Anti Parker Agenda

[houseboy]

I might be over thinking things here (it won’t be a first) but it seems to me that there is an element of our (so called) supporters who want Parker to fail so badly that they seem almost disappointed when we win. We’ve only lost two games, have the best defence in all top four divisions, and are just two points off the top (Leeds - a team we have beaten away). Now if that is not cause for celebration after roughly a third of the season I don’t know what is (apart from obviously being top, which I believe will come).
We had our starting team decimated and Parker has rebuilt in a way that would have seen many managers crumble. Some people just don’t seem to be able to accept they are wrong and drag on about it day after day. Parker is doing a fine job and if you don’t like the football go see what’s on offer at Deadwood. I believe they are play so decent football, for a mid-table outfit.

[Stonehouse]

Completely agreed with you until you suggested people should go and support Rovers and then you became an happy clapper.Everyone ones entitled to their own opinion even if some of us don’t agree with it.

[Quicknick]

I am a big fan of Parker.

[GetIntoEm]

You're right there's a few on here, but they don't go to games. Not sure they are even Burnley fans, just on here to stir up trouble.

[Murger]

You're right there's a few on here, but they don't go to games. Not sure they are even Burnley fans, just on here to stir up trouble.

Which is your opinion. Do you know for a fact that those who complain don’t go on?

[CaptJohn]

From my perspective Parker is very pragmatic and is doing a good job with the resources available. To lose all the players via transfers and then have so many long term injuries must have tested his resilience and patience. Our display at Bristol showed that the players are slowly understanding the system he wants and we looked good for long periods. The grit and determination of the players at the end, when the inevitable Bristol onslaught materialised, must have pleased him no end as well. It shows some steel in the team which bodes well for the long slog, that is the Championship.

[Ptgclaret]

I go on, and I'm not a fan Parker (currently)

Yes, we're great at stopping teams from scoring, but I pay alot to go on the game for the entertainment of live football. Currently, there is very little. The game just drifts on by, and really isn't a good watch. My 10 yr old only goes to play with his mates, they pay no notice to the game Infront of them because there isn't much to see.

The caveat though is that we've not yet seen Flemming play behind a striker, and I'm happy to hive him time to figure out the lack of goals. Were 2 points off the top of the league, we've been in far worse positions. It's just boring.

[MrTopTier]

There is a lot to be admired in the stats, clean sheets, etc.
To achieve that takes a lot of skill dedication and hard work on the training pitch and then to execute that in a game situation is to be respected.

However as a spectacle, we are predictable and not very exciting to watch. If I wasn’t a Burnley fan who went to games I certainly wouldn’t pay to watch them.

[Row x]

You're right there's a few on here, but they don't go to games. Not sure they are even Burnley fans, just on here to stir up trouble.

All of them missing in action since Saturday, but then again they couldn't post their ratings 5 mins after the game and give Trafford 4

[jedi_master]

Parker as a man is someone I have grown to like more and more since his appointment, seems a thoroughly decent guy on the face of what we see/hear and the players seem to like him. The style of football is very similar to Kompany's in my mind, just without that killer instinct up top (but when you don't have the likes of a Tella and are missing so many wing/forward players to injury, maybe this isn't unexpected). More goals would be nice but it's hard to argue with our position and our defensive record is the best I have seen in my lifetime I think? He deserves so much praise for what he has done with CJ Egan-Riley who, if we're honest, looked like a failed punt who we would probably never see play for us again. He is arguably one of the best young centre backs in the country on current form (surely in line for an England U21 call up). If we keep the clean sheets coming and invest in a good striker in January then you'd not bet against us for a top two finish.

[Quicknick]

Parker as a man is someone I have grown to like more and more since his appointment, seems a thoroughly decent guy on the face of what we see/hear and the players seem to like him. The style of football is very similar to Kompany's in my mind, just without that killer instinct up top (but when you don't have the likes of a Tella and are missing so many wing/forward players to injury, maybe this isn't unexpected). More goals would be nice but it's hard to argue with our position and our defensive record is the best I have seen in my lifetime I think? He deserves so much praise for what he has done with CJ Egan-Riley who, if we're honest, looked like a failed punt who we would probably never see play for us again. He is arguably one of the best young centre backs in the country on current form (surely in line for an England U21 call up). If we keep the clean sheets coming and invest in a good striker in January then you'd not bet against us for a top two finish.

