Brownhill

[fatboy47]

Possibly the best midfielder in this league, should be and always will be 1st on the team sheet when available.

A view shared by the vast majority of my friends who actually attend games.

[Awayfromburnley]

I don't see these qualities that people refer too, certainly not week on week. He is certainly no leader of men.

[GetIntoEm]

Watching on TV

Turn it off if you don't enjoy it

[DCWat]

Possibly the best midfielder in this league, should be and always will be 1st on the team sheet when available.

He’s not the best midfielder at Burnley.

[taio]

I don't see these qualities that people refer too, certainly not week on week. He is certainly no leader of men.

Thankfully, our current manager does as did our last two managers.

[BigChaCha]

Brownhill probably just saw his barber in the crowd and was shouting for his money back!

[Newcastleclaret93]

Possibly the best midfielder in this league, should be and always will be 1st on the team sheet when available.

Hamer is the player people believe Brownhill is.

[GetIntoEm]

He’s not the best midfielder at Burnley.

You'd be silly to think that every other team in the league wouldn't snap your hand off to have him.

Strange who Burnley fans pick on, on here. Really not reflective of reality.

[GetIntoEm]

Hamer is the player people believe Brownhill is.

You only need a brief look at the Sheffield united forum to see that he gets as much stick as brownhill does.

[nil_desperandum]

Thought Cullen was solid today, I'm still a huge fan.

You're entitled to your view, but we need a little more than solidity in midfield at home when we are looking for goals. We need far more energy and creativity and the ball played forward more quickly.
Leaving the above aside, he was extremely fortunate to get away with a second yellow this afternoon, (With a stronger ref he would have walked).
We wouldn't have looked so solid with 10 men.

[jrgbfc]

Must admit i'd be thinking about giving Hannibal a go in the deeper role. I don't think Cullen or Brownhill are playing well enough at the moment to be considered undroppable.

[DCWat]

You'd be silly to think that every other team in the league wouldn't snap your hand off to have him.

Strange who Burnley fans pick on, on here. Really not reflective of reality.

I’m not picking on him but I think you’re over-egging it to suggest he’s the best midfielder in the division.

[Row Z]

Great energy, puts himself about and has scored some good goals for us, but has always been poor on the ball in tight spaces and at linking play.

Does the simple stuff well and his legs often mean he can get back in to prevent counter attacks or break up play.

[Alan Young]

60 odd posts and has nobody has come to close to answering the OP’s question. One person even telling everyone what he had for his tea. This forum in a nutshell.

[taio]

60 odd posts and has nobody has come to close to answering the OP’s question. One person even telling everyone what he had for his tea. This forum in a nutshell.

Do you know the answer?

[GetIntoEm]

60 odd posts and has nobody has come to close to answering the OP’s question. One person even telling everyone what he had for his tea. This forum in a nutshell.

I think it's been answered. He was obviously so frustrated that our fans can't even cook a chicken dinner to be ready at the right time.

[dvalley69]

Had more issues with the crab like performance from Cullen. Would like to see Browny and Hannibal together in that middle two. We needed some energy today. It was pedestrian.

haha, energy from Browny? He just lumbers around the field and looks knackered most of the time. Must be his style of running, but if we need energy in the middle he definitely isn't the man!

Problem with Browny is that he just isn't that good with the ball and far too slow in possession hence he's a big part of our current problems going forward. His only use is getting into the box late and grabbing goals, as he has done so far and should've done today had he burst a gut to get on the end of that cross in the 1st half. I'd replace him Laurent, who is a better passer and has the physique to drive forward with the ball through midfield.

[Loyalclaret]

haha, energy from Browny? He just lumbers around the field and looks knackered most of the time. Must be his style of running, but if we need energy in the middle he definitely isn't the man!

Problem with Browny is that he just isn't that good with the ball and far too slow in possession hence he's a big part of our current problems going forward. His only use is getting into the box late and grabbing goals, as he has done so far and should've done today had he burst a gut to get on the end of that cross in the 1st half. I'd replace him Laurent, who is a better passer and has the physique to drive forward with the ball through midfield.

Didnt he get over to their rightwinger, slide tackle the ball out of play, right at the death

[Bosscat]

Didnt he get over to their rightwinger, slide tackle the ball out of play, right at the death

He certainly did ... Some just want to promote their own agenda because they don't like a particular player

[dvalley69]

Didnt he get over to their rightwinger, slide tackle the ball out of play, right at the death

MOM moment, right there! Anything else? I'll have to check the game to see what else he did.

