Anti Parker Agenda

[Mattster]

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.

I think we should be performing better than we are in terms of performances, goals scored and points on the board based on the squad we have in comparison to the rest of the league. Personally, I think the squad speaks for itself, you pick negatives out of players, I could easily do the opposite but it would be a waste of time.

When you compare the squad to others there is no justification for having a record of 0.7 goals scored per game across the last 14 games IMO.

You think no one could do better, fine. I disagree. I'm not incessantly posting Parker Out or anything like that. But if you don't post when someone makes a thread like this then do if/when the results drop off then you'll get called reactionary or fickle.

[gandhisflipflop]

I’m at the point where I just want us to keep in touch with the top 2 until Jan and get the injured players back, sell the time wasters and get a striker in.

[ClaretPete001]

'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.

Some of the above suggest the players scored goals for the clubs they currently play for... It's badly written rather they have scored those goals throughout their career but currently play for the team cited. My bad....

[Shaggy]

The über fans attacks on the more moderate fans is tiresome
And unnecessary.

No fan wants burnley to lose.

The main gripe and issue with Parker and Parker ball is that it is dire to watch and unless we win, it’s a slog. There are very few actual fans who want to watch a slog. Football is about entertainment and enjoyment. It’s no surprise that the more successful teams have more fans..

The other issue is the data we have from Parker’s previous jobs. Is he really the man to lead us out in the PL or have we just signed him to get us out the division? Anything other than Automatic promotion will be a failure.

[Big Vinny K]

‘The uber fans attacks on the more moderate fans is tiresome”

That sentence pretty much says it all…..

It’s exactly the opposite !

Most of the supporters are not “uber”…… its just they have a far more balanced view that SP is not doing too bad given the hand he has been dealt and that it’s too early to make panic decisions.

It’s not ‘more moderate’ to be calling for the managers head after 3 or 4 months, or saying anything but automatic promotion is a failure etc

And let’s not do that thing of pretending that the ‘Uber’ fans are all eulogising about all of our performances. Literally nobody is.

[NL Claret]

Only read thru bits and pieces and I’m struggling to decide whether some poster’s comments show arrogance , entitlement or unrealistic expectations. Or all 3.

One line I’m really getting bored of reading, Bournemouth and Fulham warned us about Parker’s brand of football.

I feel that some poster think that 100 points is the benchmark when in reality it is very unlikely to happen again.

Be patient and let’s see where we end up.

[Raconteur]

I don't think any true supporters want us to lose.
They just want to be entertained and to enjoy the football on show.
This train of thought is fully understandable when you consider it costs upto £100 per away game and there is multiple of these each pay period.

It's a costly hobby and fully understandable that supporters also want to enjoy this time and be entertained.

I am constantly being told that it's only the results that matter but not for me. If that was the case I wouldn't bother watching the football I would just check the results.

The results may be the dominant factor but not the only one. Like it or not, football is also an entertainment business.

Do I expect us to be playing a nicer brand of football - with us having one of the most costly squads and one of the highest wage bills ( bar Leeds United)- yes I do.

The last couple of games have been an improvement though. I do believe we are starting to take a risk with some of the play and passing. Hopefully that will continue.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Only read thru bits and pieces and I’m struggling to decide whether some poster’s comments show arrogance , entitlement or unrealistic expectations. Or all 3.

One line I’m really getting bored of reading, Bournemouth and Fulham warned us about Parker’s brand of football.

I feel that some poster think that 100 points is the benchmark when in reality it is very unlikely to happen again.

Be patient and let’s see where we end up.

100% it is all 3.

This notion that because we have spent more money means you should be beating everyone is really dumb, yet when we do win most the time it's because the opposition are crap. We have played away to 3 of the 5 other clubs in the top 6 yet it is made to sound like we have only played weak teams.

I find the term "parkerball" far more mind numbing than watching us play, I couldn't care less what some fans of Bournemouth and Fulham say online about a manager who used to work there, we have some on here who claim Dyche is crap which alone should make others make their own mind up not told what to think by others.

Must be a real head scratcher to think Birmingham spent around 35 million in league 1 and failed to win 5 games out of 14 this season

[claretonthecoast1882]

I don't think any true supporters want us to lose.
They just want to be entertained and to enjoy the football on show.
This train of thought is fully understandable when you consider it costs upto £100 per away game and there is multiple of these each pay period.

It's a costly hobby and fully understandable that supporters also want to enjoy this time and be entertained.

I am constantly being told that it's only the results that matter but not for me. If that was the case I wouldn't bother watching the football I would just check the results.

The results may be the dominant factor but not the only one. Like it or not, football is also an entertainment business.

