If Foster is fit for Hull ? Would you play him ?

[FCBurnley]

Personally I would not. Flemming although not a striker was excellent up front and Parker’s team selection was a perfect away game choice. Would I play Foster v QPR. Being a home game probably yes but only with Flemming alongside him. Just my thoughts

[Ric_C]

Weirdly I'm coming to the conclusion that Flemming would be more suited to the number 9 and Foster as more of a wide forward. Think it will suit our system better.

[Darnhill Claret]

Well I wouldn't leave Flemming out, to accommodate him.

[ClaretsPadiham]

No he’s dog sh1t

[depechedingle]

he'd be on the bench for me, he needs to earn his place back.

However I'd back Scott Parker's judgement over mine.

[Row x]

No he’s dog sh1t

A bit like some of our so called supporters then

[fatboy47]

In a 442 yes definitely, playing off Flemming.

For a lone striker I'd be going with Flemming.

[mybloodisclaret]

He's not fit, 6-8 weeks I read on here.

[morninbob]

He's out for 6 to 8 weeks so you don't need to worry about it.

[keith1879]

There were several changes on Saturday. The most significant I thought was Laurent for Hannibal, which meant that Brownhill got forward better. The ball got forward to Flemming far better than it has been doing to Foster in earlier games. The service to Foster has been really poor so far. In practice however he won't be available for some weeks so when the decision is there to be made I rather hope that we will beplaying so well that he will have to wait his turn.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Parker’s confirmed he’s out for a couple of months. No need to even think about him yet. We will look better without him

[jedi_master]

Watching Flemming away at Leeds and Wednesday, I see a player that suits our current system a lot better than Foster - just my opinion. He doesn't look anywhere near as isolated as Lyle has done, and the reason for that is that he is holding the ball up much more effectively which allows our midfield to get higher up the pitch to support him. Short answer - no, it is Flemming's shirt for the forseeable as far as I am concerned (albeit, a largely irrelevant opinion as Foster is injured for a while anyway).

It will be interesting away at Millwall what happens with Flemming unavailable. Houtondji has notched a couple at international level, so I would be inclined to say lets give him a shot. Jay is a substitute at best these days I think.

[warksclaret]

Watching Flemming away at Leeds and Wednesday, I see a player that suits our current system a lot better than Foster - just my opinion. He doesn't look anywhere near as isolated as Lyle has done, and the reason for that is that he is holding the ball up much more effectively which allows our midfield to get higher up the pitch to support him. Short answer - no, it is Flemming's shirt for the forseeable as far as I am concerned (albeit, a largely irrelevant opinion as Foster is injured for a while anyway).

It will be interesting away at Millwall what happens with Flemming unavailable. Houtondji has notched a couple at international level, so I would be inclined to say lets give him a shot. Jay is a substitute at best these days I think.

Agree with your appraisal of Flemming. Maybe for Millwall play Anthony there for one game as Jay is too slow and lacks any fight or determination these days ,and whenever Hountondji has featured he looked a little out of his depth

[AGENT_CLARET]

No

[fidelcastro]

No doubt Foster will become a better player on here during his absence.

[HahaYeah]

We should do OK with Flemming, Foster and Houtondji when he gets up to speed.

I would play Flemming and like to see Houtondje get some minutes after scoring two good goals for Benin the other night.

[claretspice]

Worth remembering that Flemming is only just coming back to fitness - he wasn't even fit enough to be on the bench for the game against Plymouth two and a half weeks ago - and we have 3 games this week. It wouldn't be a surprise if his minutes are managed somewhere along the way because we can't afford him to pick up an injury as a result of doing too much too soon.

But I agree with those thinking that Flemming may be seen by Parker as a more natural fit for what he currently wants from his number 9. He's cleverer in finding space, dropping short and linking the play and creating space for others. Foster still has lots to offer though and he potentially becomes an option playing off the left side - he's looked effective in those areas for us.

[Tinribs]

There were several changes on Saturday. The most significant I thought was Laurent for Hannibal, which meant that Brownhill got forward better. The ball got forward to Flemming far better than it has been doing to Foster in earlier games. The service to Foster has been really poor so far. In practice however he won't be available for some weeks so when the decision is there to be made I rather hope that we will beplaying so well that he will have to wait his turn.