[ClaretMat]

Brownhill slow in posession? He's fairly uncomplicated but probably one of the quickest distributors in the team?

[Loyalclaret]

MOM moment, right there! Anything else? I'll have to check the game to see what else he did.

Not sure I mentioned MOM, you did say "haha, energy from Browny? He just lumbers around the field and looks knackered most of the time" though

[dvalley69]

He certainly did ... Some just want to promote their own agenda because they don't like a particular player

And people complain about our attacking players not doing much. But Browny makes a sliding tackle, when in the lead, and now he's Mr. Energy all of a sudden. He does one of these a game and it seems it's enough for some folk, while others try their hardest to make things, and make errors undoubtedly, and get much more flack than someone who's been here for years and is in dreadful form and is not leading this team.

[dvalley69]

Brownhill slow in posession? He's fairly uncomplicated but probably one of the quickest distributors in the team?

Exactly. Takes the easy option most of the time. Show me a defence splitting pass from him? He can't get it out of his feet, turn and hit passes quickly enough. It's why our play is so slow.

[dvalley69]

Not sure I mentioned MOM, you did say "haha, energy from Browny? He just lumbers around the field and looks knackered most of the time" though

Didn't realise energy meant a quick sprint every now & then. Dean Marney had energy. There's a difference.

[bfcmatt]

Brownhill was brilliant with the penalty, kept the ball to take all the pressure away from Jay. He is the Burnley captain and get's my support.

[alboclaret]

I don't think the crown get on his back anymore than anyone else.
He shouldn't be gesturing (if he has) back to the fans.
It's not professional, he can just ignore than fans doesn't have to celebrate with them.
Like been said above, we pay for the pleasure of going and these lads get paid far more than most of us for doing it.
It's not tit for tat he can bite back if he feel it's not a level playing field.

[ClaretMat]

Exactly. Takes the easy option most of the time. Show me a defence splitting pass from him? He can't get it out of his feet, turn and hit passes quickly enough. It's why our play is so slow.

That's not his game though. He's an energetic midfielder who breaks up play well, wins and keeps the ball, gets in good goalscoring opportunities and finishes well.
.
Agree with the comment re the pen also, that was a good bit of leadership. He made 100% sure the right person had the pen, but also did it in a way that it wasn't pressurised.

[ClaretMat]

Exactly. Takes the easy option most of the time. Show me a defence splitting pass from him? He can't get it out of his feet, turn and hit passes quickly enough. It's why our play is so slow.

That's not his game though. He's an energetic midfielder who breaks up play well, wins and keeps the ball, gets in good goalscoring opportunities and finishes well.
.
Agree with the comment re the pen also, that was a good bit of leadership. He made 100% sure the right person had the pen, but also did it in a way that it wasn't pressurised.

[Burnley1989]

He's someone I'm glad has played for us, has been a good player.
There's a reason all our managers seem to pick him when he's fit

[taio]

MOM moment, right there! Anything else? I'll have to check the game to see what else he did.

A few bits for you from today:

- defenders excepted, for obvious reasons, he touched the ball more than any other player
- he had a good pass completion rate of 84% and only the centre halves had more passes
- he had the joint highest shots on target
- he had the joint highest aerial challenges won

In addition, for wider context, a few bits for you so far this season:

- nominated for the September and October PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month
- our leading goal scorer and scored or assisted a third of our goals
- had the most shots and highest xG

[ClaretAL]

Quite amusing criticising the atmosphere from the comfort of your sofa

Agreed, however, the JHU is becoming the new Bob Lord stand. Many I know are members on here and your lucky to even get a clap along nevermind chant/sing.

[blatherwickstattoos]

He’s average. He’s not a leader. Can run about a bit.
Thats about it

[xxmunkyennuixx]

And yet he was at the heart of everything today - playing 20 yards further forward than usual in a more creative role . Nearly every attack in the first half was started with him.

Cullen is setting the tempo in his passing. It is too slow and safe. Parker was right to sub Cullen off but it should have been at half time.

