Foster

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Doesn’t create chances and doesn’t score really not sure why he’s in the first 11 especially when we’ve three wingers sat on the bench.

[Rileybobs]

We know he can finish so I'm not sure about him not being good enough. I actually though it was a promising display in that he's getting in those positions regularly. If he does that then the goals will come as will the confidence. It's the other two of the attackers I'd be replacing

Who are the other two you refer to?

[Goliath]

Who are the other two you refer to?

Anthony and Flemming. They've been consistent first choice for the majority of the season and have consistently let the team down.

I'd be going Foster - Barnes - Edwards for the next few.

[agreenwood]

Doesn’t create chances and doesn’t score really not sure why he’s in the first 11 especially when we’ve three wingers sat on the bench.

He should have scored twice today and I wouldn’t mind seeing Edwards come in for him next week. However, I’m not sure it’s strictly true that he doesn’t create chances.

Brownhill’s our top assister, but Foster is only one behind him having played half the minutes. I can also think of a few other goals that he’s played a key part in, like nice pass to Cullen for the winner versus Oxford.

[claretspice]

He should have scored twice today and I wouldn’t mind seeing Edwards come in for him next week. However, I’m not sure it’s strictly true that he doesn’t create chances.

Brownhill’s our top assister, but Foster is only one behind him having played half the minutes. I can also think of a few other goals that he’s played a key part in, like nice pass to Cullen for the winner versus Oxford.

I thought Foster occupied defenders and was a threat today, even if he should have scored. The first chance that came his way was slightly behind him because the pass from Flemming was under hit - that forced him to adjust and turned it from a sitter, into a chance and in form striker buried and an out of form striker might do what Foster did.

I thought it would have been well worth keeping him on instead of Anthony when we made changes, particularly if we were ultimately going to start looking for long diagonals. But the other point here is one of confidence.

This has started to concern me about Parker but there's been a worrying trend of our forward players looking down on confidence at times and I think there's a question about how Parker handles those players. I can think of many managers, who might have left Foster out there because he was missing chances, and because the manager wanted to show faith publicly that eventually he'd take one.

Parker clearly has faith in Anthony and Flemming but I'm bot so sure it's obvious he has faith in one or two other players, and both Koleosho and Sarmiento appear to be other players whose confidence has dropped over the course of the season.

[Rileybobs]

Anthony and Flemming. They've been consistent first choice for the majority of the season and have consistently let the team down.

I'd be going Foster - Barnes - Edwards for the next few.

Flemming has scored 7 league goals this season. He’s far more prolific than Foster. He’s also much better at holding the ball up and playing with his back to goal.

Anthony, for me, has been very good. He takes on players and more often than not beats them, his final product leaves a bit to be desired but he’s usually our main attacking threat.

Obivously Edwards needs to come in, but in place of Foster. The idea of dropping Anthony and Flemming is bonkers

[Row x]

Doesn’t create chances and doesn’t score really not sure why he’s in the first 11 especially when we’ve three wingers sat on the bench.

Apart from the goal he created on Wednesday
Should have had 2 goals today though

[fidelcastro]

Anthony and Flemming. They've been consistent first choice for the majority of the season and have consistently let the team down.

I'd be going Foster - Barnes - Edwards for the next few.

Once again, I'm glad you're not the manager.

[ksrclaret]

Can't believe I've just read that Flemming and Anthony have consistently let the team down this season.

Flemming might not be a top 6 striker, mainly because he isn't even a proper striker, but he's done a good job on the whole and has contributed some good goals. Same for Anthony, he's contributed considering how cautious and negative we are in our general play.

Foster has been utterly shite for the most part, but even he hasn't let the team down. He does his best but he's just not good enough. He needed replacing in the summer, in January, and he still needs replacing as our main forward.

