Cash. Less than a week ago it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who felt the wrath of McNeil’s quick feet.

Confident, aggressive and fearless.

It is the side of the 21-year-old that has not been seen as prominently as hoped so far this season. That’s not to suggest McNeil has been poor but his performances have not quite hit the heights fans know he can reach. The hope of a significant jump from last year to this has not been realised yet; it has been more gradual progress as he refines his game and becomes a more all-round player.

It’s a testament to McNeil’s development that so much is now expected of him. It was something Sean Dyche pointed out earlier this season when asked about whether McNeil’s dip was a cause for concern because of the lack of goals in the team. The change since he burst onto the scene is the expectation. If McNeil was putting in the performances as a youngster who was playing his first few games, what he was doing would be viewed differently to producing them with over 70 Premier League games under his belt.

Circumstances haven’t helped either, with Burnley decimated by injury at periods in the first half of the season. Their problems in front of goal have been well documented and there has been plenty of pressure on his shoulders to be the one to produce.

McNeil himself had not been his fluent self, he’s looked frustrated at times as he has tried to produce the magical moments Burnley have needed as well as searching for his top form.

This season, McNeil has found himself dropping deeper in order to pick up possession and influence games. That has left him unable to have an impact higher up the pitch. Coming into the Villa game, his numbers were down. He was averaging just 1.02 chances per game this season compared to the 1.48 chances he was creating per game last season.

Against Villa he created two chances and the hope is that it will set the tone for him moving forwards.

Since he has returned from his short break out of the side, McNeil has looked refreshed. There has been a renewed energy about him, a spark that has not been there consistently this season. The attacking balance has been a problem through this campaign, not helped by the strikers struggling for form themselves.

It almost felt like McNeil needed a rest. So much has been asked of him. The fact he had played in 71 consecutive Premier League games is a testament to his consistency and importance to this Burnley side but the schedule has been unrelenting.

He is the chief playmaker from open play and the one player who possesses the ability to carry the ball for long distances and turn defence into attack. With the injuries to Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady, at times he has been Burnley’s only available winger.

The rest was forced upon him when he picked up a thigh injury in the 2-1 victory over Wolves in the last game before Christmas. It meant that he missed games against Leeds United, Sheffield United and MK Dons with the Fulham match postponed. His absence was felt.

A player never wants to miss out through injury but the short break could be exactly what McNeil needed to go on to produce a productive second half of the season.

He returned off the bench against Manchester United and then against West Ham injected some much-needed urgency into Burnley’s play. Against Liverpool, he worked selflessly and helped create Burnley’s best chance from open play. His creativity is growing and his influence is becoming more effective.

Against Villa, his intensity in the warm-up set the tone for his performance. He looked hungry. Then he produced a reminder of his talent.

Burnley’s 19th league game of the season marked the end of the first half of the campaign and they will be hoping it signals the start of McNeil return to consistent top form.

He's one of the form players in the Premier League. The lack of recognition for him in the media is astonishing. He should be pushing for a starting place in the England side if he keeps up the form of the last two games over a month or two. (IMO)

Rowls wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:39 pm

He's one of the form players in the Premier League. The lack of recognition for him in the media is astonishing. He should be pushing for a starting place in the England side if he keeps up the form of the last two games over a month or two. (IMO)

I think it would be a tough ask at the moment for Dwight to make his way into the England team, with the form of Maddison Grealish and Harvey Barnes among others. I’m sure his time will come though, he may not be a burnley player when it does though!

Bigvince wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:44 pm

I think it would be a tough ask at the moment for Dwight to make his way into the England team, with the form of Maddison Grealish and Harvey Barnes among others. I’m sure his time will come though, he may not be a burnley player when it does though!

The last two Prem games for us he has been fantastic and although I'm biased I don't think it's unreasonable to talk of him in terms of an England call-up.

He has roasted the England RB alive and had similar success against Villa who have a very promising young RB themselves.

Although I think the media undervalue him, he got a deserved good review on MotD last night.