Why all the surprise

[cricketfieldclarets]

We drew with wba 0-0 away earlier in the season.

We often struggle to unlock teams who try to put us on the front foot. Even more so when they go to ten and try and catch us on the break.

Dyches record against allerdyce is one of his worse. He averages a point a game against him.

We had no right winger.

Our first two strikers were out.

We had zero options on the bench.

The hate towards Dyche and the team is almost hilarious.

Last Friday we were fourth bottom with an 8 point gap with 16 games left and games against three of our rivals with an opportunity to gain on us.

Today we are two places higher. With the same eight point gap but our opponents have three games less in which to catch us.

Every single side around us would swap our manager. Every club below us would swap league positions and run in.

Today wasn’t pretty. But it wasn’t a disaster.

[DomBFC1882]

Tbf the gap could be 6 should Fulham win this with us both having played the same amount of games

[cricketfieldclarets]

Tbf the gap could be 6 should Fulham win this with us both having played the same amount of games

Indeed. And they are. Would you swap positions?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Indeed. And they are. Would you swap positions?

I would arguably swap squads.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I would arguably swap squads.

Really? What have they done to date that would make you want to swap squads?

[DomBFC1882]

Indeed. And they are. Would you swap positions?

Definitely not and I have no doubt we'll stay up this season. I was just giving balance to the post considering the Fulham game is ongoing so that 8 point gap may be no more

[DomBFC1882]

I would arguably swap squads.

I'd have Loftus cheek but that's it

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Really? What have they done to date that would make you want to swap squads?

Don't forget to find out if they're on about the players Fulham own or the 7 loanees who started against us the other day.

That's something to take into account when on about swapping squads.

[Elizabeth]

A decent approach by the OP but missing the thrust of today’s disappointment

[Newcastleclaret93]

Really? What have they done to date that would make you want to swap squads?

I think Dyche would finish higher up the league with there squad than ours.

Much better footballers in there team just worst tactics and managements.

[DomBFC1882]

Don't forget to find out if they're on about the players Fulham own or the 7 loanees who started against us the other day.

That's something to take into account when on about swapping squads.

As above mate I'd only take Loftus cheek and as you say he's on loan anyway

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

I would arguably swap squads.

Why?

[cricketfieldclarets]

Definitely not and I have no doubt we'll stay up this season. I was just giving balance to the post considering the Fulham game is ongoing so that 8 point gap may be no more

True. But they’re only beating sheff Utd 1-0 at home who we beat 1-0 at home.

I wouldn’t fancy their next nine fixture run before they play us again.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I think Dyche would finish higher up the league with there squad than ours.

Much better footballers in there team just worst tactics and managements.

Like who.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Why?

I just think there is much better quality in there squad. Just a real shame they have a shocking manager.

Dyche would have that squad mid table.

[DomBFC1882]

True. But they’re only beating sheff Utd 1-0 at home who we beat 1-0 at home.

I wouldn’t fancy their next nine fixture run before they play us again.

Completely agree mate

[Newcastleclaret93]

Like who.

If I was making a combined eleven it would be.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Robinson
Anguissa Loftus westwood
Lookman mitrovic McNeil

However it’s not really just the starting eleven players I think there reserve players are decent.

Lemina, Bryan, Onomah, Reid some decent players there. Has better depth than we have.

[DomBFC1882]

If I was making a combined eleven it would be.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Robinson
Anguissa Loftus westwood
Lookman mitrovic McNeil

However it’s not really just the starting eleven players I think there reserve players are decent.

Lemina, Bryan, Onomah, Reid some decent players there. Has better depth than we have.

No Charlie Taylor?

I'd like to agree on depth too but we did batter their second team in the cup with our second team so make of that what you will

[Stacky_claret]

I think Dyche would finish higher up the league with there squad than ours.

Much better footballers in there team just worst tactics and managements.

Then there is nothing to worry about

[cricketfieldclarets]

If I was making a combined eleven it would be.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Robinson
Anguissa Loftus westwood
Lookman mitrovic McNeil

However it’s not really just the starting eleven players I think there reserve players are decent.

Lemina, Bryan, Onomah, Reid some decent players there. Has better depth than we have.

So 6 Burnley players. 3 loan players. And 2 Fulham players.

[Newcastleclaret93]

No Charlie Taylor?

I really rate Robinson. Taylor could edge it I just like Robinson

[Quickenthetempo]

I wouldn’t fancy their next nine fixture run before they play us again.

I don't really fancy are next 5 fixtures to be honest.

I would seriously consider giving the lads 2 weeks rest and play a shadow squad at Spurs next week. They can't keep going like that.

It might be going down to the last game of the season where we play Sheff United and Fulham have Newcastle.

Winner takes all royal rumble.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Never understood why people rate Mitrovic, he's not really that good above the championship.

[DomBFC1882]

So 6 Burnley players. 3 loan players. And 2 Fulham players.

fair point

[cricketfieldclarets]

I don't really fancy are next 5 fixtures to be honest.

I would seriously consider giving the lads 2 weeks rest and play a shadow squad at Spurs next week. They can't keep going like that.

