Burnley v Blackburn - Player Ratings

[AGENT_CLARET]

Trafford 6 slightly out of position for the goal
Roberts 6
Worrall 7
Esteve 8 A rock
Laurent 7
Brownhill 7
Koleosho 6 runs around a lot, nothing else
Hannibal 7
Anthony 8 MOM
Foster 7 Was 6 but 1 extra for goal

Sarmiento 6
Egan-Riley 3 crap
Benson 3 made of cheese
JRod 4 needs feeding he can't do it on his own now

[HahaYeah]

I think its u fair people giving Laurent low scores like 5/6.
Hes only at club couple days. Maybe 1 training session.
Debut against Blackburn. Come on give the guy a break. He had a very good debut.

Had a look through and most gave pretty evenly 6s/7s and 8s. Only one lone ranger gave him a 4.

Another poster gave him MOM, that's how it goes.

[IanMcL]

Trafford 5
Roberts 6
Worrall 6
Esteve 7
Pires 6
Laurent 7
Brownhill 7
Koleosho 6
Hannibal 6
Anthony 6
Foster 6

Good performance, considering the upheaval. They got stuck in. Credit to them.

Laurent looked calm and in control.

[CJA]

Trafford 6 Could do now't with the goal but his distribution was woeful
Pires 6 Still not sure but he was improved from his last performance
Esteve 8 Thought he was top class
Worral 7 won all his duel in the air looks slow on distribution but like a lot in the team today was linking with players he had not even trained with
Roberts 7 I am not one of the give him 5 no matter what brigade. He is more limited in his abilities but thought he did well in a different role than Kompany asked him to play.
Brownhill 7 How anyone can give him 4 is beyond my comprehension, he deserves 7 just for the flick that set Anthony away. He was excellent first half , faded second half and just needs Parker to delegate free kicks to someone else
Laurent 8 Considering he barely knew his team mates and had not trained with them I think he was excellent
Hannibal 6 Trying too hard I think needed to keep a calmer head , however like the rest he needs time to bed in.
Anthony 8 A winger with two feet, can cross right and left foot terrific performance. Maybe better on the right to give Koleosho a run on the left.
Koleosho 7 Final product was at times missing but he took plyers out of the game as they doubled up on him and released others into space. Needs to be on the right if he is to impact the game fully
Foster 7 Scored, hit the post and tracked back when needed. Needs to role on the floor a bit less and hold the ball up and play the simple pass.

Egan Riley 4 Nightmare few minutes, shows how thin we are currently at centre back
Benson 4 Was he really injured or just embarrassed
Jay Rod 5 Not really given much chance to affect anything.
Sarmiento 5 Not really the time on the pitch to do much

Parker 9 To get a team together that played as well as they did with preparation time he had deserves a lot of praise.
Refereeing 4 Booked players for nothing yet let serious fouls go without comment.

[JohnMac]

Trafford 6
Roberts 6
Worrall 7
Esteve 7
Pires 6
Laurent 7
Brownhill 7**
Koleosho 6
Hannibal 7
Anthony 7
Foster 7

Sarmiento 6

We have the making of a very good side, over to you Scott!

[MyRightFoot]

Trafford - 6 didn't have much to do, made some ok passes, and some questionable ones at times
Roberts - 6 quieter than usual
Worrall - 7 dominant in the air, not as good with ball to feet
Esteve - 7 (a lucky 7) i dont get the hype about him like everyone else, don't personally think he's as good as most are making out (YET) huge potential though.
Pires - 7 worked well down the left, still quite Raw
Koleosho - 7 player well, struggled with end product, their left back was their best player
Brownhill - **8** for sheer effort and organisation
Laurent - 7 solid 1st game, had my doubts.
Hannibal - 7, think he is going to be a big player for us this year, good work rate and passing. But like all forwards struggled to create anything
Anthony -7 Looked our biggest threat down the left, will get better over the season..
Foster - 7 purely for the goal, otherwise would have been a 6

Tough to play against 10 men, local Derby, new players (within 24 hours), think we will get much stronger as season continues.. Much more optimistic about the season than I was a week ago. Top 2 might be a bit too much to ask, definitely top 6, maybe top 4

[pushpinpussy]

I know you'd argue with your reflection in a mirror but surely you don't disagree that he's not good enough at CB for us?

