Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest | England)

Think you can take villa out of the equation having signed ings 

Up top with Rodriguez, against Brighton. Vydra & Barnes on the bench.

Burnley with a very very settled look to their lineup. Are they aging too much, I guess will be the key their season, plus getting a good start for a change.

Clarets took a 2 min lead against Brighton, but unfortunately go down 1-2.
Full game Woodsman. Barnes came on for J-Rod.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxLS8DOcw5Y

Subbed at 75 mins (for J-Rod) as Clarets go down 2-0 at Anfield, after winning there last season (sans fans). Interesting that Dyche kept Barnes on for full 90 mins.

Who was offside for Barne's ruled out goal? Him or the Woodsman?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM68lBY5gxE

Burnley away to Newcastle next. Then Leeds (H), Everton (A), Arsenal (H) & Leicester (A). Struggle through that, and relegation talk will rear again.

Burnley were unlucky not to have opened the scoring - and Barnes was just offside with the disallowed goal.
Liverpool just clinical.

Burnley could be in big trouble. A highly leveraged private equity deal has left the club with large debt, and no signs of any real investment from the new owners. The club is paying off the debt from the takeover with its cash flow. It has disaster written all over it, especially if they get relegated this season.

Burnley played with their team numbered 1-11 in this fixture, very old school and a nice touch 

newzealandpower

Burnley played with their team numbered 1-11 in this fixture, very old school and a nice touch 

From this week's Flying Kiwis.

First team to line-up with shirt numbers 1-11 all in the starting team since Charlton Athletic did so in the second week of the 1998-99 season. And in a 4-4-2 formation, no less. The old dogs will be frothing. Game’s not gone after all.

Not that you’d get that line out of Jurgen Klopp, who wasn’t too happy with the habits of Wood and Barnes in his postgame interview...

Jurgen Klopp: “We always had to be ready for a proper fight. We were today in a really difficult game, because you saw these challenges with Barnes and Wood on Virgil and Joel. I’m not 100 per cent sure if we are really going in the right direction with these kind of decisions. It feels like we go back 10, 15 years back to when we said ‘oh, that was the football we wanted to see’. It’s just too dangerous. The message now is let the game flow, but nobody exactly knows what that means. I like decisions that favour the offensive team, that’s fine. But we have to stick to protecting the players. We cannot deny that. If you like that sort of thing, watch wrestling.”

Bit of an odd one after a game in which there wasn’t a single yellow card handed out. In fact Burnley just broke the record for the most PL games in a row without a red card with this game, 97 and counting beating the previous mark set by Ipswich in the late-90s. There were a couple disallowed goals in the match but rightly so. No controversial moments, nothing violent. Sean Dyche’s response was one of gentle bafflement, though he did say it was poor form from Klopp to single out Barnes & Wood by name like that.

coochiee

newzealandpower

Burnley played with their team numbered 1-11 in this fixture, very old school and a nice touch 

From this week's Flying Kiwis.

First team to line-up with shirt numbers 1-11 all in the starting team since Charlton Athletic did so in the second week of the 1998-99 season. And in a 4-4-2 formation, no less. The old dogs will be frothing. Game’s not gone after all.

Not that you’d get that line out of Jurgen Klopp, who wasn’t too happy with the habits of Wood and Barnes in his postgame interview...

Jurgen Klopp: “We always had to be ready for a proper fight. We were today in a really difficult game, because you saw these challenges with Barnes and Wood on Virgil and Joel. I’m not 100 per cent sure if we are really going in the right direction with these kind of decisions. It feels like we go back 10, 15 years back to when we said ‘oh, that was the football we wanted to see’. It’s just too dangerous. The message now is let the game flow, but nobody exactly knows what that means. I like decisions that favour the offensive team, that’s fine. But we have to stick to protecting the players. We cannot deny that. If you like that sort of thing, watch wrestling.”

Bit of an odd one after a game in which there wasn’t a single yellow card handed out. In fact Burnley just broke the record for the most PL games in a row without a red card with this game, 97 and counting beating the previous mark set by Ipswich in the late-90s. There were a couple disallowed goals in the match but rightly so. No controversial moments, nothing violent. Sean Dyche’s response was one of gentle bafflement, though he did say it was poor form from Klopp to single out Barnes & Wood by name like that.