Do I expect us to be playing a nicer brand of football - with us having one of the most costly squads and one of the highest wage bills ( bar Leeds United)- yes I do.

The last couple of games have been an improvement though. I do believe we are starting to take a risk with some of the play and passing. Hopefully that will continue.

Saturday cost me over £200 with train & match ticket, taxis and food and drink. Strange how those there on Saturday didn't seem to not enjoy themselves in awful weather yet those who didn't go and stayed warm seem to have enjoyed it far less. Especially when you factor in their only cost was putting the TV on for 90 minutes

[ChorltonCharlie]

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

I'll give you a hand seeing as you want to evade the question. Only QPR and Oxford, plus that lot down the road once they went down to 10 men.

[summitclaret]

Things are slowly getting better overall. For me the jury is out on the way we play at home, where every team perhaps bar Swansea had no intention of attacking us.

We've been poor at getting men and the ball forward and unwilling to try anything different such as wingers swopping sides in game. In essence too risk averse at home. It's worked out okay so far as we are so hard to beat. However, with the firepower of SU,DL ,and Boro, we are going to need to win more games to get straight up.

[Raconteur]

Saturday cost me over £200 with train & match ticket, taxis and food and drink. Strange how those there on Saturday didn't seem to not enjoy themselves in awful weather yet those who didn't go and stayed warm seem to have enjoyed it far less. Especially when you factor in their only cost was putting the TV on for 90 minutes

That's a bit of a generalisation.

Are you saying all match going fans are happy with the performances and it's only armchair fans that are not happy with the performances.
That is ridiculous.

I wasn't specifically talking about Bristol City as I said the performances have improved and I was happy.

I have spent loads just on away games this season and have not enjoyed every performance. I have still supported the team from the first whistle and until the last and still clap the team off.

Not being happy with the performances does not mean you have to show this during the game by not getting behind the team.Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Away supporters are normally the diehards who go, irrelevant of the performances.

[kentonclaret]

Comparing our striking options and goal output to teams like Leeds United and Middlesbrough is quite frankly ridiculous. At the start of the season the shortest priced Burnley player to be Championship top scorer was Odobert at 66/1. At the head of that Market were players from Middlesbrough and Leeds namely Latte Lath, Mateo Joseph and Piroe.
When Leeds needed extra firepower yesterday they were able to throw on Gnonto and Joseph for the final 15 minutes. Ramazani was still waiting on the bench. All 3 would be considered as starters in our current starting eleven not expensive luxuries to be used when needed.

[ClaretPete001]

I'll give you a hand seeing as you want to evade the question. Only QPR and Oxford, plus that lot down the road once they went down to 10 men.

It's a matter of opinion but QPR, Plymouth, Rovers, Preston and Portsmouth at home.

Swansea are a decent side and Cardiff came at us early doors but we beat them 5-0 with the old squad.

Obviously away is a different matter.

[NewClaret]

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

I couldn’t disagree more with this point.

In part because we beat Leeds away after the sales and obviously did the double over Sheff U last season scoring 9 goals (and whilst we’ve lost a lot of talent, so did they - they did recruit wisely but equally we bought in a promoted keeper, a LB with 28 La Liga apps last season, a Chelsea starlet, a premier league CB & one of the championships best forward players - not exactly dross).

But mainly because you refer to squads and I think if you look at squads both Leeds and Sheff U fans will complain about their strength in depth. Our is unbelievable and it has been precisely that strength in depth that’s allowed us to get to 2 points off top with €18m Tresor, €16m Ramsey, €15m Beyer, Redmond, Ekdal, Delroix, Foster, Benson and Flemming out either all season or for a lot of games.

If those two teams stay injury free all season I can just about accept they have stronger first elevens with our injuries. I definitely can’t agree they have stronger squads. If they get struck by injuries to key players I think they’ll have difficulties maintaining their early season form.

I say this not in relation to the Parker discussion, but because I think it’s one of our key strengths that could see us go from strength to strength this season assuming we can get them all back for the second half of the year. We had the same under Kompany, but I’d argue Kompany’s squad had a little more individual talent. If we can add that in January, I think we’ll be well placed.

[NewClaret]

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.

I think this is a fair comment. We’ve seen improvements in recent weeks only to find a bad performance thrown in. We need to follow up Bristol with a win and ideally a more comfortable one where we hit the net a couple of times. I have no doubts that the goals will start flowing but we need a catalyst and efforts like JRods header and Koleosho’s effort to go in to nab a comfortable one. I see Cov as a really big game for that reason.

I agree with you that the football hasn’t been great in many games. To slow, too cautious. But in fairness to Parker he always acknowledges failings and discusses what needs to be better and we have seen improvements.

