Kompany needs to stay

[dsr]

Nothing wrong with calling it as it is. 41 goals conceded in 20 games is a poor defence and I would like to hear any arguments otherwise.

I am firmly in the Kompany IN camp, but the good moments we show on the pitch do not turn into points at anywhere near enough to survive in the PL. Mistakes have been made and if they aren't called out, then we will make them again.

25 in the first 10 games is poor, and 16 in the next 10 is a lot better. We're heading in the right direction.

I think Kompany can learn from his mistakes without being called out a messageboard - I'm not saying we can't call them out, but we needn't flatter ourselves that it will make any difference.

[ksrclaret]

We are doing everything we can. We spent £100m in the summer and signed some great players. What do you want us to do, spend another £100m?

We have signed some players who could be great.

We have also signed some who either aren't anywhere near ready, or simply aren't good enough for the league.

The money was spent, but it was not spent correctly.

[Ampth7]

Thought we were great today and took a top team to the wire. Relegation looks fairly ominous now, but assuming VK is up to the challenge of another year in the Championship, then game on and let’s go again! Keep 90% of this squad, add a bit of steel and nous and I reckon we’re good to go.
Equally, I don’t wish to write this season off, because these players can learn an awful lot in a short space of time, but I think it’s fair to say our goose is cooked so to speak.

[NewClaret]

I know a few Villa lads, all season ticket holders in the Holte End. None of them thought it was a penalty (all were delighted and found it hilarious though ), all thought their defender should have walked for the handball, rightly said they missed enough chances to win 3 games and were all unanimous in the massive difference between the two games. We've improved massively (although I think we are going down) and the future looks really bright for us imho, a relegation doesn't change that or my support.

Agree, the future does look really bright. Like you I think we’re relegated but still feel hugely positive about the future.

Were the 19th best team in England, way above where we should be as a town team really, so many teams would love to be in our position and I wouldn’t swap our squad for any in the division below. Lots to look forward to in 2024.

[CrosspoolClarets]

If somebody can identify a manager who can organise Vitinho, O’Shea, Delcroix and Taylor into a solid Premier League defence I’ll give them a million pounds.

It’s too harsh to say you can’t polish a turd, I don’t mind any of them, but at the start of the season Kompany had that as his reserve back four, at best.

We lost our best defender and best midfielder during the game today, that’s the context.

[Ampth7]

It's a tall order but the next three league games are Luton (h), Man City (a) & Fulham (h)

Six points from those three and we give ourselves a chance.

We have to play the following at home:-

Luton
Fulham
Arsenal
Bournemouth
Brentford
Wolves
Brighton
Newcastle
Nottingham Forest

We aren't going to win them all but there are realistic points available there, I do feel we'll need to win an unexpected game somewhere against a top eight side.

The performances are better, just need to results to go with them.

The problem being that we aren’t currently winning ANY home games. Sorry, I am playing Devils advocate here, but to rely on our woeful home form doesn’t currently build much confidence.

[NewClaret]

We have signed some players who could be great.

We have also signed some who either aren't anywhere near ready, or simply aren't good enough for the league.

The money was spent, but it was not spent correctly.

Disagree.

We had no vote because what was left was ageing, OOC or wanted out (Tarks, Mee).

Replacing that core with PL-ready, experienced players was impossible because, guess what, they’re a finite commodity and bloody expensive (we couldn’t afford to re-sign Tarks, Mee or Pope now, could we?).

So we went for youth. Very talented youth. Pretty sure that strategy will pay off in future years if not this. It’s the right strategy in my opinion - to build a new core based on players we believe have the highest possible ceiling.

[Wile E Coyote]

Serious question, you don’t believe there’s a single manager in world football that would have this squad on more points than 11 from 20 games?

I mean Rob Edwards is doing it at Luton.

