Winning without playing that well

[Stonehouse]

We might have played crap but how many saves did JT have T make?

[agreenwood]

We were crying out for Worrall or Esteve to carry the ball into midfield today and start unsettling their lines. There were loads of opportunities to do it, but we didn’t take them.

I don’t know if it’s a tactical decision or lack of confidence, but it has to be a better option occasionally than yet another sideways pass.

[ksrclaret]

It is becoming quite frustrating that we still don't have any identifiable patterns of play. They were doubling up so easily on our wingers and we didn't really have any rotation or movement that even attempted to get them 1 vs 1. Hannibal did occasionally pull out to the wide right channel, but Koleosho didn't seem to read the situation very well.

Still very early days though.

[RalphCoatesComb]

We were crying out for Worrall or Esteve to carry the ball into midfield today and start unsettling their lines. There were loads of opportunities to do it, but we didn’t take them.

I don’t know if it’s a tactical decision or lack of confidence, but it has to be a better option occasionally than yet another sideways pass.

As was said by the guy behind me today, it's as if we were frightened to lose the ball. I kept thinking how would Dobbo, Kindon, Coates and Fletcher have dealt with this?

Attack, Attack... Attack Attack Attack !

[agreenwood]

As was said by the guy behind me today, it's as if we were frightened to lose the ball. I kept thinking how would Dobbo, Kindon, Coates and Fletcher have dealt with this?

Attack, Attack... Attack Attack Attack !

I’d have settled for just one Beyer-like surge forward.

[criminalclaret]

I don't think anyone is having a pop at Parker or a very fresh new team.

There's an amazing depth of players in this squad that need to play more games and gel together.

If we could play with 50% of the tenancity and creativity of the Luton game on a consistent basis by Christmas we'll be laughing it.

[ElectroClaret]

We were crying out for Worrall or Esteve to carry the ball into midfield today and start unsettling their lines.

Beyer was the master of this.

[123EasyasBFC]

There is no patterns of play at the moment and I’m not sure if we going to have a clear idea of what the patterns of play are because Parker seems happy change it each game. Under kompany you could see in the first 6/7 games what we are trying and that it would come good.

I’m not saying that’s the right way to be or not.

I have found the first 6 games under Parker interested and more Burnley like performances. The first half today wasn’t that we played bad it was that Portsmouth played well. I don’t get whether you have better players than the opposition or not, every game regardless of who you are playing, you are relying on them to have a bad day and today Portsmouth didn’t, they played well

[Colburn_Claret]

For me it's the pace of our game. We move the ball so slowly, and play so many passes, that teams have loads of time to organise defensively. By the time we put the ball in the box there are 14 players in there.
By contrast Pompey got the ball forward quick and caused all sorts of problems.

We clearly need to mix it up more which will take time, but we need to set off a lot faster as well, especially those first 10mins.

[martin_p]

I’ll take any kind of win against Portsmouth, they’re a bit of a bogey team at the Turf. Today was our first home win against them since 1982.

[Woodleyclaret]

A great win against a team of Alehouse brawlers intend on using every spoiling tactic in the book.These are valuable wins needed to win titles

[Silkyskills1]

I’ll take any kind of win against Portsmouth, they’re a bit of a bogey team at the Turf. Today was our first home win against them since 1982.

Yep, at 0-1 down I said to my grandson that they are a bit of a bogey side to us. It didn't really register with him to be honest but I was amazed at CT's pre match report telling us that it was as far back as 1982 when we last beat them here.

[Guller Bull]

A great win against a team of Alehouse brawlers intend on using every spoiling tactic in the book.These are valuable wins needed to win titles

Good on em - that’s how we were seen in the aprèm under SD. Not always a fair accusation but we quite liked it when it was grinding out results against the big guns.

[Mattster]

Good on em - that’s how we were seen in the aprèm under SD. Not always a fair accusation but we quite liked it when it was grinding out results against the big guns.