Excellent analysis, jedi.

[GetIntoEm]

Which is your opinion. Do you know for a fact that those who complain don’t go on?

Yes it's clear as day

My opinion is that he had the rug pulled early doors and has adapted well. It's easy to see the steady improvement we've had.

At the moment, I'm happy.

We are not conceding, players are stepping up and we've started to score more

Can't ask anymore at this point

[Woodleyclaret]

Fao Capt John
Spot on winning ugly is a Dyche like solution and we know how successful Sean was

[Hipper]

It is of course a work in progress. And it looks to me like progress is being made. That short spell at Bristol in the early second half was pretty exciting for example and overall you can see a plan and a team emerging.

The Parker out types are mostly knee-jerk reaction to disappointing and poor performances or results. I wouldn't take much notice of them at this time of the season.

[steve1264b]

"Yes, we're great at stopping teams from scoring, but I pay alot to go on the game for the entertainment of live football".

A quote from above.

Ive never understood this arguement. You could argue that last season was more "entertaining" but i wouldnt. Football has given me great joy, anger, sorrow but never entertainment.

[Holtyclaret]

I go on, and I'm not a fan Parker (currently)

Yes, we're great at stopping teams from scoring, but I pay alot to go on the game for the entertainment of live football. Currently, there is very little. The game just drifts on by, and really isn't a good watch. My 10 yr old only goes to play with his mates, they pay no notice to the game Infront of them because there isn't much to see.

The caveat though is that we've not yet seen Flemming play behind a striker, and I'm happy to hive him time to figure out the lack of goals. Were 2 points off the top of the league, we've been in far worse positions. It's just boring.

I wasn’t bored in the slightest on Saturday. Entertaining game in atrocious conditions.

[ChorltonCharlie]

I’d rather be objective than having any kind of agenda and judge him on what I’ve seen of his time at Burnley. The last two away games have seen much need improvements and delivered 4 good points. The last home game was still very concerning, and we got lucky. That’s been a theme throughout the season. We’ve rarely got less than we deserved, but several times come away with points the performance hasn’t merited or had the benefit of refereeing decisions that could have easily gone the other way. That won’t keep happening, so to maintain our start we’re going to have to improve. The worry is if we don’t improve we’re going to have a pretty miserable winter with many big games to come either side of Christmas.

[burnley007]

I'm still here.
Bored rigid with our style of anti football.

I go to games though, so that kinda spoils it for some of you.

[ClaretPete001]

I think the expectation was we would walk this division. And after two games it looked like we would.

Unfortunately, after a chaotic Window we are left with 1 striker who has often been unavailable (not his fault but it still affects the team), one from the French second division and Jay Rod who is 35. We also have two strikers out on loan.

He may overcome it but it's a little unfair to blame him for it.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Yes it's clear as day

My opinion is that he had the rug pulled early doors and has adapted well. It's easy to see the steady improvement we've had.

At the moment, I'm happy.

We are not conceding, players are stepping up and we've started to score more

Can't ask anymore at this point

We're not scoring more, even taking away those two high scoring games at the start of the season, the trend overall is that we're scoring slightly less. Since September our scoring record is...

1 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 1

6 goals in the first 6 games, 3 goals in the next 6. Some people are so desperate to fawn over Parker it hinders the chance of decent discussion. Our 3 main rivals goals scored in November:
Leeds - 9
Sheffield United - 7
Middlesbrough - 15

Celebrating scoring 2 in the same time period as some kind of success is just absurd.

[RVclaret]

Read this morning our 6 goals conceded after 16 games is the least amount at this level for any team since the 1920s.

