Looking back over the contribution that Daryl Dike made to the Barnsley Fc side last season you can immediately that he, above all other made the difference to our ability to score. I can see why Valerian Ishmael would want him at WBA. He was physically strong and took a load of knocks yet came back and gave as good as he got. His cut price replacement has yet to start a game.
For all his physical attributes, his biggest attribute was the instinct to be in the right place. Think he scored 9 goals for us, probably 6 or 7 came from getting himself in the middle of the six yard box when the ball went wide
For me his biggest attribute was his enthusiasm, not just goals and work rate but he really looked like a player that was enjoying playing football and for us , it rubbed off on the team
It's often underplayed how much of an impact Dike made for us. I think this is mainly down to him having a dip in form at the end of the regular season, and then into the play-offs. Whilst he was incredibly raw, you could see that he had that strikers instinct. He knew where to be, in and around the penalty area. His pace also often got down played because of how big and physical he was, but he was certainly no slouch, even with the ball at his feet. He was at his best in that game away at Luton. His sheer power and technical ability scored 2 goals in that game, won us a penalty, and he was unlucky not to score a couple more. He'll play at the highest level, I'm almost certain of that. He's good now, as a 21 year old. I can't imagine how good he'll be at 26, with a few years of top flight experience behind him.
It's often underplayed how much of an impact Dike made for us. I think this is mainly down to him having a dip in form at the end of the regular season, and then into the play-offs. Whilst he was incredibly raw, you could see that he had that strikers instinct. He knew where to be, in and around the penalty area. His pace also often got down played because of how big and physical he was, but he was certainly no slouch, even with the ball at his feet. He was at his best in that game away at Luton. His sheer power and technical ability scored 2 goals in that game, won us a penalty, and he was unlucky not to score a couple more. He'll play at the highest level, I'm almost certain of that. He's good now, as a 21 year old. I can't imagine how good he'll be at 26, with a few years of top flight experience behind him.
The second one was a bit contradictory if you study it closely. Left me wondering exactly what his viewpoint actually was.
Often the case in successful sides; one player who can turn 0-0's into 1-0's and 0-1's into 1-1's, a la Dike, Super Johnnie Hendry etc.
Morris has been an absolute breath of fresh air in that front line. I think he's a better all round footballer, but Dike had that unexpected impact. He'll live long in the memory
Fortunately carlton isn't a memory. What is a memory though is Morris and Friezer changing and winning the game at Bournemouth. Kane also had probably his best performance.
Imagine that will put the rumours of them wanting to sign Woodrow to bed. Though I still think he’ll be leaving this time
Maybe they'll drop their price given he had no Prem offers last loan spell. Shows we never could have signed him permanently though for a fee in line with what we usually pay, no matter how much spin Murphy put on it.
Crystal Palace enquired in Summer and was quoted 18. West Ham and Newcastle are reportedly to be interested as well.
If a Prem team want him then £18 million isn’t a great risk. If WBA were to pay that it would be a much greater risk for them