Forget under SD, that's how we played last week.

Only difference is we had Trafford and they had Norris.

[mdd2]

The patterns of play is still the big one for me. What are we actually looking to achieve when we have the ball, I've not seen any really plan as of yet.

Looks very like 2 years ago at this time. Today Samiento was the Benson. I think the only difference is in the keeper and CH. Muric could ping a 50 /60 years pass for Tella to run onto and Trafford doesnt have that (yet) in his locker.THB similarly could launch balls many yards to feet which Worrall and Esteve dont seem to have. The next 6-10 games will see how we develop as the squad gets to know each other. At this stage 2 years ago we were very much slow slow quick quick slow.

[mdd2]

Yep, at 0-1 down I said to my grandson that they are a bit of a bogey side to us. It didn't really register with him to be honest but I was amazed at CT's pre match report telling us that it was as far back as 1982 when we last beat them here.

Yesterday was our 9th game since we last won against them at the Turf, 3 draws 5 defeats. Only won twice away in 7 too

[morninbob]

What's most frustrating is when we do break them down and then turn round and go back to worrall, what's the point ?

[Hibsclaret]

I think when you consider how new the team is and Portsmouth’s away record in 2024 it will turn out to be a valuable 3 points this season. In terms of playing well we have a better points return than 22/23 and have much to improve upon.

Teams that continually play poorly and win are either good teams who know how to win or will get found out. Let’s hope it’s the former but we have game changers throughout the team and bench to help us that’s for sure.

[Swizzlestick]

A great win against a team of Alehouse brawlers intend on using every spoiling tactic in the book.These are valuable wins needed to win titles

are you on commission to use the term ‘alehouse brawlers’?

[RVclaret]

Thought Portsmouth played very well. They’ve already drawn at Leeds and Middlesbrough, interestingly 2 other teams that play in a ‘similar’ way to what we were trying. They also played the ref and he fell hook line and sinker.

As for us, we’re still a clear work in progress, I’m just glad to see the fight, character and commitment at this stage - that win was no more ‘uglier’ than the one v Reading in the last promotion season, for example. Time for Parker to pick the right team for this type of game though, more attacking threat with Flemming & Foster, and more technical, tight space wingers like Sarmiento/Tresor.

[MACCA]

I very much felt the same.

I was stood thinking what is the actual plan, I know it's very very early bit you can count on 1 hand how man chances we have actually created in the last 4 or 5 games.

I can't recall testing any keeper in a game never mind several times in the same game.


However it can only be a good thing we've got 7 points from 3 games since the window closed and we are transitioning

I Will support the guy to the hilt as he's a fresh of fresh air, but I've a feeling the football on show isn't going to particularly great viewing

considering we are favourites to go up and have the biggest budget , it might be Southgate esc as in we achieve inspite of, not because of

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Bournemouth fan at work said it wouldn’t be pretty

I’ve told him I don’t care so long as we’re winning and go up

[taio]

Early days. Impressive results so far. The team and manager obviously need time to settle.

[alwaysaclaret]

The patterns of play is still the big one for me. What are we actually looking to achieve when we have the ball, I've not seen any really plan as of yet.

I was saying exactly the same during the game, for the life in me I just couldn't see what we were trying to do, only thing I could work out was trying to perfect playing across the back 4. If Parker wants to use Worrall as the anchor to get forward then he needs to speed up a heck of a lot, perhaps Cullen feels a little bit in no man's land because of the set up under vk, so we may be losing a bit of fluidity by dropping the play back to Worrall, but he's far too slow in mind and body imo.
There were several occasions where, hannibal, Foster and Koleosho were all coming deep to collect the ball yesterday, we just can't be doing that because obviously it's nullifying our threat going forward, we desperately need to work on the link from defence to midfield, but leave the forward player's where their most threatening, of course as a team we all have to perform defensive duties without the ball, but also the plan has to be to have the biggest share of possession at home at least anyway.
The biggest thing in our armoury in vk championship winning season was our ability to get the ball wide and get round the back of teams, I'm not sure we have that so far, yes Koleosho, but he's on the wrong side imo, but that's because we have no out and out right winger, but neither Anthony nor sarmiento look confident in beating their man down the left.