He is 21 years old. I will wait to judge him (unlike you) until he has has a fair run of games. I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Try not to jump on the bandwagon and criticise our young lads. Give them a chance please.

[Culmclaret]

Trafford 6.
Roberts 6
Worrall 6
Esteve 7
Pires 7
Koleosho 7
Brownhill 7
Laurent 6
Hannibal 6
Anthony 7
Foster 6

Lots of good signs in a game where we dominated possession without creating very much after they equalised. Throw Cullen and Flemming into the mix and we have a decent side. As Parker said in his interview we must learn ways of breaking teams down who pack the middle of the park and the box. We got into good crossing positions many times but either the final ball failed to clear the first line of defence or it was Foster v 5 Rovers defenders when the ball came in. Rovers are a decent honest to goodness Championship side which is well drilled. Ohashi was a real handful when he came on but even with 11 men their only threat was on the break

[nil_desperandum]

He is 21 years old. I will wait to judge him (unlike you) until he has has a fair run of games. I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Try not to jump on the bandwagon and criticise our young lads. Give them a chance please.

If CJ gets a run of games then it means we will be really struggling
How on earth he got on for Esteve ahead of Humphreys only Parker knows - especially as Humphreys did pretty well on Wednesday night

[JR1882]

Trafford 5 - out of position for the goal & didn’t have much else to do.
Roberts 6
Worrall 7
Esteve 9 - class apart at this level.
Laurent 8 - normally a 7 but to debut in centre mid in this game isn’t easy. Looks very dependable & does the basics well.
Brownhill 6
Koleosho 6 - needs to add end product
Hannibal 7 - energetic
Anthony 8 - gonna be a super signing, great attitude too.
Foster 6 - good header for his goal but did little else, needed to be a focal point not dropping back all the time.

Sarmiento can’t really say
Egan-Riley 4 - had an absolute mare, Beyer & Ekdal are needed asap.
Benson 3 - looked like the first day of his pre season, miles off it.
JRod 5 - offered very little, should have just stuck him up top and but balls on his head really.

Shoutout to Anthony & Laurent on debuting in a derby game too.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Trafford 6
Roberts 6
Worrall 7
Esteve 6
Pires 6
Laurent 7
Brownhill 7
Koleosho 7**
Hannibal 6
Anthony 7
Foster 7

Sarmiento 6

[jdrobbo]

Trafford 6
Roberts 6
Worrall 6
Esteve 7
Pires 6
Laurent 7**
Brownhill 6
Koleosho 7
Hannibal 7
Anthony 7
Foster 7

[Robbie_painter]

If CJ gets a run of games then it means we will be really struggling
How on earth he got on for Esteve ahead of Humphreys only Parker knows - especially as Humphreys did pretty well on Wednesday night

You’ve literally seen humphries in a friendly against wolves.Shouldve applied for the job when it was up for grabs if you think you can do a better job than Parker.

[The Shire Claret]

Trafford 7
Roberts 7
Worrall 7
Esteve 7
Pires 7
Laurent 8
Brownhill 7
Koleosho 7
Hannibal 7
Anthony 7
Foster 7

First time together after the transfer madness

[nil_desperandum]

You’ve literally seen humphries in a friendly against wolves.Shouldve applied for the job when it was up for grabs if you think you can do a better job than Parker.

Humphreys played well in the Cup game on Wednesday. He played 26 games in the Championship for Swansea last season.
It is reported hat if we take up the option to buy him it will be for a significant sum.
If you think that CJ was a better option yesterday then fair enough. (Just look at the player ratings on this thread).
I don't understand your comment re: Parker. I was surprised by this decision yesterday, but I think he's doing a fantastic job.

[Commy]

You’ve literally seen humphries in a friendly against wolves.Shouldve applied for the job when it was up for grabs if you think you can do a better job than Parker.

I think most people were wondering why he didn't bring on a left footed centre half when he had one available.

