Wout is back

[daveisaclaret]

I think that's a strange view imo. I'd argue that the majority of our fan base would be creaming themselves if we were linked with a striker that had just played half a season for United and was a Dutch international who had scored a couple at the World Cup. I appreciate you said you are taking the emotions out of it but it doesn't seem like you are.

The games he played for United were on telly and everyone who watched saw he was crap

[bobinho]

If you don't score goals you get religated, if he's our centre forward or so called goalscorer, we are in trouble.. Send him to Turkey ASAP.

Admittedly he didn’t get very many for us under the previous manager and playing that style.

We are SIGNIFICANTLY different to that now. I’m afraid that nullifies your argument.

Let’s not forget, he doesn’t NEED to score that many, they way we want to play gets EVERYONE into danger areas, and his role will obviously be about bringing others into play in dangerous areas. I believe he’s more than good enough for that…..

[martin_p]

VK says he’s the man, then he’s the man.

Has he said that?

[GetIntoEm]

i think if we play the same way as last season, he's the best striker at the club for that system.

people think he's a big lad, we should play it on his head. thats not his game, never has been.

[Clive 1960]

I loved the sigh when welcomed back and looking forward to being successful when asked by reporter

[BurnleyFC]

A welcome return.

We could do with the bodies we can get to muck in and help with the new catering system.

[jedi_master]

Maybe the fact he’s failed twice in this league, possibly has nobody wanting him and has had to return to us will ignite something in him or make him realise he actually has an awful lot to prove.

Will surely suit the way we play now better. I’d rather we found someone to take him as he’ll be on loads and is getting on, but if that’s not possible then we need him to reintegrate and to try and get something out of him. You could see him in the Barnes role…

[Raconteur]

I think that's a strange view imo. I'd argue that the majority of our fan base would be creaming themselves if we were linked with a striker that had just played half a season for United and was a Dutch international who had scored a couple at the World Cup. I appreciate you said you are taking the emotions out of it but it doesn't seem like you are.

I don't think the majority of our fans would be creaming themselves if they had watched his spell at Manchester United. He looked average at best.

[Colburn_Claret]

I never held this grudge against Wout. He had made it clear to the club, before signing, that his WC aspirations wouldn't allow him to play in the championship, should we be relegated. The club agreed, obviously they weren't going to mention that prior to relegation.
I can see it from his pov as well, it was understandable.
I thought it would be very difficult for him to come back, after the dogs abuse he gets from some quarters, but if VK wants him, I'm personally, chuffed.
I think he will be so fired up to show people Burnley fans, Man U fans, the pundits who ripped him to bits week after week, you can't buy that kind of motivation.
Could be the best thing to happen this window if he clicks.

[Lancasterclaret]

The games he played for United were on telly and everyone who watched saw he was crap

People who aren't very good for United might well be good enough for Burnley

[Darthlaw]

He'll suit the way we play as our wingers cross at Ashley Barnes head height, which half a foot taller Wout will have no trouble getting on the end of, with his amazing ability to shrink once airborne.

[daveisaclaret]

People who aren't very good for United might well be good enough for Burnley

That doesn't change that nobody would be excited about signing him based on him playing for United, though. Because he was crap.

[AlargeClaret]

Technically he HAD to “ come back “ as he’s a contracted Burnley player and needs to get fully match fit . It’s very disappointing nobody’s been in for him but hope springs eternal .While I’m not doubting his ability per se, he was never better than moderate for us or Man Utd ,and left under pretty moody circumstances. IMO his skill set isn’t particularly suited to the Prem ie he’s not mobile , he’s slow and doesn’t appear to utilise his height .

[boyyanno]

That doesn't change that nobody would be excited about signing him based on him playing for United, though. Because he was crap.

Waaaaa I don't think he's very good so I'm going to say everyone thinks he's rubbish. Grow up mate.

[TPClaret]

Why do people think he’ll be any good for us? Just look at the players he was playing with last season and he still couldn’t score!