[NL Claret]

Only flicked through the posts, get the feeling success needs to be instant and comparisons to 22/23.

The championship is a difficult league and teams won’t make it easy for Burnley, that’s probably the only comparison that can be made. It is a different manager and squad of players. The start under VK in the championship wasn’t the greatest, it took till November to kick into gear.

[houseboy]

First visit on here for a while. Thought that with a team in transition, after yet another win, third in the league and four points more than at this stage under VK in the Championship when we romped it it would be a fairly happy place. Seems not. Does this site attract the worst kind of Claret? We haven’t even got the same squad as we had against Luton and Cardiff. We’ve lost one game away 1-0 to an expected promotion candidate. We are winning whilst still finding our feet.
Things are just peachy if you can just take a glass half full view. Most fans in this league would be delighted if they had our squad and manager. You just need to stop looking for ways of making wins look like defeats.

[Goliath]

First visit on here for a while. Thought that with a team in transition, after yet another win, third in the league and four points more than at this stage under VK in the Championship when we romped it it would be a fairly happy place. Seems not. Does this site attract the worst kind of Claret? We haven’t even got the same squad as we had against Luton and Cardiff. We’ve lost one game away 1-0 to an expected promotion candidate. We are winning whilst still finding our feet.
Things are just peachy if you can just take a glass half full view. Most fans in this league would be delighted if they had our squad and manager. You just need to stop looking for ways of making wins look like defeats.

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

[Hipper]

Pompey only lost 2 away games out of their last 31 apparently ...

This is a good point.

Their other two away games this season were draws, 3-3 at Leeds and 2-2 at Middlesbrough. Clearly they know what they are doing away from home.


I've only seen them on TV against WBA at home when they lost 3-0. However they attacked quite well until the final third and didn't look dreadful.

[NL Claret]

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

Realists or entitled?

[taio]

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

We also have fans who recognise that extent of change over the summer, meaning that our start has been very good with opportunity for improvement.

[houseboy]

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

So if we had lost every game would you see past individual results? And logically if we continue playing like this we would most assuredly finish in the top two. Our current points per game would give us 99/100 points. We have a new squad of players. We are BETTER off than at this stage last time out in this league. People are not seeing the potential and are just looking for things to moan about. As usual.

[Ric_C]

Looks very like 2 years ago at this time. Today Samiento was the Benson. I think the only difference is in the keeper and CH. Muric could ping a 50 /60 years pass for Tella to run onto and Trafford doesnt have that (yet) in his locker.THB similarly could launch balls many yards to feet which Worrall and Esteve dont seem to have. The next 6-10 games will see how we develop as the squad gets to know each other. At this stage 2 years ago we were very much slow slow quick quick slow.

Hits the nail on the head this.

This period feels like a few years ago when we were having the odd draw, and winning with the odd injury time goal. When it all clicked into place we had the balance of Beyer and Ekdal at the back (who I thought were an outstanding pair at this level) plus Muric, who could all break the play up with forward runs or pinging longer balls to stretch the defence.

How many times yesterday did we move the ball across the defence, therefore opening up space to ping a quick ball out to the other side? This option was on countless times, but Esteve and Worrall were much too cautious in the first half and afraid to make a mistake. I'll admit we did improve on this in the second half.

I'll say it before and I'll say it again. We still miss Tella. If you play a 4-2-3-1 formation which can transition to a 4-3-3 at least one of the wide players needs to have a serious goal threat. Koleosho is still learning and Anthony had a poor game yesterday. 2 Seasons ago we had goals from wide areas in abundance, and our number 9 was mainly the link man. Now we rely too much on Foster, and if he's off it we can look pretty toothless. Flemming should address this, but as it stands, it feels like we are an option light up front. Sarmiento was a big plus yesterday, and hopefully we can get Redmond and Tresor available soon to add more threat, but I feel we are lacking a SS/wing forward in our arsenal.