[Culmclaret]

Ohashi was excellent when he came on. He was a right handful and it was worrying whenever he got within ten yards of CJ

[ClaretTony]

Humphreys played well in the Cup game on Wednesday. He played 26 games in the Championship for Swansea last season.
It is reported hat if we take up the option to buy him it will be for a significant sum.
If you think that CJ was a better option yesterday then fair enough. (Just look at the player ratings on this thread).
I don't understand your comment re: Parker. I was surprised by this decision yesterday, but I think he's doing a fantastic job.

I know Humphreys played at left-back at Wolves but he was impressive. Have to admit, I was surprised that he wasn't starting and even more so when he didn't come on ahead of CJ.

[Swizzlestick]

Ohashi was excellent when he came on. He was a right handful and it was worrying whenever he got within ten yards of CJ

He did well, and he deliberately targeted CJ who looked very overawed.

[Big Vinny K]

When CJ tried to control the ball on his thigh and got robbed after having so much time initially it was alarming to say the least. It could have been nerves as it was a big game to come into - possibly the biggest of his life.

I was surprised too not see Humphreys come on when Esteve went off but SP and his team are the ones who see them both in training every day and he will also know about their fitness levels and how they recovered after Wolves. There will be a reason why he brought CJ on - and given we will probably never find out that reason we can 100% guarantee that SP made the decision because he thought it was the best option for us at that point in the game (and not because he expected CJ to be nervy and make mistakes !!)

[bumba]

I know Humphreys played at left-back at Wolves but he was impressive. Have to admit, I was surprised that he wasn't starting and even more so when he didn't come on ahead of CJ.

He played left back, right back and centre back at Wolves and looked equally impressive in all three.
There was definitely a case for him to start over Pires I felt, was a big surprise not to see him play instead of CJ unless he was a bit fatigued from 90 mins weds

[ClaretTony]

He played left back, right back and centre back at Wolves and looked equally impressive in all three.
There was definitely a case for him to start over Pires I felt, was a big surprise not to see him play instead of CJ unless he was a bit fatigued from 90 mins weds

He did play all over the place but he started at left-back and I thought looked really impressive.

[Ric_C]

CJ had an absolute stinker when he came on, nearly cost us the game. I thought Humphreys would have been the better replacement for Esteve

[Colburn_Claret]

Not seen it mentioned anywhere, although I might have missed it.
Brownhill ripping into a few players for biting at Rovers tactics. It was obvious they were trying to get someone sent off. Koleosho and Foster were particularly wound up.
Good captaincy though, and a sign of a true leader.

[bumba]

He did play all over the place but he started at left-back and I thought looked really impressive.

I agree he looks a real prospect

[Vino blanco]

From tv and having just watched the whole game again in the calm atmosphere of my den.
Trafford 6 made one good save but his distribution was very poor especially in the first half. Surprised they didn’t put him under more pressure with crosses.
Roberts 6 decent game but didn’t do anything going forward.
Worrall 6 their man Gueye beat him in every aerial challenge in the first half. He is not the quickest either.
Esteve 8 held the defence together, always in the right place.
Pires 7 very good going forward, not a lot to do in defence. I think Humphreys could place the Maatsen role at left back.
Koleosho 6 a great young talent, better on the left, but he really, really needs to improve his final ball.
Brownhill 7 very good first half, played a captain’s role.
Laurent 7 his height and strength helps in midfield, though it’s a shame he doesn’t have more pace.
Anthony 7 some good runs, he carries the ball well.
Hannibal 7 all action player, needs to control his distribution better.
Foster 7 having watched the replay, he put in one hell of a shift, scored a goal, hit the post, and headed another inches wide. Good per.

I thought it was a fair result, they defended well, we played well in the first half then ran out of attacking ideas. We will need more power up front to support Foster if we are going to score more goals (a Tella type player). For me Cullen needs to play and hopefully the lad from Millwall will make a difference. I’m glad we now have the international break to give Parker time to work on the team balance and tactics. Onwards and upwards.

[claretspice]

I didn't watch the game live, so won't rate, but a few observatoins on players:

- Pires: I think he performed better than the ratings on here suggest. He used the ball very well and was noticeably calmer in possession than many on either side. The pass that set Brownhill away in the channel for the goal was absolutely perfectly measured and he barely gave the ball away.

