Danny’s delight at strike partnership

The strike pairing of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes has reaped eight goals so far this season, firing Burnley to third place in the Championship, and the third round of the Capital One Cup.
SOLO GOAL: Danny Ings races past Jake Buxton on his way to opening the scoring at Derby on SaturdaySOLO GOAL: Danny Ings races past Jake Buxton on his way to opening the scoring at Derby on Saturday
SOLO GOAL: Danny Ings races past Jake Buxton on his way to opening the scoring at Derby on Saturday

But while it is a relatively new partnership in Claret the duo know each other’s games inside out.

Both players hail from Hampshire, and came through at Bournemouth, and Ings - who I can reveal is the first winner of the Burnley Express and nonaynever.net Player of the Month Award - taking 45% of the vote - explained the secret of their success so far: “To be fair we go back a long way.

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“We both started at the same place and I used to watch him when I was really little and I used to really enjoy watching him play.

“It’s a pleasure to play with him now. He absolutely bullies players out there and he does well for me too.

“He was playing for the first team and he came down for the FA Youth Cup game to play with them and I was called up from schoolboy.

“He was a giant then.”

He added: “We’ve got a good understanding for each other, we know each other’s games.

“He just bullies people and I get the rewards for it!

“He’s great to play with and we do well for each other.”

Ings has five goals to his name, with Vokes netting three.

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The pair scored seven between them last season due to injury and a lack of opportunity, due to 28-goal Charlie Austin being an automatic pick when fit.

And Ings is delighted to see his mate on the scoresheet: “He’s scoring goals, which is good, although I didn’t actually see his goal on Saturday because I was completely squashed by about three defenders, but I’m just glad that he’s scoring as well.”

Next up, a week tomorrow, is the derby with Blackburn, and Ings would love to score in that game: “It’s a massive game, especially for the fans, and I can guarantee we’re going to put in a good performance for that one.

“I was gutted I didn’t get to start either one of those games last year.

“I’ve never been so excited for a game, and to try and do it for the fans would be good.

“At the moment I’m very happy, not just for myself but for the team.”