To be fair to the Wigan lad he's sussed Wyke out a lot quicker than some of ours. He was virtually all we had for goals, last season, so almost undroppable ... ... but I never had much faith in him or thought he really wanted to be here. He was never going to be a hero.
I'm sure I saw people saying Wigan were blowing us out of the water in the transfer market ... ... must be wrong again.
Looks like I am in a minority of 1 who would still have him here. I think the 1 touch finish and McGeady did everything is all a bit unfair, just in my opinion. McGeady would have had no assists without Wyke making brilliant runs and one touch finishes in my opinion are much more a sign of a natural finisher. Just counter arguments for balance. I never thought I would see a 30 goal striker get so little love. I do get it though and we are looking a different side now than last season. Those goals are a lot to replace though. I will give him a round of applause next week, be nice to think I am not alone...
mate look at the change in the team since he is gone. Playing him only gave us one dimensional football, and as soon as the other teams cottoned on to this tactic, they closed us down and the goals dried up, the last 10 games nearly every team played the same tactics against us, and we dropped like a lead stone. This was Parkies set up, we now have new dynamics which are working great, and its been a long time since i was this happy for the start of a season
Ross Stewart is 10x the player Wyke is. He’s quicker, better first touch and brings other players into the game. Imagine Wyke in his position last night, first touch and out for a goal kick. I’m fully convinced if Stewart had been fit toward the back end of last season we’d have at least made the play-off final. if we bring in Jebbison, we’re stronger in attack this season than we were last.
I can see what you are saying mate, definitely. But I think he was too one-dimensional for the way Johnson wants to play - he suits a very specific style of play and is good at playing that way. I've no idea how Wigan intend to set up but they better not be expecting him to run about much and get on the end of through balls. I also agree about him getting very little appreciation. I'll be honest, I'm one of them. I just never took to him, 30+ goals or not he just wasn't someone who convinced me (sounds mental I know!). Maybe it goes back to 'first impressions' when he struggled. On the opposite side of the coin - Doyle is probably putting some positivity in the bank because of his pre season performances so the majority will be more forgiving yourself f he makes an error early doors. (If that makes sense)
The main problem with Wyke was that, when we were holding onto a lead, he was useless and a virtual passenger ... ... the opposition only needed one man to look after him, he couldnt hold the ball up and fell over looking for free kicks that never came. As a result we'd be pushed further and further back until we cracked ... ... Lincoln, at home, was typical.
Another one on my gripes with Wyke was how many needless free kicks he used to give away when the opposition were under pressure in their own half. I can’t fault him for the goals he scored last season, but we are a much better team without him. I wouldn’t have been against keeping him as back up, but it’s time we changed our system to suit a passing game, which is something we weren’t able to do with him in the side.
I don't think Flannigan and Doyle will be overly concerned tbh. It's more the wide areas/crosses that we need to stop and that should render Wyke a spectator. I did think he should have had more decisions go his way for fouls though (even though he gave loads away as well ), some CHs were all over him and he got nowt so that will be interesting to see how it pans out on Sat.
Spot on with this too. It was always a doubled edged sword for me when I saw his name on the team sheet last season. You can’t deny he scored goals, but our overall play was shocking to watch because he broke down everything we were trying to build.
don't think there is any 'hatred' towards the bloke and his goals were obviously welcomed but i am pleased he has gone...as others have pointed out we were pretty much stuck with one way to play ie: hit it long to wyke who would rather fall over or commit a foul than jump/challenge for the ball, his first touch was rubbish unless he was facing the right way in front of goal and he rarely brought others into the game or covered much ground, i think over a third of his goals came during a purple patch where geads returned to the team, i keep getting this 'improved his movement and that is why he scored more' but i honestly never saw it.
The quoted tweet doesn't sound so much like their fans have sussed him out to me. More that Wigan aren't playing to his strengths. While he was never my favourite player and he never looked comfortable with the ball at his feet, I have to agree with @FellTop that there was more to his game than people want to give him credit for. You don't score 30 odd goals if you don't know how and when to time your runs or how to lose your marker. Having said that, prior to the season just gone, he looked like he had no anticipation whatsoever a lot of the time, so I'm putting lots of the credit in Lee Johnson's column for coaching him well. I think a more rounded striker is what we need though. Would have been quite content if he'd stayed though.
I'm digressing slightly but Wigan beat Preston 3-2 in their last friendly. Power and Wyke both played. As did a trialist. We would be worried if SAFC were playing a trialist in the Hull game last night wouldn't we?
Lads I dont disagree with any of you. I am loving the football we are playing now. I suppose I am wondering whether Wyke would give us something we dont have currently. I am not saying he was the ultimate forward by any means, but I think he may have been able to offer us something this coming season. That said I aint dying in a ditch on it and will be delighted if we are playing the sort of football I think Johnson wants. End of the day i think johnson could have kept him if he was sold on him and I trust his judgement more than mine.
Nice post mate however for me, I think the time was right for him to go ,Im pleased he went to our opposition, now they will have to pay him lots of dosh for 1 dimension, and we know how to stop him scoring. My mind flashes back to Kone and how i wish we had took the dosh when offered,
