Lyle Foster

[Rileybobs]

7.5 goal contributions per season is not a good number for an attacker. Also, it’s curious and quite obvious why goal contributions are being used rather than goals - it’s also quite misleading as to the attacking output of a player as often an assist can be quite incidental to the goal itself.

[taio]

Not great stats

[billyhamilton82]

7.5 goal contributions per season is not a good number for an attacker. Also, it’s curious and quite obvious why goal contributions are being used rather than goals - it’s also quite misleading as to the attacking output of a player as often an assist can be quite incidental to the goal itself.

"Quite obvious" because most of last season he was played on the wing, so apologies I thought it would be a fairer comparison?

Obviously not, I'm not fussed either way, it is what it is.

Last season Foster scored 2 in 17 starts (1 in 8) (playing mostly on the wing)

In the Premier League he scored 5 in 22 starts. (1 in 4)

Total 7 goals in 39 starts

*He did also get a few assists, but they don't count.

[fidelcastro]

I think it's fair to say he's not getting better... Yet.

[Rileybobs]

"Quite obvious" because most of last season he was played on the wing, so apologies I thought it would be a fairer comparison?

Obviously not, I'm not fussed either way, it is what it is.

Last season Foster scored 2 in 17 starts (1 in 8) (playing mostly on the wing)

In the Premier League he scored 5 in 22 starts. (1 in 4)

Total 7 goals in 39 starts

*He did also get a few assists, but they don't count.

Foster has scored 9 goals since joining Burnley 2.5 years ago. It’s obviously nowhere near good enough. Assists are being used because ‘goal contributions’ will be a more favourable stat for any player, but his goal contributions are also nowhere near good enough in the time he’s been with us.

I would love Foster to prove me wrong, but I’ve seen so much that I’m incredibly confident he won’t. I find some of the excuses made for him on this forum to be quite odd and the predictions that he’ll somehow turn into a completely different player next season to be delusional and not based on any evidence whatsoever.

[Bow]

A strange signing at the time considering the decent fee we paid, and hasn’t been anywhere near the level we need.

Ship out on loan this year, and take it from there.

[RVclaret]

Foster has scored 9 goals since joining Burnley 2.5 years ago. It’s obviously nowhere near good enough. Assists are being used because ‘goal contributions’ will be a more favourable stat for any player, but his goal contributions are also nowhere near good enough in the time he’s been with us.

I would love Foster to prove me wrong, but I’ve seen so much that I’m incredibly confident he won’t. I find some of the excuses made for him on this forum to be quite odd and the predictions that he’ll somehow turn into a completely different player next season to be delusional and not based on any evidence whatsoever.

Let’s hope he does the same as last time when you were saying the same things about him.

We’re a totally different prospect with him in the team, he looks like our most clinical finisher so we need to keep him fit. Unbelievable transformation from what we saw last season.

[Rileybobs]

Let’s hope he does the same as last time when you were saying the same things about him.

When was this post from please?

[billyhamilton82]

Foster has scored 9 goals since joining Burnley 2.5 years ago. It’s obviously nowhere near good enough. Assists are being used because ‘goal contributions’ will be a more favourable stat for any player, but his goal contributions are also nowhere near good enough in the time he’s been with us.

I would love Foster to prove me wrong, but I’ve seen so much that I’m incredibly confident he won’t. I find some of the excuses made for him on this forum to be quite odd and the predictions that he’ll somehow turn into a completely different player next season to be delusional and not based on any evidence whatsoever.

No excuses here, just trying my best to support a player who plays for my club rather than drag him down .

Its all about opinions but my outlook is and always will be optimistic and positive about a player who currently plays for Burnley.

What's the point otherwise? just to be proved right in a pointless debate. That's a little sad isn't it?

Compared to what I've watched in a Burnley shirt over the years Foster may as well be the reincarnation of Maradonna.

[RVclaret]

When was this post from please?

When he was playing really well in the Prem.

[Rileybobs]

No excuses here, just trying my best to support a player who plays for my club rather than drag him down .

