Jack Cork

[Newcastleclaret93]

Stronger wording than I’d have used but it is hard to disagree. We all have our favourites but some people could do with professional help in their obsessive dislike of our players. They are all millionaires, because none of them are ****.

I think people read into it too much. You can think a player is crap without not liking him.

I think Brownhill is a really nice lad and a credit to the club with his attitude. However I just think he is a very poor footballer. I’ve got nothing against the guy

[elwaclaret]

I think people read into it too much. You can think a player is crap without not liking him.

I think Brownhill is a really nice lad and a credit to the club with his attitude. However I just think he is a very poor footballer. I’ve got nothing against the guy

I think he is still a young man physically playing against the very best. Brownhill may not yet be up to speed but I’ll wager if we keep him long enough; he’ll become a top top player.

[Dark Cloud]

I think he is still a young man physically playing against the very best. Brownhill may not yet be up to speed but I’ll wager if we keep him long enough; he’ll become a top top player.

Agreed! (in the championship or maybe league one!)

[jrgbfc]

I think he is still a young man physically playing against the very best. Brownhill may not yet be up to speed but I’ll wager if we keep him long enough; he’ll become a top top player.

I doubt it, you can't coach technical ability into a player, they either have it or they don't. You can't fault his workrate, but his use of the ball is dreadful for a premier League midfielder.

[elwaclaret]

Agreed! (in the championship or maybe league one!)

I could have written that for you before kick off, along with several others. Your opinion is well known and becomes just an annoying hum when so often is it repeated. You like Burnley, just not that much that is Burnley. I get it.

[boatshed bill]

Our midfield is struggling at the moment, but I’ll say it again, we are stronger for having Jack Cork in the side. He kept the ball really well today and helped us to keep possession against a very strong midfield opposition.Jack came back into the side at Wolves and played again today. We’ve picked up two cleansheets in the process.

Our midfield is struggling because they are far from the best in PL terms.
Shuffling the pack sometimes produces a bit of a boost, but over all we are not good.
Pointless picking on individuals.

[elwaclaret]

I doubt it, you can't coach technical ability into a player, they either have it or they don't. You can't fault his workrate, but his use of the ball is dreadful for a premier League midfielder.

You could be right… but Brownhill has vision and when our backs are not constantly up against the wall and he can relax a bit, or with experience, it will click in. He would not be playing in the Premier League if he could not pass a football.

(Edit - for clarity)

[boatshed bill]

I doubt it, you can't coach technical ability into a player, they either have it or they don't. You can't fault his workrate, but his use of the ball is dreadful for a premier League midfielder.

All our players have technical ability (varying degrees of), you don't get to play PL football without it.

[Dark Cloud]

I could have written that for you before kick off, along with several others. Your opinion is well known and becomes just an annoying hum when so often is it repeated. You like Burnley, just not that much that is Burnley. I get it.

That's unfair tbh. I have stated elsewhere that Cork played well today, but yes, I have also stated along with others that our whole midfield is somewhat "short" when it comes to PL football. The signings in the summer were very good tbf, but they didn't address the massive problem of central midfield. Cork, Westwood, Stephens, all good players in THEIR DAY, plus Brownhill! Just like Dean Marney. Runs and runs and harries and harries, but creates nowt. Let's be honest here!

[jrgbfc]

You could be right… but Brownhill has vision and when our backs are not constantly up against the wall and he can relax a bit, or with experience, it will click in. He would not be playing in the Premier League if he could not pass a football.

(Edit - for clarity)

Tbh I don't mind Brownhill, hopefully as he gains a bit more experience at this level he can relax and show a bit more composure on the ball.
Towards the end of the game today was a prime example, he got the ball in a decent position in the right channel with a bit of time and just put his head down and wellied it as hard as he could.

[IanMcL]

Cork read the game very well.

[superdimitri]

Brownhill was terrific when he came on today.
Made an interception which led to one of our best chances.
Made a challenge which also led to a good chance.

Everyone looks at a player differently, I can see why some people don't rate him because his passing and play on the ball isn't great, but it's his work off the ball and his reading of the game off it that makes him a good player.

People talk about our strikers feeding off scraps but the same is true with our midfield that spend most of the game seeing the ball fly over their head or to the opposition. Today was a really bad example of it, every defensive header and clearance went to one of their men, whilst when they cleared the ball, they found someone every time.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I think he is still a young man physically playing against the very best. Brownhill may not yet be up to speed but I’ll wager if we keep him long enough; he’ll become a top top player.