Up Next: EFL Cup second round vs Newcastle away on Thursday at 6.45am and then it’s Leeds at home in the PL on Monday at 1am (NZT)

The fact that there weren’t any yellow cards handed out is exactly what Klopp took issue with though. To be fair his bigger gripe was less at Wood specifically and more with the refs who were deliberately letting stuff go under their new directive to improve the flow of play a bit more. I took his comments as ‘well obviously that’s how the game is going to go if the refs aren’t calling fouls anymore’ rather than a huge dig at the individuals. 

Klopp whinging about the refs again. Who saw that coming?

Burnley beat Newcastle on pens 4-3 (score 0-0 after NT), in the League Cup. Full game Wood, who as seems custom now took the first pen and converted it.

Woodsy with the goal (got a cheeky toe on it to deflect past Meslier) against his old club Leeds.

1-0 Burnley on the hour mark.

A cool little piece of history for Wood too - he scores the 30,000th goal in the Premier League era!

Not to be for Burnley and the Woodsman. Bamford grabs one back for Leeds and it finishes 1-1 at Turf Moore.

I think I saw some person describe his goal as the most Burnley thing ever. I can't say I disagree 😂

List of milestone goals in the Premier League.

E99vtVMWEAETUzH.jpeg 162.29 KB

YoungHeart

Not to be for Burnley and the Woodsman. Bamford grabs one back for Leeds and it finishes 1-1 at Turf Moore.

I think I saw some person describe his goal as the most Burnley thing ever. I can't say I disagree 😂

List of milestone goals in the Premier League.

E99vtVMWEAETUzH.jpeg 162.29 KB

That's a pretty good list to be part of!

Really surprised there weren’t more transfer rumors around him. Four consecutive seasons of ten plus goals isn’t exactly an abundant quality in the league. 

From this week's Flying Kiwis. New signing should be easy to spot on the pitch when watching Burnley.

Burnley have completed the signing of Ivorian international winger Max Cornet however so there’s a bit of excitement about him, especially from a striker like Wood hoping to dine out on the service. There’s only a day left in the transfer window so things will move fast and elements of this article could go out of date quickly... there’ll be a Flying Kiwis Transfer Season Roundup in a day or two to cover all that. This bad boy’s all about the games.

Didn't have the greatest of games. Pretty quiet but missed a header (literally missed the ball) with an almost open goal in the first half, and for one of Evertons goals he was back in defence and lost the guy he was marking. Also was ruled offside when one of his teammates thought he had scored...

Leading the line with Barnes against the Gunners at Turf Moor.

Olympics semifinal rematch with Wood upfront and Tomiyasu playing for Arsenal.

Barnes continuing to look a discontent and frustrated figure after an offside goal chalked off a game or two ago. 

martinb

Olympics semifinal rematch with Wood upfront and Tomiyasu playing for Arsenal.

Olympic quarter final, but otherwise yes.

coochiee

martinb

Olympics semifinal rematch with Wood upfront and Tomiyasu playing for Arsenal.

Olympic quarter final, but otherwise yes.

 
Heh enthusiasm. Unfortunately, despite Saka looking a shade of his previous lively self (though he did win the foul leading to the goal) Arsenal have come into the game and been the better team. Tomiyasu had a nice dribble and drive forward into open space there leading to a period of attack. Burnley had some good moments early on and are looking for the ball in the air to Barnes and Wood in the box. No chances for the Woodsman yet, Barnes a couple of half looks and a yellow card and McNeil also not quite satisfied with his game. The game’s not over, but with Arsenal growing in confidence and a goal to the good already things are definitely in their favour. Burnley need some luck or inspiration to get back in it. 

Finishes with the same half time score 1-0 to Arsenal. Arsenal were poor and Burnley was able to put a lot of pressure on them in the second half, but despite all the strikers getting some half chances, they really didn’t fashion a clear cut opportunity that their pressure might have warranted. Wood subbed at 81st minute mark. 

