Lyle Foster

[FCBurnley]

Be interesting to see WW playing in a VK team. He is light years ahead of Foster in my book. Just sayin

[HistoricalClaret]

Be interesting to see WW playing in a VK team. He is light years ahead of Foster in my book. Just sayin

not in his personality or his attitude he isnt Foster is also just faster thus his pressing is more effective

[equinox]

Gray's debut was Bristol City away. But you could immediately tell he had something. Still one of my favourite Burnley players at this level.

His home debut then, who was that against? Brilliant that game.

[Rileybobs]

No I don’t think that tells any story. Kompany admitted he wasn’t expecting anything from him or Obafemi during this period, as they were ‘5/6 months behind the others’, though the injury to Jay has given them more game time.

It’s your opinion that he’s been poor, there are also many others in this thread alone that say he’s not been poor and has in fact been okay.

I also don’t think it’s that fair to use his price tag against him, albeit I knew this would happen when we signed him. Sometimes you have to pay slightly above market rate (Foster, January, Westerlo top scorer and key player, just signed a 4 year deal), sometimes you get away with paying below because of certain situations (Cullen 2.5m final year of contract).

Finally, in answer to your question, I think we will sign another ‘1st choice striker’ who’s perhaps already proven - hence the continued links with Gyokeres, and Foster / Obafemi will play either the second striker role or be used in rotation as they develop. Remember Barnes is leaving and Dervisoglu won’t be here, so that suddenly cuts two strikers from the roster.

It is my opinion yes, but I can’t take seriously an opinion that Foster has been any better than poor to date. Even those giving the most praise are basically making excuses for his performances, some of which are justified.

I’m not using his price tag against him, he is by far and away our biggest signing this season, and he was signed in January when we knew with a relatively high degree of certainty that we would be playing Premier League football next season. Foster was signed to lead our line next season so it is perfectly reasonable to judge him in line with his price tag.

Put it this way, if he was on loan and we had an option to buy for €10m, how many of you would advocate the signing now?

[equinox]

'Put it this way, if he was on loan and we had an option to buy for €10m, how many of you would advocate the signing now?'

Cat amongst the pigeons.

I'll go first: Nope

[Ampth7]

It’s fair to say that Gray was good for us, but it also goes to show how quickly that can completely change. I personally see no reason why Foster can’t become a real asset to this team whether it’s next season or the following year. Again, I thought the lad did well yesterday and if he had had a chance and scored, this conversation would be very different.
I do appreciate that he didn’t score yesterday, but as I said earlier, he didn’t get a chance unlike Benny and Churlinov who both fluffed their opportunities. He is adapting to a new country, culture, a new style of football and at a higher level than he’s played before all at the grand old age of 22 years old!! A few more games this season followed by a solid pre-season and let’s see where he’s at?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Be interesting to see WW playing in a VK team. He is light years ahead of Foster in my book. Just sayin

WW has proven this season he is exactly the wrong type of striker for us.

We need a goalscorer next season we can’t hang on to just hard workers.

[RVclaret]

It is my opinion yes, but I can’t take seriously an opinion that Foster has been any better than poor to date. Even those giving the most praise are basically making excuses for his performances, some of which are justified.

I’m not using his price tag against him, he is by far and away our biggest signing this season, and he was signed in January when we knew with a relatively high degree of certainty that we would be playing Premier League football next season. Foster was signed to lead our line next season so it is perfectly reasonable to judge him in line with his price tag.

Put it this way, if he was on loan and we had an option to buy for €10m, how many of you would advocate the signing now?

I don't think he was signed to definitely lead the line and surely we would always be targeting another striker with promotion secured. I think he was signed knowing Barnes would be leaving (and Jay deteriorating it seems) and it's better to get him up to speed with the system and country 6 months ahead of time. Kompany's positional play system takes time to get to grips with, particularly that central role. Kompany has chosen to pull the trigger at that fee, it's not on the player regardless, who fans should support.

I'm not sure that question is fair/relevant right now, given there's just been 2 league starts to go off, so we'll have to revisit it later on.

[equinox]

I've said it previously, I genuinely believe he was bought to fill the one gap in our team STRAIGHT AWAY hence the outlay.

