Wigan v Burnley match thread

[NRC]

A very different game from the previous 5. Far less possession, far quicker, far less tika-taka, opposition standing toe-to-toe with us, not playing a low press. More of an old-fashioned game, and very, very entertaining

Maybe we’ll revert to a possession game 2nd half

[Murger]

Taylor is not a centre-back.

[jedi_master]

We are far too physically limited in height and strength, in pretty much every area of the pitch (goalkeeper apart probably, but he has his own problems).

[CryerBFC]

Muric is seriously poor. Wigan are awful but we stopped playing when we went 2 up. Clearly we learned nothing from the Blackpool debacle. Being outplayed now

[ElectroClaret]

Liverpool 5 Bournemouth 0
City 0 Palace 2

[Braindead]

Muric is dogger

[CoolClaret]

If this is not a reminder that we need a commanding authoritative CH , then I dont know what is

Exactly what I thought

[RVclaret]

A very different game from the previous 5. Far less possession, far quicker, far less tika-taka, opposition standing toe-to-toe with us, not playing a low press. More of an old-fashioned game, and very, very entertaining

Maybe we’ll revert to a possession game 2nd half

Yeah we’ve stopped playing our normal game haven’t we?

Been a lot more direct today and not looked after the ball anywhere near as well.

Problem is our defence isn’t good enough (yet) to sustain consistent pressure.

[warksclaret]

VK's reputation is at stake. He needs to be making decisions after 6 games now about GK and CH

[BurnleyFC]

I’ve given Taylor the benefit of the doubt at centre back but he keeps getting caught out with the long ball over the top.

Muric can’t continue to make mistake game after game, either - there has to be some culpability.

I hope McNally can step into Taylor’s shoes and I hope our new goalkeeper from PSG is up to scratch.

[ElectroClaret]

Keepers mad as a hatter.

[ClaretAndJew]

Brace from Tella incoming.

[Leyland Claret]

Mr Kompany….Charlie Taylor is NOT a CH!! As Anne Robinson used to say “You are the weakest link…

[Milltown1882]

Muric is the new scapegoat then.

[eastcoastclaret]

Muric is this seasons scapegoat I see.

We always have to have one

[JimmyRobbo]

Seen enough of Muric now - he’s gonna cost us more than he will benefit of us.

It’s just wreckless.

Also we HAVE to get a commanding centre half - only way we get beaten is when the opposition goes direct and at set pieces

While he didn't fill me with confidence, it wasn't really his fault for the goal. He's looked decent, mostly otherwise.

[boatshed bill]

Wigan on the same points as us at the start of play yet some of you think we should be walking these games.
We are winning, you know

[CryerBFC]

Muric doesn’t have to make that challenge if the back line deal with it. Charlie Taylor is not a CB. Got away with his hooked clearance, back across goal which was pretty much a cross for Wigan.

Defence can’t deal with long high balls, simple as that, Muric either comes and attempts to get it, or stands on his line, deals with a 1 on 1, and get slated for not coming out. Can’t win.

[tiger76]

Well at least we got to HT 2-1 up, but yet again we've given the opposition a way back into the game when 2-0 to the good.

[warksclaret]

Taylor is not a centre-back.

Agreed-its plain to see. Have a look at all the goals conceded this season, and look at his positioning-not his fault. Has only ever played LB

[BurnleyFC]

Muric is this seasons scapegoat I see.

We always have to have one

Not a scapegoat, just hugely error prone.

[Lowbankclaret]

Surprised Muric didn’t get a red for that challenge. We all thought the card was coming but it never did.

[Rileybobs]

We seem to crumble under any sustained pressure. Taylor looks like the weak link in the defence and Wigan have exposed this by playing the ball into the gap between him and THB relentlessly. Also not as convinced as most on here about THB, seems to get caught the wrong side of his man far too often when the ball is played long and is weak in the air.

[RVclaret]

Not a scapegoat, just hugely error prone.

That’s the first keeping error he’s made.

Last week was Cullen involved too.

As it happens, Muric’s passing has been much better today.

[RVclaret]

We seem to crumble under any sustained pressure. Taylor looks like the weak link in the defence and Wigan have exposed this by playing the ball into the gap between him and THB relentlessly. Also not as convinced as most on here about THB, seems to get caught the wrong side of his man far too often when the ball is played long and is weak in the air.

Fair comments all round, seen this with THB too.

[Neil]

Looked vulnerable every game bar Huddersfield to the "Westwood ball" ie a.simple hoof over the top in between the full back position and centre half. And it's mainly down our left hand side.

[tiger76]

Taylor is not a centre-back.