[NL Claret]

So if we had lost every game would you see past individual results? And logically if we continue playing like this we would most assuredly finish in the top two. Our current points per game would give us 99/100 points. We have a new squad of players. We are BETTER off than at this stage last time out in this league. People are not seeing the potential and are just looking for things to moan about. As usual.

I reckon for some on here , 100 points in the championship is now the benchmark , those posters who like to reminisce and make comparisons with TBH, Tella, Muric, Maatsen, Zaroury and Benson, how it was “criminal” that some of these players were not signed permanently.

[Goliath]

We also have fans who recognise that extent of change over the summer, meaning that our start has been very good with opportunity for improvement.

Who said it hasn't been a good start points wise? That's not the issue. It's the performances which need to improve and hopefully they will.

[houseboy]

Who said it hasn't been a good start points wise? That's not the issue. It's the performances which need to improve and hopefully they will.

We had years of relative success under Dyche whilst playing some dire football. Were you as negative then? We spent years grinding out results but few were complaining.

[taio]

Who said it hasn't been a good start points wise? That's not the issue. It's the performances which need to improve and hopefully they will.

I never mentioned anything about points. You referred to being realistic - for me, realistic is recognising the scale of disruption over the summer and the need to allow time for Parker and the team to find their feet and get into a rhythm.

[Goliath]

Realists or entitled?

Realists. We need to finish top 2 financially. We get 1 or 2 shots at it basically where the odds are stacked in our favour.

The longer we don't go up the harder it gets and we have managed to go into a season with a squad that isn't really at the level it should have been.
For example, having to play Egan Riley at right back so early in the season is a bit of a shambles. He's nowhere near the level we should be looking at and when teams play a deep block, full backs have a really important role in our attacking play. Yesterday we had nothing down that side at all

[Mattster]

I reckon for some on here , 100 points in the championship is now the benchmark , those posters who like to reminisce and make comparisons with TBH, Tella, Muric, Maatsen, Zaroury and Benson, how it was “criminal” that some of these players were not signed permanently.

The irony of this when it's the people who refuse to acknowledge how clueless we are when it comes to creating chances that make comparisons to that season more than anyone else.

I'm simply looking at how clueless we are in possession now, there's no need to draw any comparison, it's evident in of itself. How individual players are dragging us over the line despite this by scoring/saving chances you wouldn't expect them to and how that's not sustainable to expect to continue.

No one genuinely thinks we played well yesterday, but many are happy to let the result paper of the cracks and hide the absolute lack of improvement in our attacking play. This despite coming up against a relegation candidate who's entire squad cost less than we spent on Josh Laurent.

I want us to win, I want Parker to be a success here. I just want the squad we have, which is top 2 at the very least, to be playing like it.

[IanMcL]

As was said by the guy behind me today, it's as if we were frightened to lose the ball. I kept thinking how would Dobbo, Kindon, Coates and Fletcher have dealt with this?

Attack, Attack... Attack Attack Attack !

That's it. Frightened to lose the ball is stopping any risk, runs on the off chance, for the one pass in a few which gets through, getting in the box with intention to score etc. We just pass at the back and hope. The most boring football for years.

[IanMcL]

https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/fo ... th-4791945

Express thoughts

[daveisaclaret]

The irony of this when it's the people who refuse to acknowledge how clueless we are when it comes to creating chances that make comparisons to that season more than anyone else.

I'm simply looking at how clueless we are in possession now, there's no need to draw any comparison, it's evident in of itself. How individual players are dragging us over the line despite this by scoring/saving chances you wouldn't expect them to and how that's not sustainable to expect to continue.