It might be going down to the last game of the season where we play Sheff United and Fulham have Newcastle.

Winner takes all royal rumble.

Good job Dyche didn’t think that at Arsenal. Or anfield.

We need 10 points from our remaining 45.

[Newcastleclaret93]

So 6 Burnley players. 3 loan players. And 2 Fulham players.

If you don’t agree just say you don’t agree instead of being snotty.

In my opinion Dyche would get more out of squad with that has some genuine footballing ability. No doubt our defence is great but our midfield and attack is shocking.

[DomBFC1882]

I don't really fancy are next 5 fixtures to be honest.

I would seriously consider giving the lads 2 weeks rest and play a shadow squad at Spurs next week. They can't keep going like that.

It might be going down to the last game of the season where we play Sheff United and Fulham have Newcastle.

Winner takes all royal rumble.

My heart wouldn't take that

[DomBFC1882]

Good job Dyche didn’t think that at Arsenal. Or anfield.

We need 10 points from our remaining 45.

I don't think that many but I suppose 10 absolutely guarantees safety even if Fulham go on a mad run. Should they do that then our game at their place would be a 6 pointer if we were on a downward spiral

[cricketfieldclarets]

If you don’t agree just say you don’t agree instead of being snotty.

In my opinion Dyche would get more out of squad with that has some genuine footballing ability. No doubt our defence is great but our midfield and attack is shocking.

I’m not being snotty. You said they’ve a better side. But then picked most of the side with our players.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I’m not being snotty. You said they’ve a better side. But then picked most of the side with our players.

I think I said they are a better squad.

Burnley literally has a starting eleven and as it has been proven on a number of occasions this season. As soon as we start getting any injuries the quality of our football drops of a cliff. IE palace 7 days ago with close to our starting eleven and today.

Fulham have a bigger squad and I think Dyche would thrive with numbers and quality like they have

[box_of_frogs]

Really? What have they done to date that would make you want to swap squads?

They can pass the ball to each other?

[Hibsclaret]

You could see today Sam’s tactical nous today. Very impressive how they negated our strengths tbh. That said with Guddy and at least one of the other 2 strikers would probably have lead to us breaking through. We certainly should have had a pen.

The bed wetting on here is ridiculous again. West Brom managed to stifle City and Liverpool away and Man U just last week. You can see Allardyce’s message getting across to the defenders now...

It was also very tough conditions too...and I certainly wouldn’t swap managers tbh

[tiger76]

Good job Dyche didn’t think that at Arsenal. Or anfield.

We need 10 points from our remaining 45.

We are more than capable of springing surprises against the better sides, and let's be honest Spurs form is erratic to say the least, and we've got 8 days recovery time now before the Spurs game, my only concern is the Leicester game now being moved to the Wednesday, ideally we'd have had a free week to prepare for Arsenal, but it can't be helped I suppose, and hopefully we'll have a few back in contention by next week.

BTW we'll do well to get 10 points out of 45, we only have 39 available, but I do agree 37/38 should be enough, mind you Fulham are certainly putting the cat among the pigeons with their recent run, but hopefully that will end at Palace next week.

[DomBFC1882]

We are more than capable of springing surprises against the better sides, and let's be honest Spurs form is erratic to say the least, and we've got 8 days recovery time now before the Spurs game, my only concern is the Leicester game now being moved to the Wednesday, ideally we'd have had a free week to prepare for Arsenal, but it can't be helped I suppose, and hopefully we'll have a few back in contention by next week.

BTW we'll do well to get 10 points out of 45, we only have 39 available, but I do agree 37/38 should be enough, mind you Fulham are certainly putting the cat among the pigeons with their recent run, but hopefully that will end at Palace next week.

I'd take Fulham to stay up and Newcastle to go down tiger

[KRBFC]

Never understood why people rate Mitrovic, he's not really that good above the championship.

Better than what we have imo

[kentonclaret]

"but hopefully that will end at Palace next week"

Without Zaha Palace have lost 18 out of 20 matches played without their talisman. If Zaha does not return in time for the Fulham game the odds are stacked in favour of a win for Fulham so poorly are Palace performing without him.

The problem for Burnley is not the injuries and being down to the bare bones - the same situation occurred last season where we had 2 goalkeepers and kids on the bench more than once.

The problem is that Burnley failed to address the situation in the subsequent transfer windows, when the money went into the directors pockets and we were taken over by an American consortium lacking the finance to radically alter the situation from the get go.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Better than what we have imo

If that's the case, then why isn't he scoring more?
In fact he's never been that prolific in the PL, certainly no better than Wood for example.
He's maybe better than Vydra, but we rarely see Vydra get a run of games or us playing to his strengths

You could make a reasonable argument that he will score more than Barnes in the long run, but it remains to be seen because at this rate he's going back to the championship whereas our strikers will be lining up for yet another PL season.

[TheFamilyCat]

We drew with wba 0-0 away earlier in the season.

We often struggle to unlock teams who try to put us on the front foot. Even more so when they go to ten and try and catch us on the break.

Dyches record against allerdyce is one of his worse. He averages a point a game against him.