Some managers struggle to fill certain positions, Dyche couldn't find a winger for love nor money, he ended up having to convert players (Boyd was a number 10, Arfield a midfielder). Maybe VK has a blind spot where centre forwards are concerned?

[Ampth7]

'Put it this way, if he was on loan and we had an option to buy for €10m, how many of you would advocate the signing now?'

Cat amongst the pigeons.

I'll go first: Nope

But he is with us and we have spent that money, so why write him off as a loss just yet?

[fidelcastro]

I've said it previously, I genuinely believe he was bought to fill the one gap in our team STRAIGHT AWAY hence the outlay.

Some managers struggle to fill certain positions, Dyche couldn't find a winger for love nor money, he ended up having to convert players (Boyd was a number 10, Arfield a midfielder). Maybe VK has a blind spot where centre forwards are concerned?

I still can't decide whether you're on the wind-up or just completely clueless.

[Nori1958]

I still can't decide whether you're on the wind-up or just completely clueless.

Based on previous posts, I'll go with your second option

[equinox]

I do treat this forum as a bit of a laugh, I'll admit, but I do try to be constructive at times.

[Captain Obvious]

If he’d scored 25 goals this season, nobody would be questioning him.

[fatboy47]

Suffice to say that there's a contributer to this thread who opined that Ings wasn't up to scratch for the strikers job in our first full championship season under Dyche.

Few people challenged his wisdom.

He offered this opinion having seen about as much of Ings as we've seen of Foster.

[Papabendi]

Suffice to say that there's a contributer to this thread who opined that Ings wasn't up to scratch for the strikers job in our first full championship season under Dyche.

Few people challenged his wisdom.

He offered this opinion having seen about as much of Ings as we've seen of Foster.

That's a fair shout about Ings who had not shown much up until an extended run in the team. However, he did have an injury set back.

[fidelcastro]

...where as you fidel, you're just a patronising arsehole who patrols the forum with the image of CT's backside embedded I'm your thoughts.

Shows how much you know then. I stopped posting for a while because of a comment to me from CT which was bizarre in the extreme.
I'm capable of my own thoughts, thanks.

You are too, but you always go for the extreme option, which is hardly going to endear you to fellow posters.

[Nori1958]

...where as you fidel, you're just a patronising arsehole who patrols the forum with the image of CT's backside embedded I'm your thoughts.

Fat fingers meant I pressed the like button instead of report....I certainly don't like the post

[fidelcastro]

Fat fingers meant I pressed the like button instead of report....I certainly don't like the post

You can always unlike it!

Either way you're forgiven!

[fidelcastro]

Suffice to say that there's a contributer to this thread who opined that Ings wasn't up to scratch for the strikers job in our first full championship season under Dyche.

Few people challenged his wisdom.

He offered this opinion having seen about as much of Ings as we've seen of Foster.

It wasn't me!

[burnleymik]

VK has to start him for the remaining games to see if he is going to cut it because as it stands I am not convinced he is going to be our answer for the Prem. Same with Twine.

Back to Foster he just isn't getting into the right places and imposing himself up top. He is a big, quick lad, but never seems to be in the right place, which is key for a striker. Still plenty of time, given his age, but so far I was hoping we would have seen much more from him.

[Carwin261]

How will there be a lot more space? Big step up is the PL especially opposition defences - it's why it's a big challenge for forwards at clubs like ours to score double figures in a season.

The reason they’ll be more space is that no team will set up against us as the teams over the last couple of months have ,the likes of Benson was having to beat 3,or 4 defenders most of the time ,ok he may be against a better fullback,but if he gets a one on one we’ve a chance .

[Nori1958]

You can always unlike it!

Either way you're forgiven!

I didn't know you could do that

[fidelcastro]

I didn't know you could do that

Once you've "liked" a post, you then have the option to "unlike" it.

Happy to help

[Walkerpool]

I haven't been totally blown away with Foster but if he's good enough for Vincent Kompany he will do for me.

[DCWat]

That's a fair shout about Ings who had not shown much up until an extended run in the team. However, he did have an injury set back.