I also think the point Parker made about stability being important for our club is overlooked in your stats. Given the rollercoaster of the last two seasons, supposed squad unrest and upheaval, it’s definitely important to have a stability and calmness to act as a foundation for progress… and he seems to be delivering that.

[NL Claret]

Burnley’s only recent defeat and really poor performance has come at Millwall, a place that no team looks forward to playing at.

Millwall last 3 home games.

Sunderland 1-1
Leeds won 1-0
Burnley 1-0

A lot of teams will come unstuck at the new den this season.

[ChorltonCharlie]

It's a matter of opinion but QPR, Plymouth, Rovers, Preston and Portsmouth at home.

Swansea are a decent side and Cardiff came at us early doors but we beat them 5-0 with the old squad.

Obviously away is a different matter.

Preston 0-0 at home, they had as many shots as us and more touches in our box than we did with no sign of a low block.
Portsmouth took the game to us and deservedly led at half time. Course they defended deep in the second half.
Plymouth were just rubbish in the first half and allowed us to dominate. But they were hardly sat in a defensive structured unit. It was us that defended deep in the second half.

[ClaretPete001]

Preston 0-0 at home, they had as many shots as us and more touches in our box than we did with no sign of a low block.
Portsmouth took the game to us and deservedly led at half time. Course they defended deep in the second half.
Plymouth were just rubbish in the first half and allowed us to dominate. But they were hardly sat in a defensive structured unit. It was us that defended deep in the second half.

It's a matter of opinion. I watch the games and read the board like you and most people seem to think teams have largely defended quite deep against us. Portsmouth managed 30 per cent possession and Preston slightly more.

On reflection, Plymouth you may have a point but like I say it's very subjective and to be honest it's two months ago and I can barely remember what I had for lunch.

Personally, I can only really recall Swansea and Cardiff trying to give us a game but I may have Claret and Blue tinted spectacles.

[warksclaret]

I couldn’t disagree more with this point.

In part because we beat Leeds away after the sales and obviously did the double over Sheff U last season scoring 9 goals (and whilst we’ve lost a lot of talent, so did they - they did recruit wisely but equally we bought in a promoted keeper, a LB with 28 La Liga apps last season, a Chelsea starlet, a premier league CB & one of the championships best forward players - not exactly dross).

But mainly because you refer to squads and I think if you look at squads both Leeds and Sheff U fans will complain about their strength in depth. Our is unbelievable and it has been precisely that strength in depth that’s allowed us to get to 2 points off top with €18m Tresor, €16m Ramsey, €15m Beyer, Redmond, Ekdal, Delroix, Foster, Benson and Flemming out either all season or for a lot of games.

If those two teams stay injury free all season I can just about accept they have stronger first elevens with our injuries. I definitely can’t agree they have stronger squads. If they get struck by injuries to key players I think they’ll have difficulties maintaining their early season form.

I say this not in relation to the Parker discussion, but because I think it’s one of our key strengths that could see us go from strength to strength this season assuming we can get them all back for the second half of the year. We had the same under Kompany, but I’d argue Kompany’s squad had a little more individual talent. If we can add that in January, I think we’ll be well placed.

Its all about opinions New Claret but I doubt whether Roberts, Pires, Brownhill, Cullen, Laurent, Hannibal, Anthony, Sarmiento, Foster, Rodriguez, Hountondji would be regular starters in either Sheff Utd or Leeds .I also look with interest how many games Ramsey, Tresor, Foster, Benson,Delcroix, Beyer, and maybe even Redmond will start this season

[boyyanno]

Its all about opinions New Claret but I doubt whether Roberts, Pires, Brownhill, Cullen, Laurent, Hannibal, Anthony, Sarmiento, Foster, Rodriguez, Hountondji would be regular starters in either Sheff Utd or Leeds .I also look with interest how many games Ramsey, Tresor, Foster, Benson,Delcroix, Beyer, and maybe even Redmond will start this season

There's two separate points here:

The squad we have available right now probably isn't the best in the league.

The squad including injuries probably is. When you include the likes of Beyer, Ramsey, Tresor, Benson- I think you're talking about 4 stars in the division. If you add them to Koleosho, Esteve, Brownhill, Cullen, Flemming, Foster and Trafford then you probably have the makings of an unbelievable 11 at this level.

I think we are positioned about right for what we have available at the moment personally. But it's rare the league table works out like that anyway.