Nothing to do with service.Flemming showed in one game that if you can hold the ball up,show some strength instead of constantly throwing yourself on the floor looking for free kicks,make some decent runs,not only for yourself but dragging players away creating gaps for the wingers and midfield runners,then you will end up with more touches and look a threat.
Foster runs his heart out but often runs down blind alleys and doesn’t get shots away.He missed a sitter at Oxford and one against Plymouth.doesnt deserve to start at moment if he was fit

[bpgburn]

No he’s dog sh1t

It's all well and good if you don't rate a player, I personally don't rate him either, but to just call him dogshit!! No need.

[Dark Cloud]

Obviously Foster isn't an option (or that's what's been muted), but with 3 games in 7 days and a very good squad available, I wouldn't be surprised to see changes in certain areas, despite us playing well and winning at the weekend. I don't think Parker would be averse to a bit of rotation to keep people involved and fresh. We'll see.

[BigGaz]

Weirdly I'm coming to the conclusion that Flemming would be more suited to the number 9 and Foster as more of a wide forward. Think it will suit our system better.

Same Ric.

Anthony deserves the start after Saturday but Id be interested in seeing Foster come on for him in his position depending how we're getting on.

[dougcollins]

Obviously Foster isn't an option (or that's what's been muted), but with 3 games in 7 days and a very good squad available, I wouldn't be surprised to see changes in certain areas, despite us playing well and winning at the weekend. I don't think Parker would be averse to a bit of rotation to keep people involved and fresh. We'll see.

Mooted?

[Goliath]

This injury might have come at the perfect time for all parties. Player, team, manager and even fans who I think were going to soon start getting on Fosters back.

A bit of time out of the team, come back without the expectation of being our main striker and look to make an impact off the bench against tired defences. He would be a brilliant sub when we are ahead and shutting up shop to play on the break.

[Dark Cloud]

Mooted?

Absolutely!

[It Is What It Is]

In a 442 yes definitely, playing off Flemming.

For a lone striker I'd be going with Flemming.

Stick with 4 4 2...rather than messing about without changing formations like bingo balls.
It's very old school as I am, but a tried and proven method even against all other teams formations.
So Foster and Flemming to lead the line for me, through balls to them and goals galore!

[warksclaret]

Just remind Foster when the next international break is and it may just speed up his recovery. Sorry to sound a cynic. In well over 40 starts I can probably list the number of games he has played well in on under two hands. Fleming has played two full games and I thought he has been excellent in both, despite the service to him being no better or worse as to afforded to Foster. Foster needs to show he wants to play for us, put more effort in,stop falling over in pain, whinge less, and be more consistent. It wont take much to get the crowd on his side-right now when at games, if you discuss Foster with our fans, opinion is very divided

[jlup1980]

Just remind Foster when the next international break is and it may just speed up his recovery. Sorry to sound a cynic. In well over 40 starts I can probably list the number of games he has played well in on under two hands. Fleming has played two full games and I thought he has been excellent in both, despite the service to him being no better or worse as to afforded to Foster. Foster needs to show he wants to play for us, put more effort in,stop falling over in pain, whinge less, and be more consistent. It wont take much to get the crowd on his side-right now when at games, if you discuss Foster with our fans, opinion is very divided

You final point is the one that rings with me the most. There seems to be a number of fans on here, and on social media, who simply cannot accept criticism of our players. At this moment in time, Foster can only be classed as a very poor signing. He's played half a dozen decent games in nearly two years. His mental health issues seem to be clouding the judgement of some supporters.

We all want a fit, healthy, firing, Lyle Foster. I don't dislike him as a person, I just think he offers very little to the team. The ironic thing is we're Burnley fans. We've had a lifetime of accepting limited players who work hard. Guys like Graham Branch are cult heroes because of it!!

Lyle has been at his best when he's worked his socks off, chased lost causes, pressed the opposition into mistakes etc... we haven't seen that Lyle for 12 months. It doesn't mean he's done as a Burnley player, it just means he needs to get back to basics. Flemming is showing that already. Put the effort in and you will very quickly get our supporters on your side.