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Dike’s hot streak continues with double in Barnsley win

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Daryl Dike’s day started with news that he was earning his second call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team. The day ended with the Orlando City striker continuing his dream loan run at Barnsley with his first brace for the English League Championship side.

Dike scored a pair of goals in Barnsley’s 3-1 EFL Championship road win over Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday evening. It was his first multi-goal performance in England, helping Barnsley earn its ninth league victory out of the past 10 matches.

After Cauley Woodrow’s penalty kick goal put the visitors ahead 1-0 going into halftime, Dike needed little time in the second half to double Barnsley’s lead. He rose highest on a cross from Mads Juel Andersen and headed home in the 49th minute.

https://twitter.com/jwalkerrt79/status/1372280250000945154?s=20

Dike slammed the door shut on any comeback hopes for the home team, sliding home to volley Callum Brittain’s low cross for his fifth goal in seven matches.

https://twitter.com/jwalkerrt79/status/1372287617157509122?s=20

The 20-year-old forward has been at the forefront of Barnsley’s move up the league table, helping them to a current fifth place spot in the heart of the promotion playoff race.

Up next for Dike and his teammates is a home date against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Comments

  1. At this rate he’s probably getting looks from clubs besides Barnsley. Time for OC to cash in so the kid can level up and keep improving. At 5 goals in 7 appearances that rate on a mid season transfer and NK time to acclimate to new club, teammates, and league shows he’s clearly ready to move up.

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  2. From Wiki: “Dike’s eldest brother, Bright Dike, was also a first round MLS Superdraft pick in 2010 and has played for the Nigerian national team.[25] His sister, Courtney, was capped by Nigeria and made two appearances at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. He is the cousin of Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike.”

    That sounds like someone who is more than just a great athlete, but one who grew up with an understanding of soccer and an appreciation of what it takes to succeed. As he continues to learn, he will very likely flourish wherever he ends up.

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  3. Dike is really perfectly suited to the situation he is in right now. The Championship in winter is all about physicality and finishing in the box. Ugly weather and beaten-up pitches put a premium on target men who get into good positions, and can finish first touch. Barnsley sees his value in this regard and it’s been a great match (nice to say that for once about a loan!)
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    As for how Dike would fair in the EPL? Hard to say. I’ve watched him quite a bit, and he is obviously still developing. He’ll need to get better with his feet, I think. Still a bit clumsy in my observation, especially compared to very high standards of top “big man” forwards in the EPL historically. Nothing that can’t be improved.

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  4. I’ve got him in my starting 11 mostly because I want to see him knock down defenders like bowling pins ?.
    Didn’t someone point out he was playing HS in Oklahoma only 3 year ago? Talking about mega upside.

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  5. While he did well at Orlando, he has been tearing it up in the the Championship. Has he improved that much or is MLS a lot better than the Championship? Whatever, an impressive display from the young man.

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    • I don’t think that MLS is better than the championship, but hopefully the performances of Dike and Morris before injury open people’s eyes to the fact that MLS is a pretty damn good league now. I think more people in the UK realize it now vs. fans in US

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  6. Glad I didn’t say Dike’s selection was a waste because he was sloppy against TnT today, that would be embarrassing. Bad enough I said last week I didn’t think he was EPL ready.

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    • I’ll say the same thing I said about Hoppe, let’s wait to the end of the season and see where he stands. Not that I don’t think he’s legitimate, but the sample size is still a little small to say for sure. But that outrageous buy option that Barnsley supposedly has doesn’t seem so outrageous anymore, no matter what the number is.

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      • It’s pretty close to the same goal rate as at OC. Whereas, Hoppe had 1 g in 15 4th division matches. For perspective Greene had 25 g in 51 4th div matches, Sargent 7g 12 matches,Wright 14 g in 22 although Schalke II was in 5th division. So with Hoppe consistency has been a bigger issue. Hoppe only had 3 g in 17 U19 appearances last year. The same league Soto, Pulisic, Wright, and Uly all dominated. Dike also has the advantage of being special physically. But yes if he goes cold for the next month his value goes down.

      • Well isn’t that a measured, reasonable response…no place for that here!
        It’s great to see what Dike is doing and we’re all right to be excited. Here’s the “but” – he’s played about 30 professional games. He’s done everything he can thus far but we really don’t know as much about him as we need to. That is more so the story with Hoppe.
        Center Forward has been a massive hole in the USMNT for years now, so it’s great to see we have some pretty legitimate prospects in that position.

  7. Second goal today was Dike best goal I have seen so far in England. Great job showing as a target looking for a pass and then making a run splitting defenders in the six yard box. Bed of all was finishing!

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    • Not best goal……that screamer wins, but I get what you r saying. This goal was very polished and showed a lot of great striker traits.

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