[ClaretPete001]

I’d rather be objective than having any kind of agenda and judge him on what I’ve seen of his time at Burnley. The last two away games have seen much need improvements and delivered 4 good points. The last home game was still very concerning, and we got lucky. That’s been a theme throughout the season. We’ve rarely got less than we deserved, but several times come away with points the performance hasn’t merited or had the benefit of refereeing decisions that could have easily gone the other way. That won’t keep happening, so to maintain our start we’re going to have to improve. The worry is if we don’t improve we’re going to have a pretty miserable winter with many big games to come either side of Christmas.

Yes, but is it being objective just blaming the manager? Teams are parking the bus against a team that doesn't have a proven striker at Championship level who is younger than 35.

We have two wingers and for the first time on Saturday we had a player in the team who can head a ball and lead the line but few are calling for Jay Rod to be named in the first 11. Our main striker has scored 2 Championship goals in 19 games and is often unavailable.

Can you blame Parker for that...?

[Walt]

Most, possibly all Championship teams would snap your hand off for a fully fit Redmond and Ramsey. Both are on their way back.

Granted we'll still have to be patient given the length of time they've been out, but they will improve us.

Parker is doing a good job in my opinion.

[Benson]

You're right there's a few on here, but they don't go to games.

Neither does the OP.

[hoosier-daddy]

Most, possibly all Championship teams would snap your hand off for a fully fit Redmond and Ramsey. Both are on their way back.

What's the latest with Ramsey is he close? Redmond was on the bench, but has Ramsey got near to a U21s/Reserve game yet?

Hopefully Redmond gets some minutes from the bench tomorrow.

[houseboy]

Completely agreed with you until you suggested people should go and support Rovers and then you became an happy clapper.Everyone ones entitled to their own opinion even if some of us don’t agree with it.

Forgive me I wasn’t advocating going to support Rovers, just go and watch a game and see where playing ‘nice’ football gets you if you don’t have the players.

[Walt]

What's the latest with Ramsey is he close? Redmond was on the bench, but has Ramsey got near to a U21s/Reserve game yet?

Hopefully Redmond gets some minutes from the bench tomorrow.

Not sure but he's been training a while now can't be far away from a 45 min run out for academy

[fatboy47]

A handful of moaners who through continuous repetetive posting manage to appear a significant number...like with the crowd scenes in Zulu.

They'll all be in the crowd outside the town hall next May, desperate for a piece of the action.

[houseboy]

I'm still here.
Bored rigid with our style of anti football.

I go to games though, so that kinda spoils it for some of you.

Do you want pretty football or success? We played some pretty football last season and look where that got us. Dyche didn’t bother with pretty, he just did what was necessary, and most of the time it worked. Personally I want success and I don’t care how we get it really.

[BigChaCha]

You are overthinking it in my opinion!...

It is as simple as us playing some of the most boring football for a very long time. The last time we were in this division, we played some of the best we have ever seen, so quite a portion of our fan base is a bit privileged because we were spoilt last time with the entertainment on offer...

Many of those fans came on board under Kompany's management, so they are not used to watching 'functional' football...

I can see it coming together over the last 2 or 3 games, so I am happy enough now and willing to give him more time but we need to keep playing like we did in the first 60 minutes of the last game to keep a decent proportion of fans on his side.

[hoosier-daddy]

Not sure but he's been training a while now can't be far away from a 45 min run out for academy

In the Champ he's played 29 games, scored 8 goals, with 4 assists.

I'll have some of that.

[houseboy]

Neither does the OP.

Actually I go when I can and have been a supporter since Jimmy Mac. I was a season ticket holder and once missed one home game in ten years (and that was a pre season friendly). I travelled all over following them and losing used to ruin my weekend.
I now have a wife who hates football more than anyone on here hates Rovers and an argument ensues every time I go. Having a family meant I couldn’t afford to go for a long time but now I do attend some games with my youngest daughter.
You are living proof that people make statements on here with absolutely no knowledge of what they are talking about.

[CoolClaret]

You are overthinking it in my opinion!...