[Rileybobs]

I thought Foster occupied defenders and was a threat today, even if he should have scored. The first chance that came his way was slightly behind him because the pass from Flemming was under hit - that forced him to adjust and turned it from a sitter, into a chance and in form striker buried and an out of form striker might do what Foster did.

I thought it would have been well worth keeping him on instead of Anthony when we made changes, particularly if we were ultimately going to start looking for long diagonals. But the other point here is one of confidence.

This has started to concern me about Parker but there's been a worrying trend of our forward players looking down on confidence at times and I think there's a question about how Parker handles those players. I can think of many managers, who might have left Foster out there because he was missing chances, and because the manager wanted to show faith publicly that eventually he'd take one.

Parker clearly has faith in Anthony and Flemming but I'm bot so sure it's obvious he has faith in one or two other players, and both Koleosho and Sarmiento appear to be other players whose confidence has dropped over the course of the season.

The point about confidence is a good one, and one I spoke about at half time. But Parker could have taken Foster off at half time, obviously that would have knocked his confidence but may have resulted in 3 points. There’s a balancing act of course, but we’re at the point of the season where points on the board are more important than the confidence of individuals who haven’t earned the manager’s trust. I fully expect Edwards to start on Friday.

[Goliath]

Flemming has scored 7 league goals this season. He’s far more prolific than Foster. He’s also much better at holding the ball up and playing with his back to goal.

Anthony, for me, has been very good. He takes on players and more often than not beats them, his final product leaves a bit to be desired but he’s usually our main attacking threat.

Obivously Edwards needs to come in, but in place of Foster. The idea of dropping Anthony and Flemming is bonkers

You really aren't comparing like for like. I don't see Foster and Flemming as fighting for the same position for one. But regarding Flemming, 7 is a really poor total for the main striker in a team fighting for the top 2 spots. I do remember you being very critical of Rodriguez in probably the last 4 seasons, however he had about 8 2 seasons ago by November whilst offering a lot more on top.. So it's strange how your demands have changed.

For me Parker has given faith and consistency to both he and Anthony. They haven't repaid that faith. We can continue to hope they will suddenly start scoring loads of goals or creating a load of chances or we can be realistic and bring in the new signing who was playing in the champs league for Sporting on the right and give are 2nd striker in Barnes a go at being first choice and see if he can do better than Flemming.
If you really think Anthony has performed well with 3 goals and 3 assists then we clearly have different expectations for the season. (1 of those goals was an absolutely horrific error by a Sheffield Wednesday defender)

Foster hasn't had the same consistency as those 2 but I think he's had a big impact since he came back in and he looks a big goal threat off that left hand side which is what we need. If he can get one or two the confidence should start flowing and then we will see if he can do it regularly.

As for the idea being bonkers, that's an absplutely laughable comment. We've had something like 12 0 0s, maybe we should.change the goalkeeper instead. You somehow aren't seeing what's right infront of you.

[Goliath]

Apart from the goal he created on Wednesday
Should have had 2 goals today though

Is there a headbanging emoji I can use. Him playing well against Hull doesn't mean he's good enough to do it consistently in the tougher games.
We've played Leeds twice, Sunderland twice, Preston twice, Blackburn twice and Sheff Utd once. I think it's reasonable to say they are this seasons biggest and toughest games.

Guess how many goals/assists he has in these...1 assist v Blackburn on his debut...He isn't turning up in the big games.

[Rileybobs]

You really aren't comparing like for like. I don't see Foster and Flemming as fighting for the same position for one. But regarding Flemming, 7 is a really poor total for the main striker in a team fighting for the top 2 spots. I do remember you being very critical of Rodriguez in probably the last 4 seasons, however he had about 8 2 seasons ago by November whilst offering a lot more on top.. So it's strange how your demands have changed.