[dibraidio]

What do people expect? We have a player we paid 12 million pounds for, nobody has come in for him so he's still a Burnley player and the only way he's going to be worth anything to anyone is if he's fit and has had a pre-season somewhere.

We have absolutely nothing to lose by getting him involved with our pre-season. If it doesn't work out I'm sure his agent will be hard at work trying to find him another club.

[Lancasterclaret]

That doesn't change that nobody would be excited about signing him based on him playing for United, though. Because he was crap.

I'm still realistic enough to get excited about United rejects coming to us!

[daveisaclaret]

Waaaaa I don't think he's very good so I'm going to say everyone thinks he's rubbish. Grow up mate.

I'm willing to accept some people might be excited about us signing someone who had played really poorly for United because he had played at all for them I suppose, but I have to caveat that those people would be weird.

[criminalclaret]

Don't care about what he did previously for us, the fact he had an agreement in place on relegation fair play to him. This is a totally different club to one which he left.

I will welcome him like any other player come first game of the season and judge him from his services to us this season.

In Vinny I trust, simple as.

[4midable]

All the haters have turned

[scouseclaret]

Technically he HAD to “ come back “ as he’s a contracted Burnley player and needs to get fully match fit . It’s very disappointing nobody’s been in for him but hope springs eternal .While I’m not doubting his ability per se, he was never better than moderate for us or Man Utd ,and left under pretty moody circumstances. IMO his skill set isn’t particularly suited to the Prem ie he’s not mobile , he’s slow and doesn’t appear to utilise his height .

This is an interesting point. He is a contracted Burnley players so how come he’s only rocked up at training now? Does suggest the reunion is something of a last resort…

[bobinho]

Has he said that?

Ok, but that’s just semantics isn’t it? Stick “if” at the front of the sentence if you need absolutes.

He’s back and he’s been paraded. That’s a vote of confidence in his future for me.

If we had no intention of integrating him into this team, we wouldnt have this thread.

I could of course be completely wrong and someone at the club has jumped the gun and done this without anyone’s authorisation and without speaking to VK.

[boyyanno]

I'm willing to accept some people might be excited about us signing someone who had played really poorly for United because he had played at all for them I suppose, but I have to caveat that those people would be weird.

Waaaa people with a different opinion to me are weird. School finished early I guess.

[Lancasterclaret]

I'm willing to accept some people might be excited about us signing someone who had played really poorly for United because he had played at all for them I suppose, but I have to caveat that those people would be weird.

I'm willing to accept being weird

I think the argument is simply that his game would suit our current style a lot more than it did when he was last here, and that because of that, he might be able to play a role for us so we have one less position to worry about

[bobinho]

this.

[claret2018]

Wout Wout it’s the sound of the set piece!

[Steve1956]

Welcome back Wout....get your head down fella and you will score goals for us in this team with the way we play...maybe 10/15 ...the best targetman we have or are likely to have...everyone deserves a second chance.

[daveisaclaret]

I'm willing to accept being weird

I think the argument is simply that his game would suit our current style a lot more than it did when he was last here, and that because of that, he might be able to play a role for us so we have one less position to worry about

Arguments that he's good are fine with me and completely reasonable given in foreign leagues he's clearly shown a lot more than he has in the Premier League. I was replying specifically to the idea that people would/should/could be excited to sign someone because their last club is Manchester United regardless of them being rubbish at said club, which imo is silly and fanciful.

[RVclaret]

That doesn't change that nobody would be excited about signing him based on him playing for United, though. Because he was crap.

He was pretty decent when I saw him at the Nou Camp when United drew 2-2 and when he assisted Rashford in the Carabou Cup final.

[JohnMcGreal]

People who aren't very good for United might well be good enough for Burnley

I'm not sure in this case. If anything, a limited player in a decent side surrounded by good players should be able to get away with it more. The fact that he was still bobbins despite being surrounded by quality players doesn't fill me with confidence when he's in a weaker team and will have less opportunities.

[boyyanno]

Arguments that he's good are fine with me and completely reasonable given in foreign leagues he's clearly shown a lot more than he has in the Premier League. I was replying specifically to the idea that people would/should/could be excited to sign someone because their last club is Manchester United regardless of them being rubbish at said club, which imo is silly and fanciful.