I get you really like VK but calling people Dimwits and making silly suggestions like that really doesn’t help your point

ignoring your snorting arrogance, yes, I totally believe in my comment.
The world of football is irrelevant, VK was appointed to manage Burnley. We were promoted into a billionaire league, but football skill rules the day. his philosophy is at odds with the easy money of the city and arsenal elite, and he has to fashion a survival team on a comparatively shoestring budget. He instills football knowledge into young and raw talent as quickly as possible. the team is doing better.

[ksrclaret]

Disagree.

We had no vote because what was left was ageing, OOC or wanted out (Tarks, Mee).

Replacing that core with PL-ready, experienced players was impossible because, guess what, they’re a finite commodity and bloody expensive (we couldn’t afford to re-sign Tarks, Mee or Pope now, could we?).

So we went for youth. Very talented youth. Pretty sure that strategy will pay off in future years if not this. It’s the right strategy in my opinion - to build a new core based on players we believe have the highest possible ceiling.

I'm talking about what we did this summer.

Comments about Tarks and Mee leaving are completely irrelevant.

Yes, we should have signed some young players. But, guess what (to coin your patronising parlance) we should have supplemented them with experienced pros as well. As one example, Jonny Evans was available all summer on a free. As another example, we had Andros Townsend in the building but let him go.

A balance was perfectly achievable, but we elected for the wrong options. The strategy was the wrong one because, as you've said, we're absolutely done and it's not even January yet.

[Gp8419]

Got to stay for me, now the forms changed we now seem to be getting no luck. Worried about the defence I don’t like to be critical but O’Shea and delboy are one of the worst centre haif partnerships at too Level syncs we had Leon Cort etc.

[Goody1975]

The problem being that we aren’t currently winning ANY home games. Sorry, I am playing Devils advocate here, but to rely on our woeful home form doesn’t currently build much confidence.

That's valid but who have we played at home this season?

Man City
Aston Villa
Tottenham
Man Utd
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
West Ham
Sheffield United
Everton
Liverpool

The Palace & West Ham games should have seen us pick up something but the majority of other fixtures were against the big sides in this league.

We are now a far more settled side and although there are no guarantees I feel there are quite a few realistically winnable games at home. The away games look horrific but there is a chance.

If we have seventeen points after the Fulham game then a lot more on here will believe too. We may have given ourselves too much to do, we'll see.

[Swizzlestick]

Didn’t Jonny Evans sign that deal with Man United pretty quickly after leaving Leicester? Not sure he was available all summer. Townsend I would’ve signed, but we were obviously swimming in wingers already and did sign experience in Nathan Redmond, who I think should’ve had more game time.

[ksrclaret]

Didn’t Jonny Evans sign that deal with Man United pretty quickly after leaving Leicester? Not sure he was available all summer. Townsend I would’ve signed, but we were obviously swimming in wingers already and did sign experience in Nathan Redmond, who I think should’ve had more game time.

He signed a 1 year deal with Man Utd on deadline day. He was just training with them prior to that, I think.

But that was simply one example off the top of my head. A recruitment database ought to have pulled up plenty of realistic "experienced pros" if the right questions were asked of it, and that's the point I was making.

[Boss Hogg]

A lot of assumptions that we will walk the Championship. Not sure we will. Everything clicked last year but there are some very big clubs down there. VK staying means lots more naive defending , lots more defeats, more odd substitutions and more unmerited game time for certain players. I’m not sure any manager could survive this record at another club.

[NewClaret]

I'm talking about what we did this summer.

Comments about Tarks and Mee leaving are completely irrelevant.

Yes, we should have signed some young players. But, guess what (to coin your patronising parlance) we should have supplemented them with experienced pros as well. As one example, Jonny Evans was available all summer on a free. As another example, we had Andros Townsend in the building but let him go.

A balance was perfectly achievable, but we elected for the wrong options. The strategy was the wrong one because, as you've said, we're absolutely done and it's not even January yet.

Jonny Evans signed for United. I’m pretty sure if that were ever an option available to him we wouldn’t have had a look in. He was also on £3m a year at Leicester and probably not looking to take big pay cut.

