Foster is a number 9

[billyhamilton82]

Changed the game when he came on, stretched them with his pace and worked extremely hard opening gaps up in their defence which we exploited.

Offers so much more up top, especially with JJ in midfield.

Very unlucky not to score, great run and a fantastic ball over the top from Shelvey, just not going his way atm but it will come.

Flemming in the 10 in behind him must be tried in the next game.

[MDWat]

He was really, really good when he came on. He and Brownhill completely changed the game.

[BurnleyFC]

Played well but desperately needs a goal.

He was unlucky with his first chance but simply has to finish his second one.

[BigGaz]

He just needs a goal. A few inches the right side of the post and we're all discussing his composure, class and vision to send the ball around the goalie on his off side.

Not to be an armchair quarterback but I would've liked to have seen him put his laces through it, or show that pace we all know he has and go round him on his near side before tucking it in.

He has got that deft finish in him, but just play the numbers when you're in a drought Lyle pal. I'm desperate for him to get a couple, feel like hell be well away if he can.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Dear me are we still flogging that dead horse.

[RVclaret]

His sub performance, apart from a goal, was really good, I felt. Dynamic movement (in behind vertically, channel running and dropping deep), playing on the half turn to create space elsewhere and good awareness.

[ecc]

He just needs a goal. A few inches the right side of the post and we're all discussing his composure, class and vision to send the ball around the goalie on his off side.

Not to be an armchair quarterback but I would've liked to have seen him put his laces through it, or show that pace we all know he has and go round him on his near side before tucking it in.

He has got that deft finish in him, but just play the numbers when you're in a drought Lyle pal. I'm desperate for him to get a couple, feel like hell be well away if he can.

Played well and with confidence.

I think we were all urging that ball to go in. It will come.

[warksclaret]

Time for him to start
Fleming has been very quiet for about 3-4 games now

[Quickenthetempo]

If you play him, he has to be running on to the ball like tonight.

[boatshed bill]

Time for him to start
Fleming has been very quiet for about 3-4 games now

Flemming is doing a decent job, though not a real CF.
Giving the job to Foster would be a massive gamble for SP.

[billyhamilton82]

Flemming is doing a decent job, though not a real CF.
Giving the job to Foster would be a massive gamble for SP.

The gamble is to continue playing them both out of position.

[KRBFC]

Runs around a lot so much be good.

Miles out of his depth, missed 2 sitters and should’ve had a tap in, Roberts showed him where a striker should be.

[TPClaret]

Runs around a lot so much be good.

Miles out of his depth, missed 2 sitters and should’ve had a tap in, Roberts showed him where a striker should be.

Absolute rubbish. Is was involved in everything around the box when he came on

[billyhamilton82]

Runs around a lot so much be good.

Miles out of his depth, missed 2 sitters and should’ve had a tap in, Roberts showed him where a striker should be.

Laughable

[Hibsclaret]

Again he misses another chance. Composure to take it round the keeper is all that was needed. If the chance falls to Edwards he scores. That ball from Shelvey was a thing of beauty that needed to be finished by a goal scorer.

[Commy]

He is lacking in confidence. A bit of support would be better than keep slagging him off.

[123EasyasBFC]

Foster looked good, really just needs a goal. He had time to chase down the second one he missed

[TPClaret]

Thought he did everything right. Just wrong side of the post

[GetIntoEm]

Needs to start ahead of Fleming. Really brings nothing to the team

[DCWat]

Had he scored last week (should have had one, and really two), I reckon he’d have scored the one on one.

He just needs to get off the mark, whether it’s a screamer or it comes off his arse, it’ll do him the world of good.

I suspect he’s his own worse critic, but he played very well when he came on.

[Burnleyareback2]

I’m desperate for him to get a goal. I’m sure the flood gates will then open

[JR1882]

I think expectations need to change, has top physical attributes but the best goalscoring season of his career he got 8 goals, his second highest is 5 goals. He’s not a goalscorer.

Nothing personal & not a case of “having a go” but I don’t think he has the quality to put teams to the sword in front of goal. Obviously other aspects of his game are really good.