Its all about opinions but my outlook is and always will be optimistic and positive about a player who currently plays for Burnley.

What's the point otherwise? just to be proved right in a pointless debate. That's a little sad isn't it?

Compared to what I've watched in a Burnley shirt over the years Foster may as well be the reincarnation of Maradonna.

I try my best to support all of our players, always have done. I’m always supportive of all of the players when at the game. But there’s a difference in being supportive and being realistic. I don’t think it’s supportive to say that Foster’s attacking numbers have been good since joining Burnley for example. I also don’t think it’s supportive to think he’s going to be a revelation next season, because it’s based purely on blind faith.

[Rileybobs]

When he was playing really well in the Prem.

I seem to recall that being a very small run of games nearly two years ago and I’ve changed my opinion of Foster’s ability since then because, well, I’ve watched him play a number of times in those following 2 years. I think that’s more sane than those who still cling to those 4 or 5 games where he looked to be at the required standard, in spite of all of the contradictory evidence.

[taio]

I seem to recall that being a very small run of games nearly two years ago and I’ve changed my opinion of Foster’s ability since then because, well, I’ve watched him play a number of times in those following 2 years. I think that’s more sane than those who still cling to those 4 or 5 games where he looked to be at the required standard, in spite of all of the contradictory evidence.

It's understandable you thinking he turned a corner having some good performances nearly two years ago. Unfortunately, as you suggest, his overall performances haven't been where we need them to be.

[RVclaret]

I seem to recall that being a very small run of games nearly two years ago and I’ve changed my opinion of Foster’s ability since then because, well, I’ve watched him play a number of times in those following 2 years. I think that’s more sane than those who still cling to those 4 or 5 games where he looked to be at the required standard, in spite of all of the contradictory evidence.

Well it was more than 4 or 5 games. Your take at the time was very accurate, he was a massive miss for us, as he was playing so well, and apart from the outstanding performance at Villa in December, he never rekindled that form. I personally think the talent is there, but either head and/or physical isn’t (we already have evidence of both). Of course, that in itself is an issue, and why we need another striker this season.

[Rileybobs]

Well it was more than 4 or 5 games. Your take at the time was very accurate, he was a massive miss for us, as he was playing so well, and apart from the outstanding performance at Villa in December, he never rekindled that form. I personally think the talent is there, but either head and/or physical isn’t (we already have evidence of both). Of course, that in itself is an issue, and why we need another striker this season.

I honestly don’t think that it was more than 4 or 5 games, but if you say so. I also don’t think the talent is there, he obviously has some talent or he wouldn’t have made it this far in his career. But he doesn’t have the talent to be a successful PL player and I’m very confident that you won’t be digging up this post in future to prove me wrong.

I agree we need another striker though, and we’ve needed one for quite some time.

[ksrclaret]

If we play the sort of 3421 formation that's been discussed, I genuinely think it's worth giving him a chance in the left sided 'no 10' slot. With Flemming up top dropping deep, he and Bruun Larsen on the right side are well suited to attacking the space behind.

I totally understand those people though that have had enough and would rather us cut our losses. Aside from a handful of games where he really did look PL material, he's not even looked good enough for the Championship. He's had one of the oddest Burnley careers that I can remember.

[taio]

Well it was more than 4 or 5 games. Your take at the time was very accurate, he was a massive miss for us, as he was playing so well, and apart from the outstanding performance at Villa in December, he never rekindled that form. I personally think the talent is there, but either head and/or physical isn’t (we already have evidence of both). Of course, that in itself is an issue, and why we need another striker this season.

I thought it was the first five games of the season too. He played well in those games and was ok in the following two before a period on the sidelines.

[RVclaret]

I thought it was the first five games of the season too. He played well in those games and was ok in the following two before a period on the sidelines.

It was 3 goals and 2 assists in the first 7. Should have been 4 and 3 had the Forest goal been allowed, and Luca scored an open net chance at Brentford.

That’s a goal contribution either almost every game or every game, depending if you include the hypotheticals. He was playing very well, which is why those, including ones who thought he was a useless player, said he looked completely transformed.

