Burnley defender Trippier is Premier League class

Striker Sam Vokes feels there isn’t a better right back outside the Premier League than teammate Kieran Trippier.
King of assists: Clarets right back Kieran TrippierKing of assists: Clarets right back Kieran Trippier
King of assists: Clarets right back Kieran Trippier

Vokes scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season in Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest, that kept Burnley in the automatic promotion places.

But it was his first effort, courtesy of some ostentatious skill and a pinpoint cross from Trippier, that people were purring about after.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Trippier now has 13 assists for the campaign, one fewer than divisional leader Andy Reid of Forest, and, asked whether he is the best in the Championship, Vokes said: “I think so. He’s been great.

“He got in the Championship team of the year last year, and he’s up there again.

“He’s topped his all-time assists and that shows what kind of a player he is.

“For a striker he’s fantastic because for the (first) goal he’s put a ball in that’s awkward for defenders - between the centre half and goalkeeper.

“For us forwards we can just gamble on that and go for it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I couldn’t even tell you how he did that piece of skill before the cross.

“For a full back to do that and get the assists he does, it’s great.

“To have full backs like we have that push on, and the two full backs getting my assists was fantastic and it shows the intent the squad’s got to go forward.”

Vokes and strike partner Danny Ings now have 42 goals between them this season, although 24-goal Ings was somewhat disappointed not to score for the third successive game - incredibly, his longest spell without a goal all season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vokes said: “I know Danny’s a bit frustrated because he had a couple of chances.

“But I think the work-rate he put in was fantastic and helped with that.

“I just had a word with him and said ‘don’t be frustrated’.

“He’s top of the goalscoring charts and he’s been fantastic this year.

“The work-rate he put in to help me in my goals and the overall team, it’s great.

“If we can chip in for each other and help each other out, it’s a team game.

“It’s not just the two of us but the lads behind us have been great.”