Vokes feels chemistry is rising with strike partner

Sam Vokes feels the chemistry is bubbling with Clarets strike partner Andre Gray.
Clarets striker Sam VokesClarets striker Sam Vokes
Clarets striker Sam Vokes

The pair teamed up for the second goal of the 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town at Turf Moor on Hallowe’en as Sean Dyche’s side moved to within two points of Championship leaders Brighton.

The £6m record signing scored from the spot in the 12th minute after being chopped down by Terriers defender Joel Lynch and went on to net his eighth of the campaign just before the interval when beating goalkeeper Jed Steer from an improbable angle.

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After the former Brentford hitman moved to within a solitary strike of Reading’s Nick Blackman at the top of the division’s scoring charts, Vokes said: “He’s brilliant to work with. He is one of the best I’ve played with, and we’re starting to really click now.

“We feel comfortable playing with each other, similar to the year we went up with Ingsy.

“It’s a good partnership and you know where each other is going to be and the runs we make, so it’s great to have someone like that alongside me.”

The Welshman added: “He’s a deadly finisher. He’s great to play with because I pick the ball up in pockets and know where he is off the shoulder and he proved that with the second goal especially that he likes to play in there.

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“I pick the ball up and go on the half turn and automatically know where he is.

“It’s great to have him playing in that position. He’s a great finisher, that’s what he’s all about and that’s what he brings to the team.

“We need those extra goals in those sort of games and he’s got it.

“From probably not great chances he pulls something out of that and we got the three points.”

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The Clarets have taken 13 points from five outings since the start of October, which has seen them close the gap on the unbeaten Seagulls.

Vokes is eager to keep the pressure on the table-toppers, though he’s expecting a tough test against Fulham on home soil this evening.

““It’s important that we keep that going in the big games coming up,” he said. ““It’s going to be a tough one. They’ve got some real quality in their side and Premier League quality as well.

“They’re a big club so it will be a good test for us. At home we can get the crowd behind us and make this place a fortress.

“People want to come here and get the victory against us but we need to make it hard for teams who come here and I think that’s what we’re doing at the minute.