No one genuinely thinks we played well yesterday, but many are happy to let the result paper of the cracks and hide the absolute lack of improvement in our attacking play. This despite coming up against a relegation candidate who's entire squad cost less than we spent on Josh Laurent.

I want us to win, I want Parker to be a success here. I just want the squad we have, which is top 2 at the very least, to be playing like it.

I think it probably is sustainable given the quality of the squad. It makes next season in the Premier League impossible to be any good though.

[NL Claret]

The irony of this when it's the people who refuse to acknowledge how clueless we are when it comes to creating chances that make comparisons to that season more than anyone else.

I'm simply looking at how clueless we are in possession now, there's no need to draw any comparison, it's evident in of itself. How individual players are dragging us over the line despite this by scoring/saving chances you wouldn't expect them to and how that's not sustainable to expect to continue.

No one genuinely thinks we played well yesterday, but many are happy to let the result paper of the cracks and hide the absolute lack of improvement in our attacking play. This despite coming up against a relegation candidate who's entire squad cost less than we spent on Josh Laurent.

I want us to win, I want Parker to be a success here. I just want the squad we have, which is top 2 at the very least, to be playing like it.

Refuse to acknowledge how clueless we are?

I couldn't watch the game yesterday so cannot and have not commented on the performance. Thank you.

I would definitely say there's a hint of entitlement when you mention relegation candidate and size of budget.

[Swizzlestick]

I have reservations about Parker but there’s some real hyper criticism above. We huffed and puffed against Pompey but then so did Leeds and Boro, neither of whom could beat them at home. Egan Riley is probably our third choice RB behind Roberts and Humphreys, it’s just unfortunate injury and suspension struck at the same time. Think some folk have set a stall out before a ball has been kicked and aren’t willing to budge from it.

[evensteadiereddie]

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

Except that our current points from games ratio would give us 101 points.
I'd be disappointed if that didn't give us a top two finish.

[daveisaclaret]

I have reservations about Parker but there’s some real hyper criticism above. We huffed and puffed against Pompey but then so did Leeds and Boro, neither of whom could beat them at home. Egan Riley is probably our third choice RB behind Roberts and Humphreys, it’s just unfortunate injury and suspension struck at the same time. Think some folk have set a stall out before a ball has been kicked and aren’t willing to budge from it.

Leeds made millions of chances against them.

[Folkestoneclaret]

Am I on my own in rating Brownhill's goal top-drawer? The Sky commentary said it trickled in as though it was mis-hit. To me he placed it deliberately and brilliantly.

[Hibsclaret]

Leeds made millions of chances against them.

And didn’t beat them

[Goliath]

Except that our current points from games ratio would give us 101 points.
I'd be disappointed if that didn't give us a top two finish.

Can't tell if you are intentionally missing the point but il entertain you anyway. Clearly we won't continue at this rate with the way we are playing currently.
It's too early to look at points totals but hopefully we can stay in and around it whilst we establish a style of play and possibly get some improvements in January

[Anonymous Claret]

No we just have fans that are realists and can see past individual results. If we continue like this we won't finish top 2 and that's got to be the aim.

If you had read this board up until the Sheff Utd game in the Kompany promotion season, you would probably have said the same thing. Draws against Blackpool, Hull, Preston, Stoke, Cardiff and Birmingham when we were leading until late in the game caused much doubt with some fans.

[Goliath]

If you had read this board up until the Sheff Utd game in the Kompany promotion season, you would probably have said the same thing. Draws against Blackpool, Hull, Preston, Stoke, Cardiff and Birmingham when we were leading until late in the game caused much doubt with some fans.

I agree but in hindsight we could see the patterns of play established from day one. As we could under Dyche with the Paterson goal against Wolves if I remember rightly.

At the moment I genuinely don't have a clue what we are trying to be. I understand the idea of variety being an big strength but surely there should be some principles set in stone for each game. Otherwise we will just resort to lumping it and giving the ball away in games where we come under pressure. As we did against Leeds.