For me Parker has given faith and consistency to both he and Anthony. They haven't repaid that faith. We can continue to hope they will suddenly start scoring loads of goals or creating a load of chances or we can be realistic and bring in the new signing who was playing in the champs league for Sporting on the right and give are 2nd striker in Barnes a go at being first choice and see if he can do better than Flemming.
If you really think Anthony has performed well with 3 goals and 3 assists then we clearly have different expectations for the season. (1 of those goals was an absolutely horrific error by a Sheffield Wednesday defender)

Foster hasn't had the same consistency as those 2 but I think he's had a big impact since he came back in and he looks a big goal threat off that left hand side which is what we need. If he can get one or two the confidence should start flowing and then we will see if he can do it regularly.

As for the idea being bonkers, that's an absplutely laughable comment. We've had something like 12 0 0s, maybe we should.change the goalkeeper instead. You somehow aren't seeing what's right infront of you.

I can’t remember being too critical of Rodriguez when he was in a good run of form 2 seasons ago. Feel free to find my posts to prove otherwise.

So you’re criticising Anthony’s numbers, which are better than Fosters, but suggest that Foster should be shown faith by the manager but Anthony not?! Where is the logic? Anthony offers a whole lot more than Foster, both on and off the ball. I can’t believe anyone can think otherwise.

[Row x]

Is there a headbanging emoji I can use. Him playing well against Hull doesn't mean he's good enough to do it consistently in the tougher games.
We've played Leeds twice, Sunderland twice, Preston twice, Blackburn twice and Sheff Utd once. I think it's reasonable to say they are this seasons biggest and toughest games.

Guess how many goals/assists he has in these...1 assist v Blackburn on his debut...He isn't turning up in the big games.

The poster I was replying to said he didn't create chances, that's all I was replying to.i made no comment on how he played against hull, or anyone else, so if you find that headbanging emoji, can you let me have it please so I can add it on here
It was a goal against rovers, not an assist by the way, or a debut.

[Dark Cloud]

He's a striker who can't score when it's laid on a plate. Never mind all this "he's being played out of position crap". He's just not bloody good enough!!

[Goliath]

I can’t remember being too critical of Rodriguez when he was in a good run of form 2 seasons ago. Feel free to find my posts to prove otherwise.

So you’re criticising Anthony’s numbers, which are better than Fosters, but suggest that Foster should be shown faith by the manager but Anthony not?! Where is the logic? Anthony offers a whole lot more than Foster, both on and off the ball. I can’t believe anyone can think otherwise.

Foster has played about half the minutes that Anthony has played. In that time they both have 3 assists, Anthony has 2 more goals.

So the stats don't really back you up there. It's pretty clear that given a full season Foster would score more than Anthony.

The defensive argument is absolutely fair, Anthony is excellent at that but with the defenders we have we shouldn't need him to spend half his time as an auxiliary wing back. I'd much prefer to play a winger like Edwards, let him cheat slightly defensively and maybe concede a few more goals. I'm sure we'd win more games.

[Rileybobs]

Foster has played about half the minutes that Anthony has played. In that time they both have 3 assists, Anthony has 2 more goals.

So the stats don't really back you up there. It's pretty clear that given a full season Foster would score more than Anthony.

The defensive argument is absolutely fair, Anthony is excellent at that but with the defenders we have we shouldn't need him to spend half his time as an auxiliary wing back. I'd much prefer to play a winger like Edwards, let him cheat slightly defensively and maybe concede a few more goals. I'm sure we'd win more games.

Regardless of statistics, Anthony is a better player than Foster. Of that there is no doubt. I can’t understand the excuses being made for Foster’s performances.

[Goliath]

Regardless of statistics, Anthony is a better player than Foster. Of that there is no doubt. I can’t understand the excuses being made for Foster’s performances.

Regardless of the stats, my opinion is right anyway.
They aren't comparable, totally different players, but for what we need in the side at the moment, Foster should be ahead of him.

[Rileybobs]

Regardless of the stats, my opinion is right anyway.
They aren't comparable, totally different players, but for what we need in the side at the moment, Foster should be ahead of him.