Nahhh. That isn't what you replied to at all. No one said that people would be excited for someone who played rubbish at Man United, that's just you inventing crap. It's firstly your opinion that he's crap and secondly you ignore the world Cup goals, his spell at Besiktas and in Germany.

It's like saying that our fan base wouldn't cream themselves if we were linked with Timo Werner just because he didn't do that well at Chelsea. Be honest with yourself, they would wouldn't they?

[daveisaclaret]

Waaaa people with a different opinion to me are weird. School finished early I guess.

Just for the record pal you're reacting to me disagreeing with you by pretending I'm a child and that's also weird

[tarkys_ears]

So he's answered his phone then

Must be the voicemail they left telling him he wouldn't be getting paid that brought him back

...be under absolutely no other ******* illusion

[Lancasterclaret]

Arguments that he's good are fine with me and completely reasonable given in foreign leagues he's clearly shown a lot more than he has in the Premier League. I was replying specifically to the idea that people would/should/could be excited to sign someone because their last club is Manchester United regardless of them being rubbish at said club, which imo is silly and fanciful.

I don't think I'm doing that - I liked him when he was here, and I'm pleased to see him back as I think he can play a role for us

Either way, if he doesn't want to be here then VK will soon bin him off

[claretonthecoast1882]

Arguments that he's good are fine with me and completely reasonable given in foreign leagues he's clearly shown a lot more than he has in the Premier League. I was replying specifically to the idea that people would/should/could be excited to sign someone because their last club is Manchester United regardless of them being rubbish at said club, which imo is silly and fanciful.

I was pleased we signed Neil Wood on loan from Man Utd............... then he played

[spt_claret]

This is an interesting point. He is a contracted Burnley players so how come he’s only rocked up at training now? Does suggest the reunion is something of a last resort…

Because our pre-season started before his season with United had ended, and then he was into the Netherlands squad.

[Nonayforever]

I'm glad he's back.
I thought he was a good player first time round, trying to play football in a hoof ball team.
I'm not interested in any player fallouts, no team has a group of 20 - 30 players where they all like each other.
We need extra bodies and he sort of fits the bill. If VK plays him , then he's good, if he doesn't get on the bench or game time then i presume we are looking to offload him.
Welcome back Wout.

[jlup1980]

I'm glad he's back.
*I thought he was a good player first time round, trying to play football in a hoof ball team.*
I'm not interested in any player fallouts, no team has a group of 20 - 30 players where they all like each other.
We need extra bodies and he sort of fits the bill. If VK plays him , then he's good, if he doesn't get on the bench or game time then i presume we are looking to offload him.
Welcome back Wout.

The key part of your comment is he looked good when we first signed him. He was terrific at home vs United for example. However, he was trying to play football when Dyche wanted him to be a head on a stick. That won't be the case under VK. Ashley Barnes was always able to play football but Dyche changed his role to s-housery. VK brought the footballer back last season and he thrived because of it. I've no doubt Weghorst could be a success in our current set up too. The big questions are whether Wout and / or Vincent feel the same!

[bfcjg]

I think it's all down to finance, no one wants him for a fee we want,we are paying his wages he wants Premier league football so it's either a shop window for him or us.

[Gordaleman]

No doubt in my mind that Weghorst is a grafter. He's not a target man though. He likes the ball to his feet, and because he was played as a target man under Sean, he didn't do as well as he might have done. His link up play is very good though and Utd. scored a lot of goals on the back of that. He wouldn't have kept his place in the Utd. team had he not contributed.

He may stay, or he may leave. If he stays, give the lad a chance and let's see how VK utilises him.

[aggi]

That doesn't change that nobody would be excited about signing him based on him playing for United, though. Because he was crap.

Amazing how he played in almost every game for a team that came third in the Premier League, reached two domestic finals (winning one) and a European quarter final (knocking out Barcelona on the way) but was still crap. What would Utd have done if they'd had a non-crap player playing in all those games?