It is as simple as us playing some of the most boring football for a very long time. The last time we were in this division, we played some of the best we have ever seen, so quite a portion of our fan base is a bit privileged because we were spoilt last time with the entertainment on offer...

Many of those fans came on board under Kompany's management, so they are not used to watching 'functional' football...

I can see it coming together over the last 2 or 3 games, so I am happy enough now and willing to give him more time but we need to keep playing like we did in the first 60 minutes of the last game to keep a decent proportion of fans on his side.

It's not too dissimilar - we just had better attacking options in the VK team and better passers of the ball involved in the buildup.

Conor Roberts said much the same in an interview earlier in the season.

Fans have a bit of a blinkered view of VK season - yes, it was bloody wonderful, but not every game was a galavanting 4-0 win. There were plenty of games we were playing side to side when the opposition camped in, requiring a bit of individual brilliance to break through.

[Garnerssoap]

I do like his clobber. Found myself purchasing a shawl collared cashmere cardigan the other day ready for the last sunshine away day this season. It’ll be a ‘dress like Scottie day’ to celebrate the championship trophy lifting for me

[NottsClaret]

It is possible to accept Parker isn't a great manager but not want him sacked - even if you think it was a mistake to appoint him in the summer (as I did). He's a sort of competent, uninspiring manager. He's a decent guy. The football his teams play is fairly dull, but he usually gets results just about in line with the expectations on that squad / wage bill.

Not sure he adds much value, but he won't entirely scupper your chances either. In fact, now that he's here and doing exactly what you'd expect, it's remarkable that he generates strong opinions either way.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Yes, but is it being objective just blaming the manager? Teams are parking the bus against a team that doesn't have a proven striker at Championship level who is younger than 35.

We have two wingers and for the first time on Saturday we had a player in the team who can head a ball and lead the line but few are calling for Jay Rod to be named in the first 11. Our main striker has scored 2 Championship goals in 19 games and is often unavailable.

Can you blame Parker for that...?

Which teams have parked the bus? The majority haven't.

Which teams have proven strikers? From what I can see only Leeds have one that ticks that box. Emmanuel Latte Lath is top scorer, but until the end of last season he'd done nothing special. He also cost considerably less than Foster and in the same ball park as Hountondji. Tom Cannon and Vakoun Bayo also scoring well this season. Either of them proven Championship strikers?

I'm not blaming Parker for anything. We're in a good position, but I think we're a tad fortunate to be where we are, when we have enough quality to be there on merit. It always makes me laugh that we have to be ultra-positive about the manager, but can criticise players left, right and centre. In an attacking sense we're well under-achieving, and unless that improves we won't maintain this position. That's what all the signs point to, and is the reason why the bookies now think Leeds, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland all have a better chance at promotion than us.

None of this is anti-Parker, it's just not fawning over him coming up with disingenuous excuses for why we're below average in an attacking sense.

[Guller Bull]

It's a but dull.

No I am not anti Parker per se , just don't see the style of play changing anytime soon.

I don't go on regularly as live in Scotland and work every weekend but I am a million miles away in terms of enthusiasm for driving the hard miles and spending the hard earned cash to travel down on a Winters evening to watch that style of play. I'd be torpid on the way back up the M6.

[Goobs]

Yes, but is it being objective just blaming the manager? Teams are parking the bus against a team that doesn't have a proven striker at Championship level who is younger than 35.

We have two wingers and for the first time on Saturday we had a player in the team who can head a ball and lead the line but few are calling for Jay Rod to be named in the first 11. Our main striker has scored 2 Championship goals in 19 games and is often unavailable.

Can you blame Parker for that...?

I've probably been as critical of Jay as anyone and can honestly say, I would have rather we had kept Barnes. However, I thought Jay was brilliant on Saturday and showed he still has pace in his legs with the way he rinsed one of their defenders early in the 2nd half (I think it was).

On another day he could have had at least 2 goals. Hopefully with an extended run in the team both he and the teams goal tally will rise.

BUT this needs to be the last season we depend on him as a starter especially if we go up.