My opinion is right in this instance.

[dougcollins]

Regardless of statistics, Anthony is a better player than Foster. Of that there is no doubt. I can’t understand the excuses being made for Foster’s performances.

Aren't you comparing apples with pears?

[aggi]

. It's pretty clear that given a full season Foster would score more than Anthony.

Is it?

[fidelcastro]

Goliath reminds me of Groucho Marx's character in that film where his wife comes home to find him in bed with another woman, and he utters the questions "Who are you going to believe? Me, or the evidence of your own eyes?"

[Goliath]

Is it?

Yes. Foster had 2 one on ones today (should have been 3). Anthony just doesn't get those chances. Goalscoring is about consistently getting in the positions.

[Rileybobs]

Aren't you comparing apples with pears?

Well Goliath suggested dropping Anthony rather than Foster for Edwards, so no.

[123EasyasBFC]

Foster should have one chance in the striker position on Friday against Wednesday

[Big Vinny K]

Regardless of the stats, my opinion is right anyway.
They aren't comparable, totally different players, but for what we need in the side at the moment, Foster should be ahead of him.

If what we need is a player who is missing at least one sitter every single game then I agree Foster is your man.

[aggi]

Yes. Foster had 2 one on ones today (should have been 3). Anthony just doesn't get those chances. Goalscoring is about consistently getting in the positions.

Well ultimately goalscoring is about scoring goals. Foster has played the equivalent of 14 matches, including plenty of starts and some stints through the middle, and scored one goal.

If you want to assess the quality of chances then you can look at the xG per 90 where they are pretty much the same.

[Silkyskills1]

Goalscoring is about consistently getting in the positions.

Over many years I've found that goalscoring is about putting the ball in the net. Some do it well, others not so.

[Goliath]

Wow. People are even more simple than I realised. Believe or not I already know the basic rule of what constitutes a goal.

The ones that score them more consistently in their careers tend to put themselves in the positions where the opportuny to put the ball in the net beomes more likely.

[Hibsclaret]

I’m not buying this pass was a bit behind him bs. You simply have to hit the target with the last kick of the first half. I would have backed any other of our other ten players on the pitch to bury that chance and one of them is a keeper. You simply can’t miss chances like that and anyone that regularly misses chances of that quality is simply not good enough.

I was berating Anthony for not slipping him in earlier in the first half but he just can’t be trusted to hit the target. Barnes bags both those chances today.

[claretspice]

I’m not buying this pass was a bit behind him bs. You simply have to hit the target with the last kick of the first half. I would have backed any other of our other ten players on the pitch to bury that chance and one of them is a keeper. You simply can’t miss chances like that and anyone that regularly misses chances of that quality is simply not good enough.

I was berating Anthony for not slipping him in earlier in the first half but he just can’t be trusted to hit the target. Barnes bags both those chances today.

It was underhit, slightly behind him and that allowed a defender to slide across the line of the shot Foster would otherwise have taken on. He should have scored and it wasn't a good effort but the pass made it less straightforward than it should have been.

[CoolClaret]

Time to try and 'Joelinton' him.

Not the worst shout I've ever read - could work! We just don't have time to experiment

[Hibsclaret]

It was underhit, slightly behind him and that allowed a defender to slide across the line of the shot Foster would otherwise have taken on. He should have scored and it wasn't a good effort but the pass made it less straightforward than it should have been.

Rubbish. It’s poor finishing and nothing else. The pass was fine. Just like the backheel Flemming did in a previous game. You can’t miss the target from there.

[Rileybobs]

Not the worst shout I've ever read - could work! We just don't have time to experiment

Why are people so desperate to shoehorn him into the team? Why not try him at right back?

[Goliath]

He's not being shoehorn into the team..he's playing as a left inside forward to give us a goal threat from the left which is exactly what he does. We have been far better going forwards since he came into the side.