[Bacchus]

I'm not convinced he's a natural number 9. I like him, just not convinced he has the instinct for that role. A prime example was when Anthony played Pires down the left in the second half. Everyone in the ground could see that pass coming, seemingly apart from Foster who when Pires looked up for someone to cross to was still about 15 yards outside the penalty area.

I'm willing him to get a goal as much as the next guy, just don't quite buy this notion that the solution to all of our attacking issues is to play him down the middle.

[MrEyres]

Did Tella not have a similar opportunity at WBA under VK?! Yes it ended in a pen and a Jay goal. But it was most certainly a heavy touch and I doubt we would have scored without the spot kick.

Then there’s the Tella 1 on 1 at Boro he put wide…

Love Tella but let’s not kid ourselves Foster is not one of the best forwards in the league , he is, seen by his strength and run before laying it to Vitinho to score Luton away.

He needs to be played through the middle with wide men off him it’s simple. Round pegs round holes.

Nothing against Flemming but he’s not the man to start imho. But still …. A championship forward most would start.

[BabylonClaret]

Thought he did really well for the first chance - gambled and got in but their keeper was out quickly and made the block.

Second chance was an awful miss.

[agreenwood]

Just got home. I would have posted this if someone hadn’t.

He may not be everything we’d want, but he offers more overall up front than Flemming. The two runs in behind for the through balls for starters are something we’ve lacked a lot this season.

[BleedingClaret]

I think the combo of bringing him and Shelvey on together if we need goals is a real threat

[Goliath]

Can we not just stop playing Flemming. He's quite obviously not very good. He must have had less than 20 touches today.

[Rileybobs]

He did well when he came on today, gutted that he missed as you can see how much scoring a goal would get the monkey off his back. He was helped by a much more attacking attitude from the team in the second half though, we squeezed Wednesday back and got bodies forward, as you could see by Roberts scoring a tap in on the goal line.

Foster offers a threat in behind which Flemming doesn’t, but he’s not good with his back to goal and isn’t anywhere near as clinical a finisher - dropping our second (?) top scorer for someone who doesn’t score would be a bold move for a team that often struggles to score.

Flemming was left completely isolated in the first half and along with Hannibal was just a decoy when we attempted to attack. It’s a tough one to call because we often look Turgid when Flemming plays but I’d say that’s less down to him and more down to how the rest of the team sets up around him. Bar the odd couple of key players I think the difference is one of approach and attitude than of personnel.

I also don’t see Flemming playing behind Foster, Brownhill offers more in that position. With the productivity of Anthony and Edwards in the wide positions I think we are unlikely to see both players on the pitch together for many minutes.

[Taffy on the wing]

Time for him to start
Fleming has been very quiet for about 3-4 games now

Flemming will be great with 2 up front....he's so uncomfortable with his back to goal.
Surely Parker can see that?

[Guller Bull]

I think the combo of bringing him and Shelvey on together if we need goals is a real threat

Exactly this. That arc’s ball over the top for Lyle to run on to late in the game when the defence is tired is a potential safe cracker. (As long as he bags it)
Needs the proverbial one to come of his arse at the moment though.

[KateR]

Has he ever started a game with Flemming yet, I can’t remember that happening?? I’d certainly like to see it, both playing in their preferred positions, but I’m beginning to think it’ll never happen.

Thought SP got his substitution spot on for the first time, even actually having the early sub’s was a big surprise. Perhaps he can see the game better from the stands, maybe he should try it again as it certainly worked IMO.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

He’s got a bit of Joelinton about him. Came as a striker, not necessarily a striker, Just needs finding his spot

[burnley007]

He really looked like a no.9 when he came on.
He's having a tough time finishing chances, but he really stretches their defence.

Goals will come

[morninbob]

IMO Flemming and foster will never start the same game in their natural positions.

[aggi]

It's a lot easier for Foster coming on when we're effectively 2-0 up and the opposition are chasing the game. We've seen what happens when he's playing against a team that sits deep, he doesn't have the space to run into, he struggles with his back to goal and he doesn't look like he's going to nick a goal.

Hopefully, although it's a bit early to say, Edwards and maybe Shelvey will have some influence in those tight games but I'm not convinced Foster through the middle will.