[CoolClaret]

I’m just gonna drop these in here to remind everyone of what happened when we played to feet with Wout up top/

3-0 route away at Brighton: (then Dyche dropped Cork - yeah you tell me)

https://youtu.be/BONlvhOt-kA

Tearing United inside out:

https://youtube.com/shorts/h1Rt1rZNy2w?feature=share

Of course, it was a little to far in between efforts but let’s not pretend that most of our side were crap in the relegation season and we were playing some terrible stuff that didn’t suit the XI that we had on the pitch

[Vintage Claret]

Just don't give him a banjo and keep him away from cows @rses and he'll be fine

Joking aside, if VK thinks he can do a job for us and intends to utilize him in the team and WW has shown commitment to the cause, that's good enough for me.

[Vegas Claret]

to be fair plenty of the folks complaining about him are the same ones who can't even pronounce his name correctly

[spt_claret]

No doubt in my mind that Weghorst is a grafter. He's not a target man though. He likes the ball to his feet, and because he was played as a target man under Sean, he didn't do as well as he might have done.

However, he was trying to play football when Dyche wanted him to be a head on a stick.

As someone who is in favour of keeping Wout this is exhausting. Dyche didn't play him like this. Jay was moved up into Wood's advanced role as the main target man, Wout was dropping deeper to the point fans around me were angry that he was almost back in midfield at times, not further up front. Check the heatmaps if you don't believe me. Wout's has him concentrated across the pitch in a deep band below the penalty box. Jay's has a concentrated patch in the deep left channel and high up in the penalty box- because he switched roles when Wout came in.
Weghorst is such a dramatic example of people seeing what they want to see, on all fronts.

[martin_p]

This is an interesting point. He is a contracted Burnley players so how come he’s only rocked up at training now? Does suggest the reunion is something of a last resort…

Because he played in the Premier League last season so his season finished a lot later than ours. A few Premier League teams have only returned to training this week, Liverpool for example.

[daveisaclaret]

Amazing how he played in almost every game for a team that came third in the Premier League, reached two domestic finals (winning one) and a European quarter final (knocking out Barcelona on the way) but was still crap. What would Utd have done if they'd had a non-crap player playing in all those games?

They probably would have done....better.

Again, part of the point I am trying to make is that all these credulous posts about what he did at United are completely irrelevant for anyone who watched him play. Playing the last 12 minutes of the FA Cup final or being subbed off at half time before they came from behind to knock Barcelona out should not be any part of the conversation about whether this guy is any good.

[CoolClaret]

As someone who is in favour of keeping Wout this is exhausting. Dyche didn't play him like this. Jay was moved up into Wood's advanced role as the main target man, Wout was dropping deeper to the point fans around me were angry that he was almost back in midfield at times, not further up front. Check the heatmaps if you don't believe me. Wout's has him concentrated across the pitch in a deep band below the penalty box. Jay's has a concentrated patch in the deep left channel and high up in the penalty box- because he switched roles when Wout came in.
Weghorst is such a dramatic example of people seeing what they want to see, on all fronts.

We were still punting the ball up to him at times/in the channel for him when it was clear that it didn’t work.

His debut at home against Watford in the **** rain a pretty good example of this

[spt_claret]

We were still punting the ball up to him at times/in the channel for him when it was clear that it didn’t work.

His debut at home against Watford in the **** rain a pretty good example of this

To be fair I think in that weather, hit and hope to the 6'6" bloke is understandable. But I don't remember him ever really serving as an advanced head on a stick like people suggest. I did want us to try a 4231 with him as the 1 and Vydra/Cornet/McNeil in the 3 behind, though.

[Silkyskills1]

Amazing how he played in almost every game for a team that came third in the Premier League, reached two domestic finals (winning one) and a European quarter final (knocking out Barcelona on the way) but was still crap. What would Utd have done if they'd had a non-crap player playing in all those games?

Better. His entrance this morning highlighted his reluctance to be here. Wherever his heart is I don't know but it's not with Burnley Football Club. I think we had a happy dressing room last season and I don't want that to change.