He’s 26 in a week. This isn’t a 20 year old player. If he’s not up to it now he never will be.

[elwaclaret]

That's unfair tbh. I have stated elsewhere that Cork played well today, but yes, I have also stated along with others that our whole midfield is somewhat "short" when it comes to PL football. The signings in the summer were very good tbf, but they didn't address the massive problem of central midfield. Cork, Westwood, Stephens, all good players in THEIR DAY, plus Brownhill! Just like Dean Marney. Runs and runs and harries and harries, but creates nowt. Let's be honest here!

Westwood is clearly not in the vein of form he was, is that age or just a player who has pulled the strings in our midfield through some huge occasions, having a poor spell? If Cork can re-find his fitness he is still a huge assist to the club, he’s been written off by club after club but he has earned his place in the Premier League with us, even if it is the closing stages, he deserves nothing but our loyalty. Brownhill, ideally would have been getting rave reviews in the stiffs as one to watch had we had the budget and would have arrived half way to being a hero…

We need to strengthen, everyone knows it but this team is up there with the best teams we’ve ever seen at Burnley, enjoy it we’ll remember these players far more fondly in years to come.

[elwaclaret]

He’s 26 in a week. This isn’t a 20 year old player. If he’s not up to it now he never will be.

Look at the age of his kind of player in the premier league… he is three years off being at his peak, and that would be pretty early.

[ClaretMat]

Dyche made the right call bringing Brownhill on today. We became a lot more combative centrally when he came on.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Look at the age of his kind of player in the premier league… he is three years off being at his peak, and that would be pretty early.

We can’t seriously be expecting him to suddenly pick up technical ability over the next three years.

If he hasn’t got it at 26 he will never have it. We can’t keep carrying players like this. Our problem is we have too many players in the squad that we are carrying at this level

[beddie]

Cork did okay but let’s be honest our midfield is so slow, same old same old. Brownhill did okay when he came in but generally there’s no end product when he completes 90 mins. In January we need two quality players in midfield and at least one quality forward if we’ve any chance of surviving.

[elwaclaret]

We can’t seriously be expecting him to suddenly pick up technical ability over the next three years.

If he hasn’t got it at 26 he will never have it. We can’t keep carrying players like this. Our problem is we have too many players in the squad that we are carrying at this level

Can we carry athletic midfielders with vision? I certainly hope so. I repeat his time will come, he would not be playing in the Premier League and reportedly fancied by a workhorse team like Leeds last summer if there is not a footballer in there.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Can we carry athletic midfielders with vision? I certainly hope so. I repeat his time will come, he would not be playing in the Premier League and reportedly fancied by a workhorse team like Leeds last summer if there is not a footballer in there.

He is neither athletic or has vision.

He’s a grafter like George Boyd. Il say it again as I have for the last 18 months he needs to be replaced in January. Ideally we would sign 2 top CMs to keep us up.

[elwaclaret]

He is neither athletic or has vision.

He’s a grafter like George Boyd. Il say it again as I have for the last 18 months he needs to be replaced in January. Ideally we would sign 2 top CMs to keep us up.

I respect and already know your opinion and would always welcome whatever help we can get in January. But that is kind of the point, we all know your position on him.

[JR1882]

If we go down Cork and Westy and Josh will walk the champ, stay up and realistically need to replace 2/3.

[boatshed bill]

He is neither athletic or has vision.

He’s a grafter like George Boyd. Il say it again as I have for the last 18 months he needs to be replaced in January. Ideally we would sign 2 top CMs to keep us up.

I think he's a decent athlete TBH.
but you are not wrong about us needing two new midfielders.
trouble is we have two currently wasting a chunk of wages, and we are stuck with both.

[BabylonClaret]

Thought Jack had a good game today.

[Sheedyclaret]

That starting 11 today shows how long we have stood still as a football club transfer wise, not good enough probably had that same line up 2 or 3 seasons ago..

[Dark Cloud]

That starting 11 today shows how long we have stood still as a football club transfer wise, not good enough probably had that same line up 2 or 3 seasons ago..

I think this post has it in a nutshell. Not many other (any?) PL clubs would say the same re line up and it definitely points to Cork being a really good signing 3 years ago, but now......? Mmmm.

