The Scotland international has caught the imagination in the opening weeks of the new campaign
Oli McBurnie remains a nightmare to play against, admits former striker Don Goodman, who says his early-season form has him at the top of the scoring charts.
Talismanic frontman McBurnie joined City in the summer after opting to leave Las Palmas, and though he had a host of other options, it was the Tigers’ persistence that clinched the deal.
In the opening weeks of the new campaign, McBurnie has really caught the eye and was crowned September’s Player of the Month after a blistering period, and though he missed Tuesday night’s thumping win over Leicester City with a knee injury, his early season exploits have caught the eye.
That spell and his form so far have impressed many, including Goodman, who was part of the judging panel that saw the 29-year-old beat off stiff competition from the likes of Jaden Philogene to become the first City player in three years to claim the crown.
“Oli McBurnie is a striker who I’ve always said I really, really like. He’s a nightmare for defenders to play against,” Goodman told football betting site talkSPORT Bet.
“But he’s not really been a prolific goalscorer with the exception of a couple of seasons, most notably Swansea in 2018/2019, where he scored 22 goals in 42 Championship games. That was his big season that got him his big move.
“So, I’m not sure where this goalscoring form has come from. The fact that he’s got six goals and three assists in just seven starts speaks for itself. I think he’s hugely benefited from the return to form of Ryan Giles, who, for the last couple of seasons, has looked a pale shadow of the creative force that he was on loan for Middlesbrough.
“So, given everything and the fact that Oli McBurnie is playing in a team who everyone expected to have their struggles this season, I’d say he has to be up there with the best strikers in the Championship at this moment in time, and hopefully can keep this sensational form going.”
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