Townsend may have been a better choice than Redmond as things have turned out. But Redmond is an example of experience we have signed and 3 years younger I think, so can see the theory there.

You’ve mentioned two, I’ll mention a third - Barkley, but he’d again have been a big risk given he’d been out to pasture for a few seasons and disciplinary issues to boot.

So there’s three with Prem experience available that we might have signed. I’m struggling for more, which was my point really - scarce pickings.

[Swizzlestick]

He signed a 1 year deal with Man Utd on deadline day. He was just training with them prior to that, I think.

But that was simply one example off the top of my head. A recruitment database ought to have pulled up plenty of realistic "experienced pros" if the right questions were asked of it, and that's the point I was making.

He signed a kind of short term contract before that though - I guess we could’ve enquired but it obviously meant United having first dibs.

I think our approach was too scattershot and we were aiming to sign more experience than we actually did - we went for Milner too until Brighton outgunned us. I don’t actually think there’s too many of those players out there which is why I was surprised we ditched Townsend.

[CrosspoolClarets]

That's valid but who have we played at home this season?

Man City
Aston Villa
Tottenham
Man Utd
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
West Ham
Sheffield United
Everton
Liverpool

The Palace & West Ham games should have seen us pick up something but the majority of other fixtures were against the big sides in this league.

We are now a far more settled side and although there are no guarantees I feel there are quite a few realistically winnable games at home. The away games look horrific but there is a chance.

If we have seventeen points after the Fulham game then a lot more on here will believe too. We may have given ourselves too much to do, we'll see.

We have to go to Sheffield, Everton, West Ham and Palace. I wouldn’t rule out Man Utd either. Get 7 points from them and we may need 20 from the home games which is do-able IF we get off to a good start by beating Luton and Fulham. Remember none of us expected anything today and if Forest lose 2 easy games they are back at square one. Unlikely but you never know.

[ksrclaret]

Jonny Evans signed for United. I’m pretty sure if that were ever an option available to him we wouldn’t have had a look in. He was also on £3m a year at Leicester and probably not looking to take big pay cut.

Townsend may have been a better choice than Redmond as things have turned out. But Redmond is an example of experience we have signed and 3 years younger I think, so can see the theory there.

You’ve mentioned two, I’ll mention a third - Barkley, but he’d again have been a big risk given he’d been out to pasture for a few seasons and disciplinary issues to boot.

So there’s three with Prem experience available that we might have signed. I’m struggling for more, which was my point really - scarce pickings.

Not sure at all about the scarce pickings comment.

There are players at other clubs we could have signed. People like James Tomkins, Stuart Armstrong, Conor Coady, Harry Winks etc etc would all have given us a better chance of results this season.

Now, I'm sure you're going to tell me that the club couldn't afford their wages, or that an individual player isn't good enough etc, but these are just examples. We should have done better in balancing the squad.

[dsr]

He signed a kind of short term contract before that though - I guess we could’ve enquired but it obviously meant United having first dibs.

I think our approach was too scattershot and we were aiming to sign more experience than we actually did - we went for Milner too until Brighton outgunned us. I don’t actually think there’s too many of those players out there which is why I was surprised we ditched Townsend.

We could have paid for an experineced pro, we weren't restricted to freebies.

That is the biggest mistake Kompany made IMO. I expect he has learned from it. That's my point from earlier, we shouldn't think of sacking Kompany for his mistakes unless we think he hasn't learned.

[Ampth7]

That's valid but who have we played at home this season?

Man City
Aston Villa
Tottenham
Man Utd
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
West Ham
Sheffield United
Everton
Liverpool

The Palace & West Ham games should have seen us pick up something but the majority of other fixtures were against the big sides in this league.

We are now a far more settled side and although there are no guarantees I feel there are quite a few realistically winnable games at home. The away games look horrific but there is a chance.