Bizarre isn't it how managers can't see the blooming obvious, Taylor is a decent LB , yet for some reason known only to him VK continues to deploy him at CH.

[ElectroClaret]

Surprised Muric didn’t get a red for that challenge. We all thought the card was coming but it never did.

Think there were covering defenders. Only thing that saved him.

[Rileybobs]

Bizarre isn't it how managers can't see the blooming obvious, Taylor is a decent LB , yet for some reason known only to him VK continues to deploy him at CH.

I’m sure VK can see it, hence the centre backs we seem to be targeting. But he obviously sees Taylor as the best option we have.

[CryerBFC]

Think there were covering defenders. Only thing that saved him.

I thought you couldn’t get a red and give away a pen? Seen as a double punishment?

[Rileybobs]

I thought you couldn’t get a red and give away a pen? Seen as a double punishment?

I think that’s correct unless you make no attempt to play the ball which Muric did.

[jedi_master]

Muric has been much better with the ball at his feet today (he’s only been closed down once, and he has gone long on occasion when it’s suited - to good effect).

All largely nullified of course by a terrible bit of decision making, which is now two (potentially) game/result changing decisions in two games. He is too eccentric when we need calmness.

As a note, the centre backs are clearly not blameless. Wigan have looked League 1 standard, yet keep getting in by a simple ball over the top - that is unacceptable. We need a centre back who is, above all else, good in the air.

[NRC]

We’ve only won 32% of contested headers. It exposes our lack of height stature

[daveisaclaret]

Muric couldn't be sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity because he didn't deny a goalscoring opportunity. The guy had his shot before getting cleaned out.

Dreadful goalkeeping mind.

[ElectroClaret]

I thought you couldn’t get a red and give away a pen? Seen as a double punishment?

Yes now you mention it seem to remember something about that.

[tiger76]

I’m sure VK can see it, hence the centre backs we seem to be targeting. But he obviously sees Taylor as the best option we have.

No slight on Charlie but if he's the best CB option we've got that's a big concern.

[Safron]

Muric is the new scapegoat then.

Exactly problem started with jbg overplaying and getting caught in possession, but anytime we are put under pressure with direct football we go to pieces, we don't look half as effective today, big second half needed

[KRBFC]

One thing I was always told in amateur football was NEVER let the ball bounce.

[Tricky Trevor]

I haven’t seen enough of Muric to rate him but 2 thoughts spring to mind.
1) His goals conceded against shots faced is appalling.
2) He was chased out by Forest.

[milkcrate_mosh]

You don't get sent off for denial of a goal scoring opportunity when it's a penalty as long as it's a genuine attempt at the ball. Rules changed about 5 years ago.

[burnleymik]

Our approach certainly looks different here, using the wide men more.

Muric made a rash decision, but has otherwise looked ok, some good moving the ball around. Might be lucky he only got a yellow, but if we come out of the blocks quickly we should win this one hopefully with another goal or so.

[Lowbankclaret]

Think there were covering defenders. Only thing that saved him.

Opposite end of the pitch from us so hard to see from here.

[tiger76]

We’ve only won 32% of contested headers. It exposes our lack of height stature

That stat doesn't surprise me, indeed I'm shocked it's that high, and other teams will be well aware of our weakness in the air.

[RVclaret]

Don’t really get why we stopped playing our possession game. You’d think at 2-0 it plays into our hands. Some reason we started letting them stroll it around and weren’t pressing, then when we got it, looking direct and losing it.

As well, why have we not threatened their LCB more who got booked after a minute? Should have had balls in and around him, looks shaky.

[Longsider]

Up to 6th as it stands. We need to see this second half out.

[NRC]

What happened to George Boyd. I thought he was supposed to do commentary today with Phil Bird

[gtclaret]

My Clarets Player commentary has gone, anybody else having problems

[Rileybobs]

Don’t really get why we stopped playing our possession game. You’d think at 2-0 it plays into our hands. Some reason we started letting them stroll it around and weren’t pressing, then when we got it, looking direct and losing it.

They seem to struggle with how to manage games. We don’t appear to be able to take the sting out of the game, or know when to play short/long. There’s been some poor decision making too, most notably from Taylor who had a very poor half.

Still, could be worse.

[Elizabeth]

Come on Burnley

[Vino blanco]

I said after the Huddersfield game, after first seeing the team, we need height and pace at the back. Unfortunately Taylor is not a centre back and Vitinho is not a defensive left back. Having said that we played some very good football in the first 25 minutes but these teams suss our weaknesses out quickly and simply whack balls over our cbs to run on to. Cork and Cullen need to get hold of the ball in this second half.