bobinho wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:54 pm

Thoroughly deserved.

Incredibly there are some on here who still can't see how effective he can be. Even more incredible is that they didn't even want him given the chance!

Delighted for him, but lets hope he gets through it without injury...

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:41 am

I wonder if they might try and team him with Schick as we have with Wood

RingoMcCartney wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:06 pm

Why, is Schick often caught off-side!?

Sarum wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:07 pm

A few months back I had a read back through all the Burnley Express player ratings and match reports for the period last season after Chris Wood was injured. Almost all of the references to MV's performance were complimentary and IN PARTICULAR how hard he works for the team.

Prior to that spell he'd often come on as sub during the last 15 minutes of a match, often not even long enough to qualify for an UTC player rating. Also during that season he lost his place in the Czech national side mainly due to lack of playing time.

Here are two MV goals to enjoy from several years ago: the first is an over the shoulder volley similar to the recent Leicester City goal, the second is a breakaway where he streaks past defenders and finishes expertly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8fX0vd4Gjw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9KAyJhpxQ

(Zizkov: what's the correct pronunciation of Matej please?)

Bigvince wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:58 pm

Can see how effective he is, I just wish his finishing was a little more clinical!

Sarum wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:07 pm

A few months back I had a read back through all the Burnley Express player ratings and match reports for the period last season after Chris Wood was injured. Almost all of the references to MV's performance were complimentary and IN PARTICULAR how hard he works for the team.

Prior to that spell he'd often come on as sub during the last 15 minutes of a match, often not even long enough to qualify for an UTC player rating. Also during that season he lost his place in the Czech national side mainly due to lack of playing time.

Here are two MV goals to enjoy from several years ago: the first is an over the shoulder volley similar to the recent Leicester City goal, the second is a breakaway where he streaks past defenders and finishes expertly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8fX0vd4Gjw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9KAyJhpxQ

(Zizkov: what's the correct pronunciation of Matej please?)

Jakubs Tash wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:51 pm

What is the situation with isolating on his return? Will he need to do this and be unavailable for us?

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:33 am

Have to say I was in the "doubting camp" after so many misses. However since the Leicester game his pressing, energy and running in to some great spaces and being a nuisance has really lifted my perception of him. In fact I think there is more to come including goals, and next season he may well become the main "goals" man. The nice thing at present being that on this form he could start the last 9 PL games which will be great for his confidence. I hope he stays injury free for the Internationals, and finds the net. Hopefully he will start to feel at home and the club will offer him an extended contract

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:41 am

He may well need to.....

We are currently under strict lockdown, confined to our district (luckily Prague is mine, not just Zizkov), with a 9pm-5am curfew.

So yeah.... unless special exemptions are granted with a series of negative tests.....

Jakubs Tash wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:51 pm

Which then begs the question of what would be better for him - staying and cementing his position up front in a Premier League team or going to be part of a squad for your country where you may not even play (and haven't even been selected for the squad recently) and risk losing your place in your club team by having to self isolate.

Let's hope there are special exemptions, as you suggest.