If we have seventeen points after the Fulham game then a lot more on here will believe too. We may have given ourselves too much to do, we'll see.

Believe me when I say that I am fully behind your thinking here! We need to win 8 games to stand a chance in my opinion, so let’s go with your optimism. We surely HAVE to beat Luton in our next league game though, which makes me think this game is realistically do or die, again, in my opinion.

[Swizzlestick]

We could have paid for an experineced pro, we weren't restricted to freebies.

That is the biggest mistake Kompany made IMO. I expect he has learned from it. That's my point from earlier, we shouldn't think of sacking Kompany for his mistakes unless we think he hasn't learned.

I guess the experienced pro has to be good enough too - we can’t just sign somebody for the sake of it. Maybe we overthought it and aimed too high - should’ve gone for a Coady instead of a Milner e.g.

[NewClaret]

Not sure at all about the scarce pickings comment.

There are players at other clubs we could have signed. People like James Tomkins, Stuart Armstrong, Conor Coady, Harry Winks etc etc would all have given us a better chance of results this season.

Now, I'm sure you're going to tell me that the club couldn't afford their wages, or that an individual player isn't good enough etc, but these are just examples. We should have done better in balancing the squad.

I won’t go in to the list as I do disagree some of them would materially improve us. We also don’t know which experience we tried to sign and wouldn’t come. Rumours are that Dier was on that list.

I don’t disagree with the general theory more experience would’ve been better. Milner, Dier, maybe Young, would’ve been good signings but they all had better options or didn’t fancy it.

I’m pretty sure if Kompany analyses his lessons learned at the end of the season he will have a long list, and more experience will be on it. Many tactics points as well. He’s 36 or whatever, that’s to be expected.

[ksrclaret]

I won’t go in to the list as I do disagree some of them would materially improve us. We also don’t know which experience we tried to sign and wouldn’t come. Rumours are that Dier was on that list.

I don’t disagree with the general theory more experience would’ve been better. Milner, Dier, maybe Young, would’ve been good signings but they all had better options or didn’t fancy it.

I’m pretty sure if Kompany analyses his lessons learned at the end of the season he will have a long list, and more experience will be on it. Many tactics points as well. He’s 36 or whatever, that’s to be expected.

Yes, I would expect him to reflect on a lot of things at the end of this season.

He should look at the summer Dyche had in 2017. Signed Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor from the Championship as his "talent to develop players", and then signed Jack Cork, Phil Bardsley, and Jon Walters from the Premier League to balance the squad. A textbook example of how it should be done and that was the year we finished 7th.

[CoolClaret]

Yes, I would expect him to reflect on a lot of things at the end of this season.

He should look at the summer Dyche had in 2017. Signed Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor from the Championship as his "talent to develop players", and then signed Jack Cork, Phil Bardsley, and Jon Walters from the Premier League to balance the squad. A textbook example of how it should be done and that was the year we finished 7th.

The previous year we did some top business as well.

Popey, JBG, Hendrick (was good for us), Defour and of course Westwood and Brady in January (as well as resigning Barton)

[Goody1975]

Believe me when I say that I am fully behind your thinking here! We need to win 8 games to stand a chance in my opinion, so let’s go with your optimism. We surely HAVE to beat Luton in our next league game though, which makes me think this game is realistically do or die, again, in my opinion.

I'll go as far as saying we need three points against both Luton & Fulham.

The other three games in our next five are against Man City (a), Liverpool (a) and Arsenal (h)

A minimum of six points from those five games keeps us in the game, otherwise we're going to need snookers.

[KRBFC]

Nothing wrong with calling it as it is. 41 goals conceded in 20 games is a poor defence and I would like to hear any arguments otherwise.

I think everybody including VK after last season fancied Roberts to be more than good enough at right back. Al Dakhil to be able to fill in comfortably. Cullen to be good enough.

The truth is our better players from last year have been the worst ones this season, the only way for anybody to figure that out was to give them an opportunity, sink or swim.

