by Tom Fletcher
Charlie Wyke finishing off 3 sublime crosses on Saturday with 3 sublime goals really does start to put our season in perspective. Not only does it mean the odds for us to win this league have been shortened it also means we have found a way to categorically score goals. People will point fingers at Bristol's defence but if you look carefully at all Wyke's goals, he was clever, VERY clever. He doesn't just aimlessly wander into the box and hope for the best, he's physical, tactical and most of all wants it more than the other guy.
Let's have a look at those 3 goals. The first one was from a corner, flicked on by Vincelot and unorthodoxly volleyed home by Wyke. It's not luck that he happened to be there, if you watch his first run it's a lot more towards the near post but when he realises he isn't going to be near the initial cross he checks his run and waits to see where it lands; in this instance, the back post to be prodded home.
His second goal is classic Charlie Wyke from last season, dedication and a desire to get to the ball before anyone else. The corner comes in (and with some help from NKP) and Wyke is there like a steam train to head the ball down into the ground. A chance that a lot of players would have squandered under the pressure of a seemingly easy header.
The third goal though is the icing on the cake for me and totally sums up how this style will work for us. The ball is lofted into the box by Reeves and this gives Charlie a chance to think about what he's going to do. Instead of waiting for the ball to land he cleverly nudges the defender out of the way which gives him the space to jump and offer up an incredibly brave header into the top corner. The thought of cracking his skull on the post doesn't even cross his mind.
If we can get the ball into the box and most importantly Wyke stays in that box he will finish the chances. I can safely say I haven't had this type of confidence in a striker in this way since Lee Mills. Wells, Hanson and Peter Thorne were all different. They scored different goals (even Hanson yes) and what Wyke is going to bring this season is something we haven't had for a long time, a Bobby Campbell-esque type player.
P.S. I am not saying he is anywhere near Bobby Campbell.