[NewClaret]

It is possible to accept Parker isn't a great manager but not want him sacked - even if you think it was a mistake to appoint him in the summer (as I did). He's a sort of competent, uninspiring manager. He's a decent guy. The football his teams play is fairly dull, but he usually gets results just about in line with the expectations on that squad / wage bill.

Not sure he adds much value, but he won't entirely scupper your chances either. In fact, now that he's here and doing exactly what you'd expect, it's remarkable that he generates strong opinions either way.

I agree with Jedi’s post but have also liked this because I think there’s some truth in what you say.

My perspective is that as a person he’s hugely grown on me. I was underwhelmed at his appointment but in terms of how he deals with the media I think he’s been a breath of fresh air. Love his honest assessments of games, acknowledgement of failings, praise for the fans, etc. Also love that he’s got involved with the community.

I also think it’s harsh to say he doesn’t add much value. Per Jedi’s post, he’s done a fantastic job with the defence and CJ.

That said, I think it’s also fair to say with this squad and wage bill I don’t think the results have been any different than you’d expect at best and maybe underwhelming if you were being harsh. I do have some hope that things will improve though when you listen to his interviews he seems to know where the problems are.

It’s also true that he inherited a very different situation to Kompany though (who could do a clean sweep) and has been savaged by injuries in the opening games that don’t remember Kompany being.

If he’d had no injuries it’d be a 6 or 7 out of 10, but with them and the late window turmoil, I’m giving him 8/10. Hoping we’re now going to start kicking on.

[kentonclaret]

We're not scoring more, even taking away those two high scoring games at the start of the season, the trend overall is that we're scoring slightly less. Since September our scoring record is...

1 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 1

6 goals in the first 6 games, 3 goals in the next 6. Some people are so desperate to fawn over Parker it hinders the chance of decent discussion. Our 3 main rivals goals scored in November:
Leeds - 9
Sheffield United - 7
Middlesbrough - 15

Celebrating scoring 2 in the same time period as some kind of success is just absurd.

Burnley simply do not possess the quality of striker (s) that Leeds and Middlesbrough have at their disposal. On the flip side Burnley have conceded just 6 goals across the first 16 games which hasn’t been achieved in the second tier of English football at this stage of a season since the 1920’s.
If we had a player with the finishing ability of a Latte Lath or a player with the guile and eye for goal of a Finn Azaz then I am sure that Parker would set the team up differently.

[warksclaret]

Personally he has proved to be for me better than I had envisaged. Big clubs would pay for a top coach to get their goals against column reduced to anything close to ours. On Saturday once we scored I had no doubt we would stop them scoring. For those people knocking our level of attacking football you seem to forget we lost Berge, Amdouini, Odobert (all permanent players), plus O Shea who in my opinion would have scored 2-3 more goals from set pieces (having said that Egan Riley has been brilliant), Add to that Foster has missed more games than played in, and Fleming has developed a horrible knack of being unavailable. How he has got a tune out of the final group he acquired and taken them to two points of the leaders is remarkable.With a good transfer window letting Parker pick up some proper fire power and getting rid of some of our sick notes then we will have a great second half of the season. I am very much glass half filled re our manager

[TsarBomba]

Parker as a man is someone I have grown to like more and more since his appointment, seems a thoroughly decent guy on the face of what we see/hear and the players seem to like him. The style of football is very similar to Kompany's in my mind, just without that killer instinct up top (but when you don't have the likes of a Tella and are missing so many wing/forward players to injury, maybe this isn't unexpected). More goals would be nice but it's hard to argue with our position and our defensive record is the best I have seen in my lifetime I think? He deserves so much praise for what he has done with CJ Egan-Riley who, if we're honest, looked like a failed punt who we would probably never see play for us again. He is arguably one of the best young centre backs in the country on current form (surely in line for an England U21 call up). If we keep the clean sheets coming and invest in a good striker in January then you'd not bet against us for a top two finish.

I’m pretty disgusted with the way we’ve gone about treating players over the past 2 years. I liked Al-Dakhil and the way he and many others were tossed to one side was criminal. Egan-Riley was going the same way.