We’ve also been decimated with injuries throughout the squad, Beyer again today gone off. Ekdal injured all season. Foster missed months.

The defence we finished the game with today isn’t good enough, the problem is those are playing because the likes of Roberts haven’t been good enough. Ekdal and Beyer injured.

It’s easy to be hindsight Henry though

[Ampth7]

I'll go as far as saying we need three points against both Luton & Fulham.

The other three games in our next five are against Man City (a), Liverpool (a) and Arsenal (h)

A minimum of six points from those five games keeps us in the game, otherwise we're going to need snookers.

The point being of course, where would we be getting our 7/8 wins from? Today summed up our season so far IMO; play some nice stuff, but ultimately concede one more than we manage to score. That trend simply must be somehow reversed for 8 games between now and the end of the season. I am praying to ALL Gods!!!

[RVclaret]

Good post from the OP and 100% agree.

For a start, in my view our current points total is around 6-8 short of what it should be, that includes both VAR errors and results we’d have got with our star striker fully available. Those tight games against the likes of West Ham, United and Palace, where we lacked a bit of cutting edge, look at Lyle’s performance yesterday. I think any newly promoted side missing their main man for months would struggle. Forest would have gone down last season if not for Awonyi’s goals and/or Gibbs-White’s brilliance.

Kompany has assembled this team, players have joined Burnley, I’m sure for Premier League football, but also because of him. No doubt. Our best chance at retaining them next season is by keeping him. Keeping Foster is a priority and hopefully the empathy VK has shown during his situation helps with that. I’ve said all along and maintain the view that this squad is better than last season. It’s now improving more and more. A few may leave in the summer but I have some belief we’ll retain a large core and add some new. It’s therefore not illogical to think we could have another fun, and successful, Championship season.

[Newcastleclaret93]

ignoring your snorting arrogance, yes, I totally believe in my comment.
The world of football is irrelevant, VK was appointed to manage Burnley. We were promoted into a billionaire league, but football skill rules the day. his philosophy is at odds with the easy money of the city and arsenal elite, and he has to fashion a survival team on a comparatively shoestring budget. He instills football knowledge into young and raw talent as quickly as possible. the team is doing better.

I’m sorry but that is just absolute rubbish and you know it.

The Luton manager has performed better than us and his squad was literally formed on a shoe string budget.

Off course there are managers that would have performed better. As much as we have improved we are still statistically one of the worst performing premier league sides in history at this point of a season.

[MDWat]

Not sure how any of the post you’ve quoted is ‘absolute rubbish’

Everything he has said is true. £100m is pittance in this league.

Sure, Luton are currently doing better than us. But the season hasn’t finished yet and our development seems quite obvious in most areas to me.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not sure how any of the post you’ve quoted is ‘absolute rubbish’

Everything he has said is true. £100m is pittance in this league.

Sure, Luton are currently doing better than us. But the season hasn’t finished yet and our development seems quite obvious in most areas to me.

He’s saying he doesn’t believe there’s a single manager in world football that could have performed better than VK.

His reasoning is because of the finances.

Like I said it’s absolute rubbish. Theres literally an example of a manager in our league doing better with less resources.

Does development really matter now? We are down the season is done and it’s not even January.

[MDWat]

Appreciate that and that’s probably a bit over the top but I don’t think he’s doing a bad job. Then again, I tend to believe that we have a 5 year plan, and that it’s one that isn’t dependent on us being in the Premier League every season. These things take time.

Am I happy with how the season is going? Not especially.

Do I see development in our players? Yes, some, definitely.

Just because one manager is doing better with a totally different club in totally different circumstances doesn’t mean that Kompany isn’t the man for us.

You’re comparing apples and donuts at the same banquet.

Does development really matter? Well, yes. It’s quite evident that the whole blueprint of the club is now on player development. Buy players at the right time and develop them at a good rate to make a profit; rinse and repeat.