He has to take the first chance but the 2nd one he actually did well, he didn't slash at it took it inside the defender and wrong footed the keeper. He should score but he was about an inch off doing so.

[Rileybobs]

He's not being shoehorn into the team..he's playing as a left inside forward to give us a goal threat from the left which is exactly what he does. We have been far better going forwards since he came into the side.

He has to take the first chance but the 2nd one he actually did well, he didn't slash at it took it inside the defender and wrong footed the keeper. He should score but he was about an inch off doing so.

People suggesting to ‘Joelinton’ him I presume means to play him in midfield. I mean WTF!

[Goliath]

People suggesting to ‘Joelinton’ him I presume means to play him in midfield. I mean WTF!

Ah yes that would be borderline insanity

[CoolClaret]

Why are people so desperate to shoehorn him into the team? Why not try him at right back?

I'm just using it as a thought experiment to determine what position actually suits him best.

FWIW I wouldn't have him starting now. We've seen enough, and the output just isn't there and I don't think it ever will be, which is a shame.

[Jamesy]

Doesn’t create chances and doesn’t score really not sure why he’s in the first 11 especially when we’ve three wingers sat on the bench.

Spot on with this. It’s nothing personal but Foster is nowhere near good enough.

[boatshed bill]

Spot on with this. It’s nothing personal but Foster is nowhere near good enough.

Trouble is that we don't appear to have anyone certain to be better. Koleosho, IMO, was actually worse out there.

[Dark Cloud]

Before the game today I saw the team in the pub in Preston and said personally Foster wouldn't be in my starting XI. I feel vindicated.

[boatshed bill]

Before the game today I saw the team in the pub in Preston and said personally Foster wouldn't be in my starting XI. I feel vindicated.

The thing is, though:
Do you feel better for it?

[Dark Cloud]

The thing is, though:
Do you feel better for it?

Tbf Bill, no. I desperately wanted him to bury the chances which came his way and I do acknowledge that a rather nifty bit of footwork allowed him to miss the second, but ultimately he's an (alleged!) striker who's missed two sitters and cost us 2 points we can ill afford. I've thought for some time that he's a weak link in a very, very good team and we've got better on the bench.

[jrgbfc]

People seem desperate to carry on making excuses for Foster. "His heads not right", "he needs trying on the left", "he had one good game at Villa". At some point soon he has to start delivering.

[Big Vinny K]

It was underhit, slightly behind him and that allowed a defender to slide across the line of the shot Foster would otherwise have taken on. He should have scored and it wasn't a good effort but the pass made it less straightforward than it should have been.

Not sure it was underhit or slightly behind him either tbh but maybe it would have been an easier chance if played for him to run onto.
Still not sure he would have scored though based on the fact that in recent games he has missed unbelievable chances from pretty much every angle of pass, weight of pass and anything else you can think of.

[Dark Cloud]

Parker HAS to take the obvious decision and drop him. Any mental/confidence issues have to be put aside and it's not the time for the "arm round the shoulder" stuff. It's "you're being paid around £35k per week and you're now dropped because you're not cutting it ". Harsh, but fair! (IMO)

[Goliath]

Parker HAS to take the obvious decision and drop him. Any mental/confidence issues have to be put aside and it's not the time for the "arm round the shoulder" stuff. It's "you're being paid around £35k per week and you're now dropped because you're not cutting it ". Harsh, but fair! (IMO)

How's it fair. He's been excellent since coming in against Reading.

[123EasyasBFC]

How's it fair. He's been excellent since coming in against Reading.

The parts of the games since reading that Foster has been excellent in, Anthony can do the exact same on the left which allows us to put Edwards on the right

[taio]

Some people can sugar-coat all they like, bur Foster's misses are a significant problem.

[Dark Cloud]

How's it fair. He's been excellent since coming in against Reading.

No he hasn't. He's a striker who can't score from a few yards out. That's not excellent. It's rubbish!