I’m a huge fan of Parker, and he’s doing a very good job on the whole. I think it’s massively under appreciated just what a mess the club was in this summer. It was turmoil.

I look forward to some stability being brought back on and off the pitch, and a reintroduction of some of the qualities that made us so successful under Dyche.

[Mattster]

I'm probably seen as a badged up member of the anti-Parker brigade. I was against his appointment because I believed (and still believe) he doesn't get the most out of the players at his disposal, the football he plays is mind numbing, he cannot adapt to PL as the success of his tactics is predicated entirely on having significantly better players than the opposition (which he'll never have at PL level).

I am not disappointed when we win, the opposite in fact, but at the same time I think a good manager with the resources Parker has available to him has us performing better in terms of performances, goals scored and points.

Bristol City was an improvement without being great, if Parker can build on it then brilliant. However, we have yet to follow through on any improvements made, tending to see one step forward followed by a step back in the next match.

I've yet to be convinced to change my mind about Parker, but that's not to say I won't be if he defies my expectations.

[ClaretTony]

Whether there is any agenda or not, I don't know, but I do know there is nothing of the kind when you go to games. He's developing a very good relationship I'd say with those who travel to away games. Sad though if there is any kind of agenda given the circumstances which forced him to build a new team.

Give him time and he'll rebuild the club and hopefully restore what we had before.

[fatboy47]

Whether there is any agenda or not, I don't know, but I do know there is nothing of the kind when you go to games

There's the reality. The rest of the thred is just the usual mince.

[Big Vinny K]

I'm probably seen as a badged up member of the anti-Parker brigade. I was against his appointment because I believed (and still believe) he doesn't get the most out of the players at his disposal, the football he plays is mind numbing, he cannot adapt to PL as the success of his tactics is predicated entirely on having significantly better players than the opposition (which he'll never have at PL level).

I am not disappointed when we win, the opposite in fact, but at the same time I think a good manager with the resources Parker has available to him has us performing better in terms of performances, goals scored and points.

Bristol City was an improvement without being great, if Parker can build on it then brilliant. However, we have yet to follow through on any improvements made, tending to see one step forward followed by a step back in the next match.

I've yet to be convinced to change my mind about Parker, but that's not to say I won't be if he defies my expectations.

What exactly do you think are these ‘resources he has at his disposal” ?

He is playing a keeper that a lot of supporters and many people on this board slagged off all of last season. SP and Trafford seem to have quietened the majority of these detractors now.

Our right back was sent out to Leeds last year - where most of his appearances came from the bench.

One of our centre backs has been nowhere near the first team or even the bench since he arrived more than 2 years ago and is now arguably one of our best players.

He has had no striker available for most of the season.

We have players like Brownhill and others out of contract and seemingly looking to move on next season.

The signings he has made like Flemming, Humphreys, Hannibal, Lauren have only had championship experience with mid table at best clubs previously.

He’s has a load of players out injured - many long term and many taking up significant portions of our wage budget.

He’s inherited a number of player ‘problems” with players he did not sign and no new manager would want.

Etc etc

I agree some of the football has been difficult to watch and like any manager I’m sure he would admit he’s made mistakes too. But with the way the club was decimated in August and what he has had to deal with since I think SP and the players has done more than well considering what he has had to deal with. We seem to have an excellent spirit amongst the players who want to be here and the ones he has brought in himself.

Our club is a tough gig right now. Over hyped expectations from a number of our fans and a precarious position off the field if we do not get promoted this season or next. I’m sure SP is getting handsomely paid to face this challenge but getting promoted is going to be far more difficult than any of our recent periods in this division and in my view that is irrespective of who we appointed as manager.

[warksclaret]

What exactly do you think are these ‘resources he has at his disposal” ?

He is playing a keeper that a lot of supporters and many people on this board slagged off all of last season. SP and Trafford seem to have quietened the majority of these detractors now.

Our right back was sent out to Leeds last year - where most of his appearances came from the bench.

One of our centre backs has been nowhere near the first team or even the bench since he arrived more than 2 years ago and is now arguably one of our best players.