A peno given and then rightly chalked off as the keeper had got a faint touch to the ball added to the home fans frustration.

Burnley with a 4-1 win over League Two Rochdale at Turf Moor in the League Cup.
J-Rod with all 4 goals for the Clarets! He started up top with Vydra.

Woodsman subbed on at 77 mins, straight after Rodriguez scored his 4th.

coochiee

Burnley with a 4-1 win over League Two Rochdale at Turf Moor in the League Cup.
J-Rod with all 4 goals for the Clarets! He started up top with Vydra.

Woodsman subbed on at 77 mins, straight after Rodriguez scored his 4th.

It will be interesting who Burnley start vs Leicester on Sat (early Sun NZT). J-Rod and Wood don't compliment each other that well but after scoring 4 it's hard to not but J-Rod in the first team.. and Wood hasn't been in good form this season.

I'm thinking J-Rod and Wood (Barnes hasn't been doing well lately) this weekend, but Vydra/J-Rod has to be a possibility too if Wood goes a few more games without scoring.

Also worth noting, despite the score card it wasn't an easy win for Burnley, they were actually down 1-0 a few mins into the second half until J-Rod scored a hattrick in the space of 15 mins or so (and his 4th later on),

Wood has a stoppage time winner ruled out for offside by cms. Gutting. 
Tough to take for Burnley. Great finish in off the inside of the post too.

Still points 2-2 against Leicester.

martinb

Wood has a stoppage time winner ruled out for offside by cms. Gutting. 
Tough to take for Burnley. Great finish in off the inside of the post too.

Still points 2-2 against Leicester.

No longer the whitest team in the EPL? Great strike Cornet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbAvhFnI_Ug
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/126496990/premier-league-thats-life-chris-wood-philosophical-after-var-denies-burnley-goal

Very unlucky Wood. He started up top with Vydra (replaced at 75 mins by Barnes). Presumably J-Rod after his 4 goals midweek, injured.

Burnley 2nd last, host bottom Norwich next weekend.

Up front with Vydra as Burnley (2nd last) host bottom Norwich.

Subbed off at 80 mins for Barnes in a 0-0 draw against Norwich. Vydra replaced early at 35 mins for J-Rod.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiodeIo6_7M

Burnley 3rd last. Away to Man City after the FIFA break. Looks like a now all too typical Clarets slow season start, with relegation fears.

Woodsman (1 goal in 7 EPL starts) who got a yellow, hopefully saving some goals for Bahrain.

Lone Ranger up front (first time this season for Burnley?), as Dyche likely gets realistic & parks the bus at the Etihad against Man City.

Subbed off at 82 mins for J-Rod as Clarets go down 2-0 to the Citizens (3rd). Same score when Wood came off.

Burnley 2nd last. Next up a trip to the Saints.

Starting to get some angst on the Burnley forums for lack of goals this year. Personally I thought he had a good first half, winning a ton of headers and holding the  ball up when isolated. Second half not so good but I think that was tiredness after playing as the sole attacker first half plus returning from All Whites. He's been a bit unlucky too, a few 50/50 pen shouts this season he/Burnley haven't got.. A close offside goal ruled out last week, this week was through one on one and ref blew his whistle for a foul when a teammate was taken out instead of playing advantage. 

Burnley having a bit of a torrid time and he hasn’t really got himself underway either. 
Have to be honest, while the other players seem to have got a form bump from the Olympics and recent games, not really sure he has. 
They still seem to be creating  chances against all opponents so maybe they’ll hit a run of form soon.
Both Barnes and Vydra had similar frustrations, injuries and off side goals so I don’t think he’s to blame at all. 

Didn't they have a slow start last season which turned itself around eventually?

2ndBest

Didn't they have a slow start last season which turned itself around eventually?

The last few I think. I think they will avoid relegation this season. They have had some tough games so far and against the teams they are more expected to get points against have been unlucky. They look a lot better with new signing Maxwel Cornet on the field too, adds some pace. 

Last 3 seasons at Xmas, Burnley have been 18th, 13th & 16th (last season). They won't be panicking just yet.

I give burnley about a 50% chance of surviving relegation this season.