[ClaretTony]

Thought Jack had a good game today.

He’s come in at Wolves and again today and played really well in my opinion.

[wilks_bfc]

A good game from him today

I just wish he’d have flung himself in at the back post when Jay fluffed his effort near the end

[warksclaret]

Thought he showed a lot of class today when in possession, as well as a bit of steel with his tackling.Earned the right to play v Watford. Very pleased SD took Westwood off instead of him. Thought Brownhil was very good when he came on too

[ksrclaret]

Cork and Brownhill for me against Watford if we're doing 442. Both played well.

Westwood was rank today and if I have to watch him whack forward another unsuccessful hopeful ball I think I'll scream.

[boatshed bill]

Cork and Brownhill for me against Watford if we're doing 442. Both played well.

Westwood was rank today and if I have to watch him whack forward another unsuccessful hopeful ball I think I'll scream.

A lot of his forward passes really do rely on movement up front.
I believe he is our top midfielder in terms of running stats this season

[BurnleyFC]

Our central midfield is, and has been, frighteningly bad for quite some time. Not even frighteningly bad in Premier League terms, either.

Dale Stephens was obviously bought to help address this situation but he’s been even worse.

[Richardsbfc]

Cork and Brownhill for me against Watford if we're doing 442. Both played well.

Westwood was rank today and if I have to watch him whack forward another unsuccessful hopeful ball I think I'll scream.

The old non league triangle pass. Must be practised on training ground as Brownhill was trying it last week. Shameful.

[bobinho]

Played very well today did Jack.

[Papabendi]

Anyone still sold?

[jedi_master]

He looked done at this level, today.

The contest with Klich just before the third goal was embarrassing for Jack I’m sorry to say. He’s been a really good player for Burnley across three spells, but the time is up for him in this league now.

[ksrclaret]

I just feel mightily sorry for him. Set up to fail by Dyche by playing him in a two with the hapless Westwood when it was obvious that Leeds would run all over us.

Tried his best of course, which is more than I can say for some of his mates, but never stood a chance today.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Why was he set up to fail?

[ksrclaret]

Why was he set up to fail?

Read on and you'll find out

[Papabendi]

Can't run

[burnleymik]

Ironically Cork was better than Westwood today. Westwood hasn't been good for a while now, his short passing is dreadful and he isn't breaking up play like he once did.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Read on and you'll find out

Why was it obvious they’d overrun us?

We played Wolves away a few games and they didn’t?
Has Brownhill been that good?

[Roosterbooster]

I miss Dean Marney

[BurnleyFC]

Ineffective, slow, turgid.

[ksrclaret]

Why was it obvious they’d overrun us?

We played Wolves away a few games and they didn’t?
Has Brownhill been that good?

Because Leeds play a high-energy game based on running all over the opposition. Cork couldn't keep up, as expected, and was swarmed in and out of possession.

Brownhill hasn't been that good but he's by far our most dynamic and energetic midfielder. He would have held his own to greater effect (not saying having Brownhill would have changed the result though).

The bottom line is this 442 is failing us. The evidence is there for all to see in terms of performances and statistics.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I wouldn’t be against us moving to a different formation, results indicate we need to change something.
I can’t agree he was set up to fail, most of his problems came from his own decision making as well as a lack of options to the side and in front of him.

[jdrobbo]

Cork was very poor today. The worrying thing was he was comfortably our best central midfielder.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

As at Old Trafford yards off the pace again today.

[KRBFC]

Constantly losing 70/30 challenges in his favour. He's so fragile, a small gust of wind and I'd fear for his safety.

When I said his legs have gone I didn't mean quite literally, like a newborn giraffe.

Looks half cut with his jelly legs.

[ksrclaret]

I wouldn’t be against us moving to a different formation, results indicate we need to change something.
I can’t agree he was set up to fail, most of his problems came from his own decision making as well as a lack of options to the side and in front of him.

I use the term set up to fail because, by now, Dyche knows very well what Cork's strengths are and what his weaknesses are. When he's being swamped by Leeds his decision making is going to become very rushed and panicked, because our rigid 442 doesn't allow for the sort of movement of his team mates that would allow him options. When you press our players in this system, it almost always results in an immediate turnover of possession, or a big hoof downfield.

I don't think any of that above is new information or things that were difficult to foresee happening. So I'm struggling to come to terms with why Dyche did it anyway.