Burke

[bladesince64]

He was excellent. Closed down all night, never stopped working and was the only outlet we had. Good skill and vision to set up Bash and we should have gone 1-0 up and we'd have won the game. Villa were shite and there for the taking. The rest of the players need to take a long look in the mirror. No fight, no effort and a few looked like they'd given up.
Worrying start to what should be a positive season with lots of good quality additions to add to an established squad.

 

[1987]

He looked good. And im excited to see him build on it and produce more and consistently. But thats it. It wasnt a worldbeating OMG start him every game performance.

A massive overreaction on here tbh and shows how blind you are to some of our other forwards' qualities.

Did somebody really say he was our best striker based on that. Really?

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I would be tempted to start him against dirty Leeds, given their tendency to leave huge gaps.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

If we are to play the diamond which we saw tonight then a team needs some one up top with pace and stamina - Burke did well in that aspect.

He tried to pull Villa wide on numerous occasions - the balls up to him, at times, were poor.

He did ok for me.

UTB

 

[Hartley Hare]

I would like to see Burke in a 100m race against Malcolm McDonald.

HH

 

[1987]

the balls up to him, at times, were poor.

Our problem in a nutshell.

 

[Wards]

He wasn’t sparkling by any stretch but nice to have a Moose-like option that can stretch the pitch and, just as importantly, last 90 minutes. I think he’ll be useful in away games when we sit deeper (and manage to keep 11 men in the field).

 

[Niceguyeddie]

People keep saying that he is lightning fast but I haven’t seen much evidence of that yet? Hes not outpaced anybody that I can remember. That’s not a dig, he worked really hard, I just haven’t seen the pace that everyone else seemingly has.

He's fucking rapid mate did you not seeing him closing the ball down like a Exocet missile

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Our problem in a nutshell.

Well yes, but we were down to 10 and had changed to 441 - I thought we didn't do too bad once Ampadu came on and our game plan was good - can't legislate for what in my opinion was a bad penalty miss - in our position of playing with 10, we simply couldn't afford to miss that penalty.

UTB

 

[siblade]

Rather have him than Robinson, strength and speed, worked his knackers off.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

You can instantly see why we've made that swap deal.

Remember when C Robinson would try to close a player down and nesh out a few yards short? When Oli Burke closes down he causes genuine panic. That will lead to a goal at some stage this season.

Can you ever remember C Robinson demanding a ball in behind like Oli Burke did tonight and then bursting onto it? Me neither.
What happened next with the cute little through ball which won us the penalty surprised me. I didn't know he had that sort of ability in his locker. I want to see more of him on the ball like that.

If he can continue running those channels and putting himself about then he'll add value to our game at the top of the field. In a 2, C Robinson was incapable of this.

I hope he can improve on his judgement of the ball in the air though. His timing for headers was comical at time, was making me chuckle.

 

[nopigfansintown]

His hold up play was excellent. Won his fair share in the air.Pressed really well. The ball for the pen was Xaviesque, I didn't expect that at all. CW did the right thing leaving him on as he tired badly and showed that he needs minutes in his legs. It has to be Burke and one other VS Leeds.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

I would like to see Burke in a 100m race against Malcolm McDonald.

HH

Not a contest. I'd beat Supermouth now

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Yep, was going to come on here and say that. Impressed me tonight. Looked absolutely shattered but was running to the end and our best attacks went through him.

The only issue, outside of the pace, is that he seems in many ways to play in a similar role to McGoldrick. He's not an out and out striker, and it shows.

So we’ve potentially got a 23 year old McGolrick with lightening pace? Oh shit!

 

[robbiez666]

So we’ve potentially got a 23 year old McGolrick with lightening pace? Oh shit!

steady on, one swallow doesn't make a spring!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

steady on, one swallow doesn't make a spring!

Just going on what you said. He was on par with what I expected to be honest and matched how I described him when signing.
If he can do that every week then we’ve got a serious player on our hands. That IF is slightly smaller than it was this time last week and has a long way to go to before it disappears entirely.

 

[FlamingLip]

Not the game to evaluate him

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Only player on the pitch for us that gave a fuck. Everyone, not just a few but EVERYBODY BAR Burke constantly ball watching. I’ve never seen so much time and space on the ball. He pressed Villa’s defence from start to finish. Can’t really fault him because he’s the only player putting in genuine effort.

Villa pinned on for relegation then, if they can only get 1 goal, and force hardly any saves, against 9 ball watchers.

 

[Bladesman]

He has pace which is something we lack especially with Moose out injured.

Great ball to Basham for the pen.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Not a contest. I'd beat Supermouth now

Nice photo!
He was a great player though. One of the best centre forwards I’ve seen. Pace, strength and an eye for goal.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

His hold up play was excellent. Won his fair share in the air.Pressed really well. The ball for the pen was Xaviesque, I didn't expect that at all. CW did the right thing leaving him on as he tired badly and showed that he needs minutes in his legs. It has to be Burke and one other VS Leeds.

I think he held up nothing, lost most arieal challenges and only looke dangerous when he went wide. Agree the ball to Bash was top draw but he isn't what we need IMO.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

He has pace which is something we lack especially with Moose out injured.

Great ball to Basham for the pen.

Went past 4 Villa defenders before releasing it too. I like what I saw.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

If we score that penalty tonight and then hold out then Burke's won us the game with that moment of brilliance. Very harsh to say he hasn't shown any quality.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I think he held up nothing, lost most arieal challenges and only looke dangerous when he went wide. Agree the ball to Bash was top draw but he isn't what we need IMO.

The chance for Berge (possible pen if he goes down) came as a result of a great hold up and spin from Burke. It's diabolical that Burke is a must start for me at the weekend. Agree with you there.

 

[Bladesman]

The chance for Berge (possible pen if he goes down) came as a result of a great hold up and spin from Burke. It's diabolical that Burke is a must start for me at the weekend. Agree with you there.

Reckon they would have given us a second penalty? probably end up giving a free kick to Villa.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Reckon they would have given us a second penalty? probably end up giving a free kick to Villa.

For me he gets clipped. I have absolutely zero faith in VAR though. I've seen a number of poor VAR decisions already this season when the process has supposedly been refined. VAR should give the foul even if he doesn't go down.

 

[BladeTillIDie]

I don't know what games some of you watch...

He did okay but flipping eck.

Agreed. All I saw him do was a good pass for basham lol.

 

[corner_flag]

He was the best striker to have on the pitch when we went down to 10. In that situation you need to have a strong battler up top as they are going to be on their own.

 

[Chabuddy G]

I would be tempted to start him against dirty Leeds, given their tendency to leave huge gaps.

100%. His fast press will be important with them fannying around at the back too.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Gutted for him the penalty wasn't converted. Did fantastic in the build up. Worked hard in a thankless task last night.