However Foster has moved to a new country, new league and different expectations.

Or are mitigating factors not allowed in this instance and thus, we should write him off already?

[Papabendi]

all fair comments DCWat. Foster will hopefully come good. Right now, the signs aren't great.

[SussexDon1inIreland]

VK must have seen something in Lyle and we need to get behind them both.

UTC

[NRC]

Two things for me,

Firstly, very tangential to Foster, but relates to what his skill-set seems to me is this - I would like to see an analysis of our win or even goal ratio against teams employing a low press. Without the benefit of such a report my assumption would be is it’s the one thing we struggle against the most - we’re relatively static and we recycle a lot via our CB/Cullen/FB with the bulk of the team in front of them. This makes Foster “just a body” in front of them. If he triggers a run it is often not seen, so there’s a cycle from the player to get back onside. None of this benefits his pace

Secondly, it won’t be like this in the PL, as has been alluded to. When we’re in possession we’ll be playing more in the center-line to 25 yard line, and not where we are today which is the final third, closer to the penalty box. This should play to Foster’s apparent strengths

It has often been the case this season that I would like to see us press less in the final third against teams applying a low block - pull back out, allowing our pace wingers….. and a CF to have more space in which to operate

[CoolClaret]

Worth remembering that Kompany has actually played against Foster in a league game for Anderlecht so he must have saw something in him then.

He will come good!

[KRBFC]

Feel like I’ve seen him on the pitch a few times and still no idea if he’s any good or not, he’s so ineffective. Just hasn’t done anything and the only time I see him involved is jumping to contest a header

[fatboy47]

Worth remembering that Kompany has actually played against Foster

I was presuming half the contributers to this thread had played against him tbh.

Given that KRBFC isnt a fan I'd suggest his value just doubled.

[tiger76]

Feel like I’ve seen him on the pitch a few times and still no idea if he’s any good or not, he’s so ineffective. Just hasn’t done anything and the only time I see him involved is jumping to contest a header

Well he must have been effective in some games as he has a goal and an assist to his name, I do agree he can often be invisible in games though which is a slight concern.

Yesterday was only his 2nd start though so it is incredibly early to fully judge him just yet.

If Tella is out for a few games as feared then Lyle will get his opportunity to show what he can offer, up to him whether he can take that opportunity or not.

[Vegas Claret]

needs a few weeks in the gym

[jedi_master]

He’s not impressed me, I can only be honest on that. That’s not writing the bloke off, how can we as he hasn’t played much? We can only judge on what we see though and as I opined in my ratings from the Reading game, I worry that stepping up another league when he’s barely looking threatening in this league is going to be a huge challenge for him. I don’t see what his strength is from an attacking perspective yet, albeit he’s shown himself capable of holding the ball up and laying it off at times.

He has to be given more opportunities between now and the summer from the start to give us more of an idea (not at Ewood though please). I think the thing to bare in mind though is that we will undoubtedly be signing a number one choice centre forward this summer. Foster has not been signed to be that player, no way, no how. We need to view him via that lens as opposed to the goalscorer we’ve brought in to keep us up.

[claretspice]

I think there's two separate questions here.

The first is whether Foster has thus far shown everything you'd want in a £9m+ centre forward. The answer to that, quite obviously, is no. He hasn't hit the ground running as we would have ideally wanted (no matter what Kompany has said about bedding him in). A fast start like Benson or Zaroury made helps everyone.

The second question has to parts: whether it's fair to judge him yet or write him off, and indeed whether he's shown glimpses of ability to suggest he will, ultimately, show what we'd want from a £9m+ centre forward. It's clearly bonkers to write off someone so new to England, English football and this team at this early stage - he's still been in the country less than 100 days, and is a very long way from home and so adapting an awful lot of things all at once. So before we go any further, we can conclude that threads like this which start "it's simply not working" - with the inference that because it isn't now, it never will - say more about the opening poster than about the merits of Foster as a footballer. It shows a crazy level of impatience. The argument that the fact he's not played more is itself a damning indictment strikes me as nonsense because (i) it ignores the fact that he's settling into the country; and (ii) it completely overlooks the fact that Ashley Barnes has been in outstanding form this calendar year (as has Tella) and deserves the centre forward shirt.