[Targetman]

A strange signing at the time considering the decent fee we paid, and hasn’t been anywhere near the level we need.

Ship out on loan this year, and take it from there.

Who would you play in his place as a striker?

[Rileybobs]

It was 3 goals and 2 assists in the first 7. Should have been 4 and 3 had the Forest goal been allowed, and Luca scored an open net chance at Brentford.

That’s a goal contribution either almost every game or every game, depending if you include the hypotheticals. He was playing very well, which is why those, including ones who thought he was a useless player, said he looked completely transformed.

If you count the goals that I didn’t score last season then I would have won the PL golden boot.

[Rileybobs]

Who would you play in his place as a striker?

It’s obviously Flemming from our current squad.

[taio]

It was 3 goals and 2 assists in the first 7. Should have been 4 and 3 had the Forest goal been allowed, and Luca scored an open net chance at Brentford.

That’s a goal contribution either almost every game or every game, depending if you include the hypotheticals. He was playing very well, which is why those, including ones who thought he was a useless player, said he looked completely transformed.

You give him a rating of 6 i.e. average for his 6th and 7th game that season

[aggi]

With an open mind checking the stats.

Last Champ season 24-25 stats:

17 starts - 7 goal contributions (playing majority LW)

Premier season 23-24 stats:

22 starts - 8 goal contributions

Total over last two seasons:

39 starts - 15 goal contributions

Has he been worth the £9 million we paid?

Judging by the above stats - Yes

For comparison this year, Flemming

28 starts - 18 goal contributions

[Rileybobs]

It was 3 goals and 2 assists in the first 7. Should have been 4 and 3 had the Forest goal been allowed, and Luca scored an open net chance at Brentford.

That’s a goal contribution either almost every game or every game, depending if you include the hypotheticals. He was playing very well, which is why those, including ones who thought he was a useless player, said he looked completely transformed.

Just to add. Picking a run of 7 games just isn’t a good sample size. I can see a run of 8 PL games later in the season where he had 0 goals and 0 assists - that wouldn’t be a fair representation of Foster either, but it’s more representative of his entire career with us to date.

[warksclaret]

A strange signing at the time considering the decent fee we paid, and hasn’t been anywhere near the level we need.

Ship out on loan this year, and take it from there.

Far bigger priorities in forwards to ship out prior to him. Churlinov, Obefemi are not up to Championship standard. Hountondji luckily has already gone. With a supposed lengthy injury to Amdouini getting rid of Foster (loan or sale) would be ludicrous. For me Barnes is just a mentor, and might prove useful in the final 10 mins of game management. There is no guarrantee we will buy a proper No 9, goal scorer. We have to hope Foster can stay injury free and is "up to it "this season. WE have bigger fish to fry in the next 6 or so weeks

[RVclaret]

Just to add. Picking a run of 7 games just isn’t a good sample size. I can see a run of 8 PL games later in the season where he had 0 goals and 0 assists - that wouldn’t be a fair representation of Foster either, but it’s more representative of his entire career with us to date.

Sure, but it was a time we saw him play to his potential, at the time you agreed. He looked leaner, quicker and sharper. Over the entire season he had more goal contributions than anyone else, despite only featuring in 2/3 of the games. He hasn’t been great in the Champ, and probably should have more output, though I thought he was pretty good in the 2nd half of the season. Unfortunately for him again, he got injured, which speaks to my earlier point.

[Targetman]

It’s obviously Flemming from our current squad.

All season in the Championship many posters on here were saying that Flemming wasn't a striker?

Ok lets say Foster does go out on loan and Flemming gets injured, where do we turn then?

[Rileybobs]

All season in the Championship many posters on here were saying that Flemming wasn't a striker?

Ok lets say Foster does go out on loan and Flemming gets injured, where do we turn then?

Flemming has played as a centre forward for us since signing so I don’t really know what people are on about when they say he’s not a striker. As for who do we turn to, I’d like to think we are looking to sign at least one centre forward this summer.