[Rileybobs]

It's a lot easier for Foster coming on when we're effectively 2-0 up and the opposition are chasing the game. We've seen what happens when he's playing against a team that sits deep, he doesn't have the space to run into, he struggles with his back to goal and he doesn't look like he's going to nick a goal.

Hopefully, although it's a bit early to say, Edwards and maybe Shelvey will have some influence in those tight games but I'm not convinced Foster through the middle will.

Agree entirely. It’s a completely different proposition when the other team are chasing the game and we’re playing with our tails up.

[Silkyskills1]

I’m desperate for him to get a goal. I’m sure the flood gates will then open

I'm sure most people are but the idea that 'the floodgates will then open' is somewhat amiss. They never have in his time with us. Noticed SP said something similar to you in his pre-match interview and it just becomes another rather empty cliche. Confidence is a major factor in any striker's armoury and he appears to lack it in front of goal.

[Hibsclaret]

It’s not confidence it’s just that he’s not a goal scorer. Any striker can miss chances but he takes the wrong option because of lack of instinct. When you look at for example Payton, Austin or even Ings they have a natural instinct in terms of where to be and what type of finish to make.

The 2 chances at Preston have to hit the target as does the one at home against Oxford (I think). You can’t miss the target on all 3 the keeper has to be tested. The chance yesterday is a bit different but was a complete lack of composure rather than confidence. A proper finisher understands that the keeper is on no man’s land and you take it round him.

[bumba]

Agree try Foster through the middle again but what's the obsession with fitting Flemming in by playing him in a 10?
Flemming in a 10 means no Brownhill/Hannibal.....not for me thanks.
Flemming needs to start earning his place he's been poor for weeks now

[Elizabeth]

There's goals in him because he is getting in the right positions every game. He isn't pulling the trigger at the moment and clearly isn't a prolific goalscorer by any stretch of the imagination.
With things being as tight as they are for automatic I would not rule out him getting 2-3 important goals between now and the end of the season.

[Silkyskills1]

There's goals in him because he is getting in the right positions every game. He isn't pulling the trigger at the moment and clearly isn't a prolific goalscorer by any stretch of the imagination.
With things being as tight as they are for automatic I would not rule out him getting 2-3 important goals between now and the end of the season.

Playing up front he is expected to score goals. Unfortunately he doesn't. Thought the second of his missed chances last night was a clear case of little or no confidence. That's vital for any player, especially so for a striker because they may only get an odd opportunity to save the game or win the game. Coaching can help a player with almost anything but I don't include confidence in that. I was willing him to put away both opportunities but honestly felt that he wouldn't.

[Stayingup]

He has some pace Foster though he doesn't apprear to be a natural goal scorer like for example Charlie Austin. BUT if we play a more direct and quicker game and use the laong ball (Shelvey) as we did in the second half last night, then he will be a good asset. So long as others are scoring and he is doing his bit.

[Bada Bing]

Foster isn't a number 9 and that's why Parker doesn't play him there.

[Tufty]

Fails in his job too often is the reality. Maybe one day it'll a come together and he'll be a natural goal scorer but I remember his misses more than his great (?) goals he's scored. (Someone will have to remind me of them).

Seemed the simple and obvious thing to sell the keeper with a feigned shot, drag it round him and slot it into an empty net.

I wish him well though.

[Goalkeeper]

I wish him well too, but one league goal so far this season isn't encouraging. Neither is the fact that he only scored 8 goals in his best ever season.
VK must have bought him for other attributes that in all honesty, we are yet to see.
I think the posts that anticipate a goal deluge from him are more in hope than any anticipation.

[Lew200100]

Really sorry but I put £20.00 on him to be top goal scorer this season. Generally my predictions have career ending injuries so doing quite well to be honest even though he’s only scored one I still live in hope.

[Tricky Trevor]

IMO Flemming and foster will never start the same game in their natural positions.

Mainly because SP likes two wide men to use the full width of the pitch. Two strikers between them would make us 4-2-4. It’s not happening. Our number 10 whether Hannibal or Brownhill is a workhorse closing down wherever possible. Far to late in the season for changing the system, they are embedded in it.

[aggi]

Well here's his chance.

Hopefully he can take it

[Funkydrummer]

Well here's his chance.

Hopefully he can take it

I wouldn't hold your breath to be fair.