The irony wasn’t lost on anyone.
As Derby County wasted chance after chance before dropping yet more points at home to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, their most naturally gifted finisher was directing things from the touchline rather than leading the line on the pitch.
Bottom-of-the-table Rams have scored just once from open play in about 18 hours of football.
And the fact talisman Wayne Rooney appears to have dropped the ‘player’ bit from his player-coach title promises to further blunt a forward line with as much cutting edge as one of those plastic knives you find in a greasy kebab house.
But with everyone in the Derbyshire district looking to the heavens in the hope of divine intervention in front of goal, their prayers may be about to be answered.
Because, according to Lancs Live, the only player to break the 20-goal barrier for the Rams since the 2013/14 season has his heart set on a January return.
The £11 million Matej Vydra has started just 11 Premier League games in almost two-and-a-half years at Turf Moor and, with his place in Czech Republic’s Euro 2021 squad under threat, the seldom-seen striker is crying out for a fresh start.
And, while they do say ‘never go back’, Derby fans could be forgiven for ignoring that tired old cliche.
The East Midland giants have never managed to find a striker capable of stepping into his shoes since that 21-goal campaign in 2017/18 but who better to replace Vydra than Vydra himself?
“He’s got everything to be the best number 10 in this division,” former Derby boss Gary Rowett said after Vydra scored a “fantastic” goal in a derby victory over Nottingham Forest in 2017.
“Both his feet are fantastic. He can run. He’s quick and powerful.”
A short-term loan deal would suit all parties – and not just because it promises to offer Vydra the regular first-team football he needs.
If the former Watford and Reading man can rediscover the form that made him the Championship’s most feared forward at Pride Park, Burnley’s chances of recouping a fraction of that £11 million investment would also be given a welcome boost.
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