Phillips & Woodrow

Some interesting stats relating to two players that divide opinion on here.
https://x.com/bfcstats/status/1830327691670962495?s=46&t=3Pw_YB9k_CdeO5z6WMnJRQ

 

There is one thing in common.
Both players very underrated and under valued by many BFC fans.

 

Impressive. Hignett’s stats are just crazy. 42 goal contributions in just 58 games, what a player he was. Shame we had him for such a short period of time.

 

It was always going to be a stepping stone for him,he had split with his Mrs at the time .
I think Hennders convinced him it would be better to be closer to the kids if I remember.

 

In his first season and a half, Woodrow was incredible. A lot used to criticise Struber for playing him as a number 10, but I thought he thrived in that role. For whatever reason, he wasn't as effective post covid under Struber, the style of play didn't necessarily suit him under Big Val, and we were a complete shambles of a club in his final year here.

Phillips has it in him to be a game changer. We've struggled to find someone over the years who can single handedly grab us by the scruff of the neck, and win us a game.

 

Philips is great a player who seems to go about his business with no fuss, a think he could step it up this season too, if he has a great season he could well be our next player who brings in a hefty fee.

(when’s his contract run out actually)

 

Phillips has hit the ground running this season instead of having his customary slow start. If he has a full season of goals and assists he’ll be off for big money next summer.

 

I for one couldn't weigh Phillips up his stats goals+ assists are up there but he never seemed to be involved in general play. I now think it's down to the system he played in under both Duff and Collins it was very rigid but slightly different under both. He's now been given the freedom under Clarke to go and do what he does best without the constraints put on him by the other two. I think he succeeded previously despite the system and this is a big call we might see goals from Midfield we've not seen since a certain Scotsman turned up at Oakwell a good few years since.

 

Contact expires 2026 but we have an option to extend to 2027 so he’s well covered really.

 

He’s ahead at the moment but he’ll do well to match Redfearn.

 

Do they divide opinion much?

Most fans really rate Phillips don’t they? People put their teams on here & he’s always in there.

Woodrow was loved & was great for a period but I think his performances in his final season made sure that he left on a sour note. People in general are understanding when players go through bad form but not giving your all is pretty poor. It was like he decided challenging for a header & hassling defenders was beneath him that season

 

I think they do divide opinion. I recently posted about Woodrow coming back and it got a very mixed reaction, as have many posts where he’s mentioned.

Many people see Phillips as a player that scores and assists but does very little else?

Woodrow http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/woodrow-incoming.332522/

 

This^^ I liked woodrow and he was good for us but his last 18 months here weren't Great

 

There you go, I didn’t share your opinion of him and was very sad to see him leave, so that’s an example of what I’m talking about. Split opinions.

You might also be surprised that I was in the ‘Phillips scores and assists but goes missing’ camp. I couldn’t say that after Saturdays performance at Crawley, so he has affected my own opinion.

 

I remember Graham Souness saying he had managed to deprive Barnsley of a top goalscorer, or words to that effect, when he took him to Blackburn. Fee was far too low as well

 

Hiya thats my twitter account and just for clarity Hignett finished on 55 contributions from 77 appearances. I only put the apps it took each of them to reach 42 (the same as Phillips is on now) for comparison. But they all made more apps and contributions later on.

 

Opinion is divided on both players. For what it is worth (and that's not that much in reality) both players contributions are/were on the credit side. With phillips in particular his work off the ball is as good as his assists and goal scoring.

 

His Undr the Cosh episode is fantastic. Well worth a listen

 

He used to top all of the running stats practically every game. And in that last season he was injured for about four months, had knee surgery. But played when fit, unlike a number of others towards the end of that campaign.

He definitely wasn't as successful as time wore on, but it's a myth that he didn't try.

One of the most prolific strikers we've had in my lifetime and a free transfer. Also signed an extension when most expected he'd leave.

Cracking bloke too.

https://x.com/BarnsleyFC/status/1481750105527103493

 

100 % he was a great professional too,especially with the youngsters.