Sure, a couple of players look like failures but there are at least 4 or 5 examples of players where we’ll make quite significant profit.

[Nori1958]

He’s saying he doesn’t believe there’s a single manager in world football that could have performed better than VK.

His reasoning is because of the finances.

Like I said it’s absolute rubbish. Theres literally an example of a manager in our league doing better with less resources.

Does development really matter now? We are down the season is done and it’s not even January.

Of course development matters

Either improving players for Burnley, or increasing their value if we sell them

[TPClaret]

Of course development matters

Either improving players for Burnley, or increasing their value if we sell them

Look at Foster, people wrote him off last season. Look how he’s improved him and I’m convinced we’d have more points if he wasn’t out

[Newcastleclaret93]

Appreciate that and that’s probably a bit over the top but I don’t think he’s doing a bad job. Then again, I tend to believe that we have a 5 year plan, and that it’s one that isn’t dependent on us being in the Premier League every season. These things take time.

Am I happy with how the season is going? Not especially.

Do I see development in our players? Yes, some, definitely.

Just because one manager is doing better with a totally different club in totally different circumstances doesn’t mean that Kompany isn’t the man for us.

You’re comparing apples and donuts at the same banquet.

Does development really matter? Well, yes. It’s quite evident that the whole blueprint of the club is now on player development. Buy players at the right time and develop them at a good rate to make a profit; rinse and repeat.

Sure, a couple of players look like failures but there are at least 4 or 5 examples of players where we’ll make quite significant profit.

As a fan I am just not big on this development stuff everyone is pushing. I would rather watch us compete now, not be rubbish and then when they finally get to a decent standard we shift them on. It means we never actually get to watch any of the benefit.

That’s what I meant by its complete rubbish what he is saying about VK.

He’s clearly a good manager but this approach isn’t going to keep us in the league. Saying things like no other manager in world football gets anything better from this squad is just a stupid point.

I’m pretty certain VK himself could get better from this squad if it wasn’t all focused on developing youth and playing the right way.

[TPClaret]

As a fan I am just not big on this development stuff everyone is pushing. I would rather watch us compete now, not be rubbish and then when they finally get to a decent standard we shift them on. It means we never actually get to watch any of the benefit.

That’s what I meant by its complete rubbish what he is saying about VK.

He’s clearly a good manager but this approach isn’t going to keep us in the league. Saying things like no other manager in world football gets anything better from this squad is just a stupid point.

I’m pretty certain VK himself could get better from this squad if it wasn’t all focused on developing youth and playing the right way.

Has Kompany not already developed these players in such a short space of time. We are in games a lot more now and he’s adapted our style of play from the start of the season

[Newcastleclaret93]

Has Kompany not already developed these players in such a short space of time. We are in games a lot more now and he’s adapted our style of play from the start of the season

A handful have developed yes, have they developed enough to stay up. No not even remotely close.

A handful might be premier league players by the end of the season. Then we will sell them and we start all over again but in a league below that will no doubt result in a complete re build of the squad.

Go down this season and we are effectively where we were when Dyche left.

[Jakubclaret]

As a fan I am just not big on this development stuff everyone is pushing. I would rather watch us compete now, not be rubbish and then when they finally get to a decent standard we shift them on. It means we never actually get to watch any of the benefit.

That’s what I meant by its complete rubbish what he is saying about VK.

He’s clearly a good manager but this approach isn’t going to keep us in the league. Saying things like no other manager in world football gets anything better from this squad is just a stupid point.

I’m pretty certain VK himself could get better from this squad if it wasn’t all focused on developing youth and playing the right way.

I guess there’s nothing wrong with being a feeder club & continually flog them on at a profit but like you say it’s soul destroying if that’s the objective with no tangible benefit. The argument that we can get millions for them is all good & well if the money is reinvested if it isn’t what’s the point. You need the right blend without putting all your eggs in 1 basket as we have done.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I guess there’s nothing wrong with being a feeder club & continually flog them on at a profit but like you say it’s soul destroying if that’s the objective with no tangible benefit. The argument that we can get millions for them is all good & well if the money is reinvested if it isn’t what’s the point. You need the right blend without putting all your eggs in 1 basket as we have done.