[boyyanno]

I think this is a fair comment. We’ve seen improvements in recent weeks only to find a bad performance thrown in. We need to follow up Bristol with a win and ideally a more comfortable one where we hit the net a couple of times. I have no doubts that the goals will start flowing but we need a catalyst and efforts like JRods header and Koleosho’s effort to go in to nab a comfortable one. I see Cov as a really big game for that reason.

I agree with you that the football hasn’t been great in many games. To slow, too cautious. But in fairness to Parker he always acknowledges failings and discusses what needs to be better and we have seen improvements.

I also think the point Parker made about stability being important for our club is overlooked in your stats. Given the rollercoaster of the last two seasons, supposed squad unrest and upheaval, it’s definitely important to have a stability and calmness to act as a foundation for progress… and he seems to be delivering that.

I'm not sure I agree. I actually think in terms of football we have shown progress- albeit slowly.

Improvement is not linear in football, I think performances have been slowly improving with one or two bad ones along the way, but most fans probably acknowledge we are finding our way. I still think we have some way to go don't get me wrong, but I consider that a potential positive given where we are in the league right now.

I actually think when you consider the personal we have to come back (although the cynic in me says we won't see players like Tresor/Benson again) we should be well placed to make a good push of it. We look more like the tortoise than the Hare this season but there are many ways to finish the race.

[Hipper]

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.

It's difficult to compare us with any of our rivals because, unlike them, we have a new manager and coaching staff, and a squad that has altered considerably. As such other challengers should hit the ground running. We did but after two games the heart was ripped out of that squad.

So far this season I'm not convinced we have players with naturally good attacking or creative qualities. Most on here seem to expect that to come from our various injured players or a new striker in January. The creative players signed seem OK at this level but no more. We seem to be playing to our strengths, defensive strengths. Goals will therefore have to come from some plan. There are encouraging signs from the last three matches that this is what is happening, albeit slowly.

Last weekend Coventry gave Sheffield United a bit of a run around apparently, and not just because of the red card so it will be interesting how we cope on Tuesday.

[NewClaret]

Its all about opinions New Claret but I doubt whether Roberts, Pires, Brownhill, Cullen, Laurent, Hannibal, Anthony, Sarmiento, Foster, Rodriguez, Hountondji would be regular starters in either Sheff Utd or Leeds .I also look with interest how many games Ramsey, Tresor, Foster, Benson,Delcroix, Beyer, and maybe even Redmond will start this season

That it is, so to take our personal opinions out of it, if you go off squad valuations on transfermarkt just as an external, unbiased perspective of squad strength, this is their view:

Burnley - €187m
Leeds - €174m
Sheff U - €89m

Now there’s some very questionable valuations of players in those lists for every team, but as a general external perspective I think it’s as close as we’ll get without debating every player/position.

To be honest, my view is us vs Sheff U is probably a fair reflection on the gap in squad depth. I’d view Leeds as closer but a bit further apart than transfermarkt suggest.

Either way, I don’t think that external view supports they have far superior squads. I can accept with our injuries there is an argument they currently have stronger starting elevens.

I’d love a comparison of the three teams squads by premier league appearances and international caps if anyone can easily access that info.

We’ll know more when we’ve played them both twice!

As stated, I’m a big fan of Parker but I can’t subscribe to any notion that he has inferior squad to those guys or the rest of the division. It’s the strongest or a close second. He’s immensely lucky to have the players he does and I think given time we’ll start to see the strength of our squad pay dividends.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

This is where I am with it.

Like Parker as a personality, seems a decent guy that has worked hard to get where he is in life. All good there.

Football the team is playing is unwatchable

Has to get us up or it's a pointless exercise

Can see Alan potting him for a bigger name if we go up and I think he should do if the style doesn't improve throughout the season

There's is no entertainment value in this team even worse than watching VKs defenders passing it between each other for 85 minutes.


He needs to sell Foster and Kolo and get a proper striker in that's going to be available every game, I know Lyle has his troubles but we need someone desperately that's going to play every week and that has pace.

[NewClaret]

There's two separate points here:

The squad we have available right now probably isn't the best in the league.

The squad including injuries probably is. When you include the likes of Beyer, Ramsey, Tresor, Benson- I think you're talking about 4 stars in the division. If you add them to Koleosho, Esteve, Brownhill, Cullen, Flemming, Foster and Trafford then you probably have the makings of an unbelievable 11 at this level.

I think we are positioned about right for what we have available at the moment personally. But it's rare the league table works out like that anyway.

But a squad is a squad, is it not?

As in, of our 25 we have an awful lot injured that might consider themselves starters but certainly match day squad players when fit, but that in itself demonstrates the strength of our squad that we’ve done very well without them, two points off top.

Agree with your assessment that when you add some of those in to this team it’s an unbelievable 11 - and hard to argue it’s not the best in the division in my opinion.