- Worrall: thought he clearly organised the back four to good effect but I'm hoping as he plays more games he'll look a touch less cumbersome on the turn, especially if we're going to play so high a line.

Laurent - thought he did the basics well (and he's another whose contribution to our goal might go a bit unnoticed - he twice recycled possession under pressure earlier in the move, which enabled us to free Pires in space to measure the pass into Brownhill) but his forward passing was at times a touch less tidy and we missed Cullen's ability to break the lines with his forward passing.

Foster - I find the marks on here for him really surprising. I thought his performance before the sending off was absolutely top notch and he took his goal very well indeed, linked the game well, and ran the channels effectively. Once Blackburn retreated it was always going to be harder for Foster to find space further up the field and he wasn't helped by the fact we didn't work the sort of opportunities to slide him in down the side of the defenders that he'd want. He didn't stop working and trying to make things happen though.

Koleosho/Anthony - I thought both did OK (with Anthony finding the one moment of stand out quality), but I'd have liked Koleosho play from the left for a spell. Against 10 men in particular, having two right footers on the right, and two left footers on the left, made us a bit predictable and we missed someone coming off the line to commit defenders and look to slip a runner (like Foster) in down the channel.

Ultimately, it was just the final pass and detail that was missing. We missed Cullen's prompting from deep and none of the recruits will replicate that, and we lacked a bit of variety in wide areas. But Blackburn defended well and the lack of continuity in the team was obvious at times. Not too much to worry about here and the cohesion will come with training ground time over the next fortnight.

[claretspice]

I know Humphreys played at left-back at Wolves but he was impressive. Have to admit, I was surprised that he wasn't starting and even more so when he didn't come on ahead of CJ.

Suspect Pires got the nod ahead of Humphreys because of the quality of his passing, which was evident again in our goal against Blackburn. The weight of pass to Brownhill is perfect and key to what happens next. Generally, his passing was very good indeed.

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

Trafford 6
Roberts 6
Worrall 6
Esteve 7
Pires 6
Laurent 7
Brownhill 8*
Koleosho 6
Hannibal 7
Anthony 7
Foster 7

[Luppy]

I'm confused by some of the comments re Trafford being out of position for the goal - where do you want him to stand?

3 keepers wouldn't have kept that out - it was one of those worldies you can't do anything about, similar to Thompson's v Reading in the play offs. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say "great goal"

[ClaretTony]

I'm confused by some of the comments re Trafford being out of position for the goal - where do you want him to stand?

3 keepers wouldn't have kept that out - it was one of those worldies you can't do anything about, similar to Thompson's v Reading in the play offs. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say "great goal"

I suspect the comments are because it's Trafford. As I saw it, he made one mistake on Saturday in the opening seconds and got away with it. Following that I can find no other reason to fault his performance and, as you said, three keepers wouldn't have kept that out.

[TheFamilyCat]

I'm confused by some of the comments re Trafford being out of position for the goal - where do you want him to stand?

3 keepers wouldn't have kept that out - it was one of those worldies you can't do anything about, similar to Thompson's v Reading in the play offs. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say "great goal"

He'd probably have saved it quite comfortably if he was on his line. The chances of any goalkeeper in the world being on their line in that situation though are a big fat zero.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I'm confused by some of the comments re Trafford being out of position for the goal - where do you want him to stand?

3 keepers wouldn't have kept that out - it was one of those worldies you can't do anything about, similar to Thompson's v Reading in the play offs. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say "great goal"

Had he have got his hand to it and tipped it over the same would have moaned at him for not catching it. He has no chance with some and never will.

Those same people would claim the strike by Thompson is a brilliant goal rather than a keeper error.

[Goliath]

Had he have got his hand to it and tipped it over the same would have moaned at him for not catching it. He has no chance with some and never will.

Those same people would claim the strike by Thompson is a brilliant goal rather than a keeper error.

I also don't remember many complaints when Tom Heaton was beaten by a similar strike by Chris Wood for Leicester. Unstoppable