He has had no striker available for most of the season.

We have players like Brownhill and others out of contract and seemingly looking to move on next season.

The signings he has made like Flemming, Humphreys, Hannibal, Lauren have only had championship experience with mid table at best clubs previously.

He’s has a load of players out injured - many long term and many taking up significant portions of our wage budget.

He’s inherited a number of player ‘problems” with players he did not sign and no new manager would want.

Etc etc

I agree some of the football has been difficult to watch and like any manager I’m sure he would admit he’s made mistakes too. But with the way the club was decimated in August and what he has had to deal with since I think SP and the players has done more than well considering what he has had to deal with. We seem to have an excellent spirit amongst the players who want to be here and the ones he has brought in himself.

Our club is a tough gig right now. Over hyped expectations from a number of our fans and a precarious position off the field if we do not get promoted this season or next. I’m sure SP is getting handsomely paid to face this challenge but getting promoted is going to be far more difficult than any of our recent periods in this division and in my view that is irrespective of who we appointed as manager.

Very well said Vinnie. I had to laugh when the poster used the line "with the resources he has at his disposal". I would love to see Wilder or Farke get to within two points of the leaders with our starting 11, and at present Leeds and Sheff Utd are the front runners with a far superior squad of players

[Rowls]

It's very easy to ascribe malicious or bad faith motives to others. They're "trolling" or "fishing". Sometimes it's even worse than that.

I've been critical of Parker since some very early displays.

With regards to my criticisms of Parker (or anybody else) the motivation is only ever rooted in concern for BFC.

Even if there were an agenda, criticisms should stand on their merits - not the perceptions of those who dont agree with the criticisms.

[ClaretPete001]

Which teams have parked the bus? The majority haven't.

Which teams have proven strikers? From what I can see only Leeds have one that ticks that box. Emmanuel Latte Lath is top scorer, but until the end of last season he'd done nothing special. He also cost considerably less than Foster and in the same ball park as Hountondji. Tom Cannon and Vakoun Bayo also scoring well this season. Either of them proven Championship strikers?

I'm not blaming Parker for anything. We're in a good position, but I think we're a tad fortunate to be where we are, when we have enough quality to be there on merit. It always makes me laugh that we have to be ultra-positive about the manager, but can criticise players left, right and centre. In an attacking sense we're well under-achieving, and unless that improves we won't maintain this position. That's what all the signs point to, and is the reason why the bookies now think Leeds, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland all have a better chance at promotion than us.

None of this is anti-Parker, it's just not fawning over him coming up with disingenuous excuses for why we're below average in an attacking sense.

'Which teams have parked the bus? The majority haven't.' - I think you are on your own in that view tbh.

I would be a liar if I said I had seen that much of these players but they are more experienced and have scored more goals than we have available.

J Piroe scored nigh on one in two for Swansea prior to joining Leeds. They also have Daniel James who has mostly played in the PL but is a 1 in 3 scorer in the Championship.

E Latte Lath scored better than 1 in 2 for Boro last season. Tom Conway is 1 in 4 in the Championship for Boro in nigh on 100 games.

Bayo has scored nigh on 1 in 3 over 180 games for Watford.

Sunderland's Isidor has scored slightly under 1 in 3 in nearly 150 games mostly in the Russian Premier League.

West Brom's - J Maja has scored just over 1 in 3 largely for Bourdeaux in Ligue 1.

Lyle Foster has scored 22 in 135 - something like 1 in 6 and has never played more than 26 games in a season. His record in the Championship is 2 in 19. Hountondji has never played above Ligue 2 in France and Jay is 35. I agree with your views on the team but I don't agree we have comparatively strong attacking options or that other teams sold half a team in the last week of the Window.

Overall, I think it's a little bit unfair to entirely blame Parker for the lack of goals or style of play.

[BurnleyFC]

No Burnley fan in their right mind would want us to lose, just because they might not like Scott Parker.

The win on Saturday was very good, with a much improved performance. More of the same on Tuesday, please!