It also seems to me there are obvious signs of ability. He's a big, powerful unit and shown a nice sympathetic touch to his link up game now that he's come to terms with the fact he'll be buffeted all over the place by defenders in England whilst he's trying to link the game. He took his goal very well against Wigan and has shown good pace on the relatively rare occasions he's had the opportunity to run in behind or to run at defenders. I also thought that against Wigan, he showed really neat movement - particularly once he'd scored.

That may in itself betray the real concern that I have from the limited viewing of Foster - the difference in in his game in the limited time after he scored v Wigan was very notable, and that suggests (as does his somewhat streaky goalscoring record through his career to date) that he is a confidence player. For much of his very limited time on the pitch for us he's seemed a bit diffident, unsure of where to run in our build up play (understandable) but also a little hesitant to go and dominate the 6 yard box when the ball comes across. The positive way of looking at that is it's something that with good man-management he can add to his game, and if he does he'll blossom - and besides all that stuff about him still adapting to the English game absolutely applies. The more cautious worry would be that the catch 22 with needing a run in the side to gain confidence is that you need to earn that run in the first place. But I'm fairly sure that it's for that reason that VK is (rightly) looking to give him and other similar players game time between now and the end of the season, even if that comes at the expense of our record breaking ambitions.

[aggi]

I thought he did well yesterday. It’s a shame he’s now the scapegoat for the lack of quality from Benson and Churlinov from wide and lack of support cast in the box through the middle. What did people expect him to do? Take it past both centre backs and slot it home or score a worldy from 30/40 yards instead?

In the past two games he's had excellent chances to score with a header and badly missed them both.

[KRBFC]

I was presuming half the contributers to this thread had played against him tbh.

Given that KRBFC isnt a fan I'd suggest his value just doubled.

I never said I wasn’t a fan, he clearly needs more time and a run of games in a settled side, I’m just commenting on his performances so far.


Posters were quick to slag off Wout when he wasn’t scoring often (in a higher division and poorer side) but Wout wasn’t invisible on the pitch and always found a way to get himself involved in the game.

Why wasn’t Wout given this call for time whilst he was adapting to a new club in a new country?

[claretspice]

In the past two games he's had excellent chances to score with a header and badly missed them both.

That's a little harsh as I think he did pretty well with the header against Sheff U (it was fired across and he had limited reaction time, and easy to get too much on it) and would have scored but for a deflection.

However - generally he's looked to me as though the number of crosses in English football, and the way boxes are packed, is something he's having to adapt to. He looks like someone who has made his name in leagues where there's less emphasis on that. It is often said that goalkeepers from those environments can look very uncertain with the lateral ball in England; the same logically must apply to centre forwards in reverse.

[agreenwood]

The OP has form for posting these kind of posts, but I’ll bite.

Lyle has played 483 minutes of football for Burnley. That’s the equivalent of 5.3 matches.

He’s pulled up no trees so far, but in the grand scheme of things, he’s also hardly played. When he has, it’s been in weakened sides (with the arguable exception of Sheff U) or at the tale end of games we’d already won.

[bfcjg]

He just needs time to blend in, if VK sees the potential that will do me.

[Papabendi]

I think there's two separate questions here.

The first is whether Foster has thus far shown everything you'd want in a £9m+ centre forward. The answer to that, quite obviously, is no. He hasn't hit the ground running as we would have ideally wanted (no matter what Kompany has said about bedding him in). A fast start like Benson or Zaroury made helps everyone.

The second question has to parts: whether it's fair to judge him yet or write him off, and indeed whether he's shown glimpses of ability to suggest he will, ultimately, show what we'd want from a £9m+ centre forward. It's clearly bonkers to write off someone so new to England, English football and this team at this early stage - he's still been in the country less than 100 days, and is a very long way from home and so adapting an awful lot of things all at once. So before we go any further, we can conclude that threads like this which start "it's simply not working" - with the inference that because it isn't now, it never will - say more about the opening poster than about the merits of Foster as a footballer. It shows a crazy level of impatience. The argument that the fact he's not played more is itself a damning indictment strikes me as nonsense because (i) it ignores the fact that he's settling into the country; and (ii) it completely overlooks the fact that Ashley Barnes has been in outstanding form this calendar year (as has Tella) and deserves the centre forward shirt.

