City must find a way to help Oli McBurnie score his way out of goal malaise

Striker Oli McBurnie came in for particular criticism from a disappointed City head coach after managing just 17 touches in the entire game at Craven Cottage.

McBurnie is suffering at the moment, and it shows. He's yet to score in the seven Premier League games so far, while he hasn't managed to net during his return to the Scotland fold. Part of the problem has been the distinct lack of service into him. McBurnie's best work is done in between the posts. Give him a chance, and he will put the ball away.

He's been restricted to just 10 shots at goal so far this season, so it's little surprise that when one comes his way, he's perhaps snatching at it in desperation.

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Nobody will be wanting to open his account for the season more than McBurnie, and his need is City's need. If the Tigers are to have a good season and ensure they remain a Premier League, then McBurnie will need to be at the centre of that.

Those goals will not come if the bulk of his work is being done inside his own half, which has been the case recently. At Craven Cottage, he was dropping to the edge of his own box, leaving the Tigers without a frontman. He's effective when dropping deep to hold the ball up and bring other players into it, and we've seen goals come from that, but Jakirovic needs him up front.

Prior to Fulham, McBurnie had been one of City's most influential performers. His work outside of the six-yard box was absolutely crucial. One example of that was his involvement in Gelhardt's wonderful goal against Everton. Without McBurnie dropping in, picking up the ball and beating a couple of neat nutmegs, Sorba Thomas doesn't eventually get on the ball to slide in Gelhardt.

It's easy to have short memories and write people off. City have had one shocker of a game in their opening seven games, and McBurnie didn't play well, but to suggest he should be dropped at this stage of the season seems premature. The Tigers are not blessed with a plethora of options in attack. Ilias Ansah is not yet fit, Robinio Vaz is 19 and yet to prove himself at this level.

Joe Gelhardt and Mohamed-Ali Cho are not out-and-out centre forwards, so City need to persevere with McBurnie and get him firing, and in truth, he deserves that opportunity.

While football doesn't wait for players and moves on quickly, McBurnie is one of the prime reasons City are even in the Premier League to start with. Sentiment cannot be the sole reason for picking a player, and Jakirovic won't be engaging in that because that's not how he operates, but he will know he needs to find a way to get McBurnie on the scoresheet.

Then, when that happens, he'll hope the goals start to flow for the Scotland international. McBurnie will know that, but to write him off already is unfair. If nothing else, he's earned the chance to find his form in front of goal.

Some of City's players have a bit more credit in the bank than simply being written off after a really bad day at Craven Cottage, and McBurnie is certainly one of those. He, like the rest of his colleagues, knows they must respond against Brentford, and he'll be doing everything he can to help inspire his side to a much-needed victory.

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