We had no right winger.

Our first two strikers were out.

We had zero options on the bench.

The hate towards Dyche and the team is almost hilarious.

Last Friday we were fourth bottom with an 8 point gap with 16 games left and games against three of our rivals with an opportunity to gain on us.

Today we are two places higher. With the same eight point gap but our opponents have three games less in which to catch us.

Every single side around us would swap our manager. Every club below us would swap league positions and run in.

Today wasn’t pretty. But it wasn’t a disaster.

No surprise to see the first two you hooked.

[ElectroClaret]

BTW we'll do well to get 10 points out of 45, we only have 39 available, but I do agree 37/38 should be enough...

35 will be plenty. So another seven.

[cricketfieldclarets]

We are more than capable of springing surprises against the better sides, and let's be honest Spurs form is erratic to say the least, and we've got 8 days recovery time now before the Spurs game, my only concern is the Leicester game now being moved to the Wednesday, ideally we'd have had a free week to prepare for Arsenal, but it can't be helped I suppose, and hopefully we'll have a few back in contention by next week.

BTW we'll do well to get 10 points out of 45, we only have 39 available, but I do agree 37/38 should be enough, mind you Fulham are certainly putting the cat among the pigeons with their recent run, but hopefully that will end at Palace next week.

Wrongly counted 15 games left was thinking of 40 games in the season for some reason.

Tbh even better as that’s less games and points for the opposition too.

[Barlickclaret]

Cfc we are 6pts clear not 8, but agree there is alot on here just to slag dyche and the team off, we will be fine, bottom 3 now will go, but if Fulham do win a couple then Newcastle must be worried with there injuries now.

[elwaclaret]

I just think there is much better quality in there squad. Just a real shame they have a shocking manager.

Dyche would have that squad mid table.

Are you talking about Fulham? Sean Dyche would bomb at somewhere like Fulham, especially with their squad. Parker is doing a very good job for me. He is not my kind of bloke but I think Fulham have progressed massively since he took over. Horses for courses, he fits the mould for West London Sean Dyche suits Lancashire grit.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Cfc we are 6pts clear not 8, but agree there is alot on here just to slag dyche and the team off, we will be fine, bottom 3 now will go, but if Fulham do win a couple then Newcastle must be worried with there injuries now.

It was 8 when I posted until Fulham won. But still we will be fine.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Not surprise but disappointment.

Despite the injury doom and gloom (fuelled by Dyche) we have got to remember that today we had 8 of the first choice 11 playing (and Barnes being first choice is questionable). Dyche rarely makes subs. Fatigue is a factor with the recent midweek games I accept.

OK, we were light up front given Vydra’s scoring record at this level and Brownhill’s lack of creativity. The problems though ran throughout the team. The ease with which West Brom players could play in our box was terrifying. We are playing well in some games and that may be enough but the rank bad performances are adding up.

We’ve had midweek games for quite a few weeks now so I do get it, the occasional bad performance is to be expected. But the “surprise” is in playing some who don’t look remotely good enough. Brownhill is a plucky workhorse, nothing more. Fine as 2nd/3rd reserve like Long but not 1st reserve. Mumbongo wouldn’t be good enough for us in the Championship, even as a bench player, so that’s an odd one. With a man advantage we could have shifted the tactics in all kinds of ways but didn’t apart from one brief formation change.

I’m also a little disappointed in players like McNeil. Full of talent, but too often makes the wrong decision (he is young), his wicked left foot cross is currently his only weapon, he needs more to progress to top teams.

A lack of Plan B, a lack of imagination, a lack of players who can change a game. That’s where I’m disappointed, not for the first time.

[Bin Ont Turf]

The surprise was when they were getting 4 on 2 break aways with 10 men.

Like Keystone Cops was some of that shite.

[jurek]

Well summed up CrosspoolClarets.

Possibly add hugely disappointed.

[KRBFC]

If that's the case, then why isn't he scoring more?
In fact he's never been that prolific in the PL, certainly no better than Wood for example.
He's maybe better than Vydra, but we rarely see Vydra get a run of games or us playing to his strengths

You could make a reasonable argument that he will score more than Barnes in the long run, but it remains to be seen because at this rate he's going back to the championship whereas our strikers will be lining up for yet another PL season.

did he not hit double figures last time Fulham were relegated? He offers waaaay more than just goals though, his all around game is head and shoulders above Wood.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

did he not hit double figures last time Fulham were relegated? He offers waaaay more than just goals though, his all around game is head and shoulders above Wood.

Highest tally in a season in the PL is 11, the only time he's hit double figures.

When Wood is in form, which he isn't this season, I can't imagine why you'd want to replace him with Mitrovic.

[Rileybobs]

did he not hit double figures last time Fulham were relegated? He offers waaaay more than just goals though, his all around game is head and shoulders above Wood.

Mitrovic head and shoulders above Wood

[Woodleyclaret]

Mitrovic is Championship level which will be useful for Fulham
Scottie Parker has had as did his predecessors millions to spend
My question is ,aren't Premier league clubs restricted to 3 loan players ?