[warksclaret]

Unbelieavable. Brownhill has been with us for almost 5 years, played nearly 200 games for us, cant remember the last time he was on the treatment table yet gets criticism. Tresor cost us more than double Brownhill's fee, been with us over 16 months, not been seen since last season, and stealing a wage. Is there any justice in life

[Newcastleclaret93]

Unbelieavable. Brownhill has been with us for almost 5 years, played nearly 200 games for us, cant remember the last time he was on the treatment table yet gets criticism. Tresor cost us more than double Brownhill's fee, been with us over 16 months, not been seen since last season, and stealing a wage. Is there any justice in life

To be fair I think tresor also gets a shed load of criticism.

Brownhill is just one of those players that never really got over with the fans.

When you compare him to similar Burnley players of the past (Marney, Arfield) he’s going to finish his career with knowhere near the same admiration.

[TPClaret]

Quite amusing criticising the atmosphere from the comfort of your sofa

I’m not wrong though am I

[TPClaret]

I’m not wrong though am I. And I wasn’t on my sofa, I was travelling.

[claretspice]

It's a curious thing because, for all the issues we've had recently, we've controlled the midfield area in almost every game (including all 3 this week) - and yet Cullen and Brownhill seem to be popularly perceived as two weak links.

That reality, and that perception, just can't reconciled. It suggests to me that both players are being far more effective than they are being credit for (and Brownhill is of course not only helping control the midfield - hes our top goalscorer too).

Brownhill has looked a bit below his normally exceptionally high standards recently, but that happens over a long season. I think Cullen has looked pretty goid recently and did again today until he was fortunate to avoid a second booking at the end of the first half and was one foul away from a sending off thereafter. That neutralised him completely.

But if they are finding it hard, it's because the team as a whole lacks a focal point to the attack. There's no number 9 capable of occupying centre halves and providing a target either in our build up play or for balls in. Even under Kompany, Barnes and Rodriguez offered that and, together with the threat that Zaroury and Tella etc. gave us from wide areas, it created the platform for us to convert control into cutting edge. At present Cullen and Brownhill are suffering and becoming lightening rods for the fact that platform ahead of them doesn't exist right now.

[Newcastleclaret93]

It's a curious thing because, for all the issues we've had recently, we've controlled the midfield area in almost every game (including all 3 this week) - and yet Cullen and Brownhill seem to be popularly perceived as two weak links.

That reality, and that perception, just can't reconciled. It suggests to me that both players are being far more effective than they are being credit for (and Brownhill is of course not only helping control the midfield - hes our top goalscorer too).

Brownhill has looked a bit below his normally exceptionally high standards recently, but that happens over a long season. I think Cullen has looked pretty goid recently and did again today until he was fortunate to avoid a second booking at the end of the first half and was one foul away from a sending off thereafter. That neutralised him completely.

But if they are finding it hard, it's because the team as a whole lacks a focal point to the attack. There's no number 9 capable of occupying centre halves and providing a target either in our build up play or for balls in. Even under Kompany, Barnes and Rodriguez offered that and, together with the threat that Zaroury and Tella etc. gave us from wide areas, it created the platform for us to convert control into cutting edge. At present Cullen and Brownhill are suffering and becoming lightening rods for the fact that platform ahead of them doesn't exist right now.

I would potentially believe this if I saw Brownhill or Cullen produce midfield splitting passes.

Passing side to side does mean they are bossing midfields.

I wouldn’t say they have won the midfield battle in the last three at all

[Bordeauxclaret]

Anyone found out how he had a pop at the fans yet?

[claretspice]

I would potentially believe this if I saw Brownhill or Cullen produce midfield splitting passes.

Passing side to side does mean they are bossing midfields.

I wouldn’t say they have won the midfield battle in the last three at all

Neither of them played midfield splitting passes 2 years ago either. It's not their role and never has been and it's the wrong metric of thir effectiveness. And in any event, you can only play a midfield splitting pass if the pass is on. And currently, invariably, it ain't.

[dvalley69]

A few bits for you from today:

- defenders excepted, for obvious reasons, he touched the ball more than any other player - "ticks the ball over & plays SP's game, but passes that have no effect on the game."
- he had a good pass completion rate of 84% and only the centre halves had more passes - "I'd expect better for a midfielder of his type tbh as he makes simple, easy passes"
- he had the joint highest shots on target - "fair enough, don't remember him having a chance"
- he had the joint highest aerial challenges won - "who cares as a midfielder?"

