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Jeff Hendrick quietly overcoming positional uncertainty at Burnley

Keeping their good momentum for 2019 going, Burnley have been successful in their appeal to award...



Soccer

Jeff Hendrick quietly overcoming positional uncertainty at Burnley

Keeping their good momentum for 2019 going, Burnley have been successful in their appeal to award Ireland's Jeff Hendrick a goal that had hitherto been labeled an own-goal.

Scored during Burnley's 2-1 defeat of Fulham, it was only Hendrick's second goal of the season.

Joined on OTB AM this morning by one of Hendrick's teammates at club and international level, Jon Walters offered an insight into the Dubliner's recent form, and the adjustments he has had to made to fit his way into Sean Dyche's team.

"It's difficult for him, especially at Burnley, because he plays in a position that is not really the position he has grown up playing," Walters explained.

"I'd say Jeff's a natural central midfielder, but probably not a #10 so to say.

"You're expected [there] to get beyond the striker and make those runs, and that's not really what Jeff's about."

Highlighting the expertise Hendrick does offer to the play, Walters suggested that "once you get Jeff on the ball, he's always very good at linking up the play and controlling the midfield."

As a result of his limited exposure in his preferred position, however, Walters feels that Hendrick is perhaps unfairly singled out for criticism at times.

On yesterday's Keith Andrews Show, the former Irish midfielder Andrews shared his own thoughts on Hendrick's options at club level. Selected by Dyche to play a little further from the central action, Andrews believed Hendrick had given a pleasing display.

"He actually played [compact] right wing, and played very, very well last weekend," Andrews stated.

"He was gambling off second balls off the front two, and was heavily involved in both goals [Burnley] scored.

With Burnley set to take on Watford this weekend, Jeff Hendrick will undoubtedly be keen to keep this rich vein of form alive.

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Burnley Jeff Hendrick Jonathan Walters Keith Andrews Premier League Republic Of Ireland