I have no problem with developing talent as long as it doesn’t affect league position.

Brighton have the perfect blend. They have some top experienced pros and introduce 3-4 young lads to help them develop.

[quoonbeatz]

He’s clearly a good manager.

[CaptJohn]

Kompany is undoubtedly part of the long term plan at Burnley. Getting promoted last season was an unexpected bonus IMHO and gave us an added cash influx to carry out the strategy to identify young talent and mould them into a team capable of playing the Kompany way. Results this season were never really expected to be good with such an inexperienced team and the fact that we didn't bring in some PL experience to help bolster in key positions, has indicated to me that Kompany has free rein to carry out this plan. Next season will be the acid test as he'll be in his 3rd season and Pace will want to see results, which means a competitive team on the pitch and cash being generated by saleable assets being sold, to keep the plan moving forwards.

[Boss Hogg]

Let’s hope VK doesn’t decide to up sticks when we are sat mid table in the Championship next season, following our record low points total in the Premier League. The ‘project’ might not be looking so good then.

[BurnleyFC]

I have no problem with developing talent as long as it doesn’t affect league position.

Brighton have the perfect blend. They have some top experienced pros and introduce 3-4 young lads to help them develop.

Brighton are also Burnley on steroids.

They have a miles bigger budget than us.

[Jakubclaret]

Brighton are also Burnley on steroids.

They have a miles bigger budget than us.

You could argue they make their own budget with the positive trading they do.

[BurnleyFC]

You could argue they make their own budget with the positive trading they do.

You could, but you’d be wrong. They get their money from their billionaire owner.

They’re actually about where they should be in the league, with the backing they have.

[Jakubclaret]

You could, but you’d be wrong.

They get their money from their billionaire owner.

To set the ball rolling initially but it's well known they generate money by buying low & selling high & are very successful at it.

[Kilson810]

I think everybody including VK after last season fancied Roberts to be more than good enough at right back. Al Dakhil to be able to fill in comfortably. Cullen to be good enough.

The truth is our better players from last year have been the worst ones this season, the only way for anybody to figure that out was to give them an opportunity, sink or swim.

We’ve also been decimated with injuries throughout the squad, Beyer again today gone off. Ekdal injured all season. Foster missed months.

The defence we finished the game with today isn’t good enough, the problem is those are playing because the likes of Roberts haven’t been good enough. Ekdal and Beyer injured.

It’s easy to be hindsight Henry though

Quite right on the hindsight point, I am just stating the fact that the defence is poor. Some people seem to think otherwise which is up to them.

[burnleymik]

100% behind the Kompany project. Got to take the rough with the smooth. I think he is going to build something special here, but we have to stick with him and not knee-jerk when the times are hard.

[Neil]

If somebody can identify a manager who can organise Vitinho, O’Shea, Delcroix and Taylor into a solid Premier League defence I’ll give them a million pounds.

It’s too harsh to say you can’t polish a turd, I don’t mind any of them, but at the start of the season Kompany had that as his reserve back four, at best.

We lost our best defender and best midfielder during the game today, that’s the context.

I'm probably more pro Kompany than not but 75% of that turd came from his backside.

It's been widely commented on, and not in hindsight, that we needed two new fullbacks.

He seems not to favour Ekdal, did not strongly pursue THB and like the rest of us, saw enough from Al Dakhil to realise he's nowhere near ready.,

O'Shea has improved notably over the last month and Delcroix was obviously signed as cover but Kompany knew exactly what he was buying.

[HahaYeah]

I think and hope the board will keep him even if we get relegated.

He's a victim of his own success in that he got us promoted when we aren't ready for the Prem.

Even if we do get relegated I think we will annhilate the Champ next season.