In addition, for wider context, a few bits for you so far this season:

- nominated for the September and October PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month - "Score a goal and anyone can get POTM nominations - meaningless"
- our leading goal scorer and scored or assisted a third of our goals - "it's his strong point"
- had the most shots and highest xG - "has come up trumps a few times and fair enough is one of our main threats"

Absolutely nothing stats tbf apart from the goals and our team is embarassingly bad in front of goal and makes very fews chances so not really impressive, is it?

[ClaretPete001]

I would potentially believe this if I saw Brownhill or Cullen produce midfield splitting passes.

Passing side to side does mean they are bossing midfields.

I wouldn’t say they have won the midfield battle in the last three at all

Brownhill and Cullen aren't the kind of players that play midfield splitting passes. Cullen is a ratter and an anchor while Brownhill is more likely to arrive late in the box and score goals.

Regardless, who are they going to make defence splitting passes to? It's the classic chicken and egg conundrum.

What we need as a number of people have said on here numerous times is a forward who can play short with his back to goal - buy free kicks and occupy the centre halves. Ashely Barnes would do a job but we haven't got that type of player in the squad.

In the Championship, under VK prior to Xmas, J Rod played short and did a good job. You need someone who can take it short, play it out wide and then get into the box alongside someone like Brownhill or Flemming arriving late.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Neither of them played midfield splitting passes 2 years ago either. It's not their role and never has been and it's the wrong metric of thir effectiveness. And in any event, you can only play a midfield splitting pass if the pass is on. And currently, invariably, it ain't.

Your comparing apples to pears.

Two years ago we played a considerably different system with considerably better players.

For the record both Brownhill and Cullen had better passing stats that season. Although they will be slightly skewed due to different positions played (Brownhill played further forward that season).

Back to the original point your saying there not as effective this season because we have nothing in front of them. That’s just simply not true game after game this season there’s been players making runs and players in space, they continue to make the safe pass (Sky has highlighted this on numerous occasions now).

Our current system depends on midfielders being brave and trying to break lines, both of there passing has been exceedingly poor as of late.

[taio]

Absolutely nothing stats tbf apart from the goals and our team is embarassingly bad in front of goal and makes very fews chances so not really impressive, is it?

He has clearly contributed more than several players so far this season based on what I see at games which is backed up by the stats to date. An important player for us.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Brownhill and Cullen aren't the kind of players that play midfield splitting passes. Cullen is a ratter and an anchor while Brownhill is more likely to arrive late in the box and score goals.

Regardless, who are they going to make defence splitting passes to? It's the classic chicken and egg conundrum.

What we need as a number of people have said on here numerous times is a forward who can play short with his back to goal - buy free kicks and occupy the centre halves. Ashely Barnes would do a job but we haven't got that type of player in the squad.

In the Championship, under VK prior to Xmas, J Rod played short and did a good job. You need someone who can take it short, play it out wide and then get into the box alongside someone like Brownhill or Flemming arriving late.

What you are suggesting is not the system we are playing though.

Our midfielders need to work in the tight spaces and break the lines. Your are correct neither of them can do that which is why it is generally agreed they look poor this season.

I think the January window we will actively be targeting another CM (I also think we will move Brownhill on in January given his contract situation).

[GetIntoEm]

I’m not wrong though am I

I heard the atmosphere was crap round your gaff too, shite brews apparently as well

[Devils_Advocate]

The issue we have throughout the team (not just midfield) isnt defence splitting passes but that in general we dont pass it enough with pace and purpose meaning players have to wait for the ball or break their run. This is what slows our play down and makes us easy to defend against.

Basically we need to transition from the back to the front much quicker but with a string of several passes rather than going longer. What the answer is im not sure but from small glimpses I think Hannibal in a central position rather than being pushed further forward will help this and the reason we look a little better with Laurent on is because there is more urgency in his passing and general play.

Brownhill has been our best and more consistent midfielder this season but I think we might actually play better as a team without him but I think we are a long way from that and from thinking about dropping our captain

[Stevie Morgan]

Neither of them played midfield splitting passes 2 years ago either. It's not their role and never has been and it's the wrong metric of thir effectiveness. And in any event, you can only play a midfield splitting pass if the pass is on. And currently, invariably, it ain't.

I think this is it tho. With our current players and system, we need different things this year. Control isn't the aim of the plan in the same way. Thats why Laurent and Hannibal improved things today when they came on. More drive, urgency and vertical passes.