[BurnleyFC]

Reminds me a bit of the Jutkiewicz situation in that I think Foster put in some good performances last season without getting the rewards with goals, in a very at the time goal shy team. He’s very obviously a confidence player.

I still hope he’ll come good next term.

[fidelcastro]

Some really daft questions being posed now.

Does every thread on here have to descend into farce, even without Jakub?

[Targetman]

Flemming has played as a centre forward for us since signing so I don’t really know what people are on about when they say he’s not a striker. As for who do we turn to, I’d like to think we are looking to sign at least one centre forward this summer.

Well first of all you stepped in and gave an answer to a question that I asked of another poster.

He said Foster should go out on loan, no mention of bringing a striker in.

You are hoping that we sign another striker which is fair enough, but shouldn't we get another striker before sending Foster out on loan?

[Rileybobs]

Well first of all you stepped in and gave an answer to a question that I asked of another poster.

He said Foster should go out on loan, no mention of bringing a striker in.

You are hoping that we sign another striker which is fair enough, but shouldn't we get another striker before sending Foster out on loan?

Sorry for stepping in, I thought it was a public forum?! But yes, we should secure another striker before we send one out on loan. I doubt we’ll loan Foster out anyway as he will still be seen as an adequate squad option.

[Targetman]

Sorry for stepping in, I thought it was a public forum?! But yes, we should secure another striker before we send one out on loan. I doubt we’ll loan Foster out anyway as he will still be seen as an adequate squad option.

You only thought it was a public forum??

[boatshed bill]

You only thought it was a public forum??

It's not, is it?

[Stalbansclaret]

Having just caught up with this thread I honestly can’t see how anyone can seriously argue with Rileybobs’ view of things. We have to keep him and hope as things stand but we really do need another decent striker option in.

[IanMcL]

May he have a wonderful season.

[Bow]

Who would you play in his place as a striker?

A new striker, Fleming, Barnes, someone from the youth team, Bertie Bee.

[Targetman]

A new striker, Fleming, Barnes, someone from the youth team, Bertie Bee.

Yes I'm sure we will be ok in the Premier League with that strike force, particularly with Bertie Bee being an unknown quantity for opposing defenders!

[jlup1980]

Sure, but it was a time we saw him play to his potential, at the time you agreed. He looked leaner, quicker and sharper. Over the entire season he had more goal contributions than anyone else, despite only featuring in 2/3 of the games. He hasn’t been great in the Champ, and probably should have more output, though I thought he was pretty good in the 2nd half of the season. Unfortunately for him again, he got injured, which speaks to my earlier point.

Nobody is doubting he played to his potential for that short run of games. If he played like that 50% of the time you'd give him a chance. He was brilliant for a couple of month, but that's 7 games out of how many? You can't turn up once in every 10 games. If we can get Sargent over the line I can't see anything left here for Lyle. We should be looking to move him on.

[ClaretPete001]

The one thing I would say for Lyle is that he is far more likely to match lasts season's Championship tally in the PL than Flemming is....!

We need a midfielder to play in the pivot with Cullen and a quality striker. Otherwise we will go straight back down.

I don't even see it a matter for conjecture tbh.

[boyyanno]

I think he's really struggled with not featuring consistently and not in his favoured position.

He looked a PL player at the beginning of the last PL campaign and everyone agreed in that run of games he was brilliant. I don't think you just lose it, he needs games and consistency to get back to that level imo, I find it a strange view that his career is suddenly finished and he can never be that player again.

[ClaretPete001]

I think he's really struggled with not featuring consistently and not in his favoured position.

He looked a PL player at the beginning of the last PL campaign and everyone agreed in that run of games he was brilliant. I don't think you just lose it, he needs games and consistency to get back to that level imo, I find it a strange view that his career is suddenly finished and he can never be that player again.

To be fair he's scored 8 goals in 63 games for us and only really scored goals in one season in the Belgian league.

To dismiss that to focus on a very small number of games when we played in a very cavalier manner in the PL is probably the stranger view but that doesn't mean you are wrong.

I hope he comes good and I thought he did well last season but being a decent Championship player doesn't get you a double figure goal tally in the PL.