It also seems to me there are obvious signs of ability. He's a big, powerful unit and shown a nice sympathetic touch to his link up game now that he's come to terms with the fact he'll be buffeted all over the place by defenders in England whilst he's trying to link the game. He took his goal very well against Wigan and has shown good pace on the relatively rare occasions he's had the opportunity to run in behind or to run at defenders. I also thought that against Wigan, he showed really neat movement - particularly once he'd scored.

That may in itself betray the real concern that I have from the limited viewing of Foster - the difference in in his game in the limited time after he scored v Wigan was very notable, and that suggests (as does his somewhat streaky goalscoring record through his career to date) that he is a confidence player. For much of his very limited time on the pitch for us he's seemed a bit diffident, unsure of where to run in our build up play (understandable) but also a little hesitant to go and dominate the 6 yard box when the ball comes across. The positive way of looking at that is it's something that with good man-management he can add to his game, and if he does he'll blossom - and besides all that stuff about him still adapting to the English game absolutely applies. The more cautious worry would be that the catch 22 with needing a run in the side to gain confidence is that you need to earn that run in the first place. But I'm fairly sure that it's for that reason that VK is (rightly) looking to give him and other similar players game time between now and the end of the season, even if that comes at the expense of our record breaking ambitions.

You certainly know how to get to the point. If something is not working it's not working. Not sure what that says about me at all other than I don't need analysis paralysis to reach a decision. You'll have seen my other comments. Maybe he comes good maybe he doesn't but for 9m he's currently miles off it. Dara Costelloe made more impact imo.

[Bosscat]

You certainly know how to get to the point. If something is not working it's not working. Not sure what that says about me at all other than I don't need analysis paralysis to reach a decision. You'll have seen my other comments. Maybe he comes good maybe he doesn't but for 9m he's currently miles off it. Dara Costelloe made more impact imo.

He isn't at Bradford according to my m8 in the Pub ... not impressed with Dara C at all

[claretspice]

You certainly know how to get to the point. If something is not working it's not working. Not sure what that says about me at all other than I don't need analysis paralysis to reach a decision. You'll have seen my other comments. Maybe he comes good maybe he doesn't but for 9m he's currently miles off it. Dara Costelloe made more impact imo.

These things are nuanced, and fools ignore the nuance. AG neatly sums up why context matters above. The attention seeking hyperbole doesn't do anyone any favours.

[boatshed bill]

Lyle has played 483 minutes of football for Burnley. That’s the equivalent of 5.3 matches.

He’s pulled up no trees so far, but in the grand scheme of things, he’s also hardly played. When he has, it’s been in weakened sides (with the arguable exception of Sheff U) or at the tale end of games we’d already won.

He's come in at a time when, in my opinion, our forwards (Tella excepted) are not playing very well.
it can't help.

[ksrclaret]

You certainly know how to get to the point. If something is not working it's not working. Not sure what that says about me at all other than I don't need analysis paralysis to reach a decision. You'll have seen my other comments. Maybe he comes good maybe he doesn't but for 9m he's currently miles off it. Dara Costelloe made more impact imo.

That’s a typical response to a post that very comprehensively takes you apart - resort to mocking the volume of writing.

He’s got you absolutely bang on, by the way. As a few others posters have today, one in particular.

[Papabendi]

I suspect this is going to be a long thread.

[Papabendi]

That’s a typical response to a post that very comprehensively takes you apart - resort to mocking the volume of writing.

He’s got you absolutely bang on, by the way. As a few others posters have today, one in particular.

Not you again

[ksrclaret]

Not you again

LondonClaret23, who occasionally posts on this board, sends his regards as well. We both agreed with the post (now vanished) from earlier today.

[Papabendi]

LondonClaret23, who occasionally posts on this board, sends his regards as well. We both agreed with the post (now vanished) from earlier today.

There’s generally a good reason why posts vanish.