[Vegas Claret]

Regardless of anything it is incredibly obvious that Parker genuinely cares and it's pretty clear the players are with him.

[taio]

Regardless of anything it is incredibly obvious that Parker genuinely cares and it's pretty clear the players are with him.

This does seem to be the case, and I think he has many supporters prepared to give him time, thankfully.

[Row x]

This is where I am with it.

Like Parker as a personality, seems a decent guy that has worked hard to get where he is in life. All good there.

Football the team is playing is unwatchable

Has to get us up or it's a pointless exercise

Can see Alan potting him for a bigger name if we go up and I think he should do if the style doesn't improve throughout the season

There's is no entertainment value in this team even worse than watching VKs defenders passing it between each other for 85 minutes.


He needs to sell Foster and Kolo and get a proper striker in that's going to be available every game, I know Lyle has his troubles but we need someone desperately that's going to play every week and that has pace.

You didn't like the way kompany played

You don't like the way parker plays

Thank goodness you think it's unwatchable, at least you won't be commenting on it.

[NewClaret]

I'm not sure I agree. I actually think in terms of football we have shown progress- albeit slowly.

Improvement is not linear in football, I think performances have been slowly improving with one or two bad ones along the way, but most fans probably acknowledge we are finding our way. I still think we have some way to go don't get me wrong, but I consider that a potential positive given where we are in the league right now.

I actually think when you consider the personal we have to come back (although the cynic in me says we won't see players like Tresor/Benson again) we should be well placed to make a good push of it. We look more like the tortoise than the Hare this season but there are many ways to finish the race.

I think we’re completely agreeing with each other actually

I see good signs of progress. I do understand the ‘boring’ tag that’s been given to us this year but also feel that’s a tad harsh too, certainly in the last couple of games, but earlier in the season there’s been periods of play I’ve considered good, exciting football. Just poor execution with the final ball and not enough of it.

Esteves ball to Koleosho for the goal is a key example of this progress actually. As much as I love him, he’s been one of the safer passers this year, but with safe square passes on he curves a ball in front of Koleosho for him to run on to. Was very happy with that.

I actually feel like we’re really building in to the season nicely now and starting to see attacking performances improve whilst being rock solid defensively. Nudging along, as Parker calls it. I think we’re a bit closer than people might think but we need a bit of luck in front of goal for a convincing win and then I expect the confidence will start to carry us.

Love your hare and tortoise analogy and agree it might be the latter that wins us the race this year, but I don’t really care.

[ClaretPete001]

But a squad is a squad, is it not?

As in, of our 25 we have an awful lot injured that might consider themselves starters but certainly match day squad players when fit, but that in itself demonstrates the strength of our squad that we’ve done very well without them, two points off top.

Agree with your assessment that when you add some of those in to this team it’s an unbelievable 11 - and hard to argue it’s not the best in the division in my opinion.

A squad also has to have the right players in the right positions and we are short up front.

We have a lot of quality centre backs and attacking midfielders but no Jack Cork player to give us the option of a double pivot with Cullen.

I think like most Clarets a solid season of progression this year to create a good platform and some good business in the market would be good enough this season and is likely required before another crack at the PL.

But the elephant in the room is we all know that failure to achieve promotion this season will likely see more sales next summer.

It puts SP in an invidious position and expectations become too high.

[bobinho]

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.

A bit of sense…

Far too many concentrating on “entertainment” instead of successful football. The two are NOT entwined to the exclusivity of everything else.

Wanna be entertained every week? May I suggest the theatre? Or go to anfield, they are playing some lovely stuff.

The lad needs to be left alone to get on with rebuilding.

In the meantime, I’ll take not losing. Then I’ll take winning. Then I’ll take winning in style. Been watching us regularly since ‘78…. Had my fill of losing football thanks…

[NewClaret]

A squad also has to have the right players in the right positions and we are short up front.

We have a lot of quality centre backs and attacking midfielders but no Jack Cork player to give us the option of a double pivot with Cullen.

I think like most Clarets a solid season of progression this year to create a good platform and some good business in the market would be good enough this season and is likely required before another crack at the PL.

But the elephant in the room is we all know that failure to achieve promotion this season will likely see more sales next summer.

It puts SP in an invidious position and expectations become too high.

Up front - have Sheffield United or Leeds got anything stronger than Foster, Flemming, JRod & Hountondji though?

I wouldn’t swap for Piroe and Bamford I can tell you that now. And I didn’t hear many calls for us to sign Tyrese Campbell in summer either (he’s a good player but also injury prone by the way). I have no idea who they’ve even got beyond that.

Attacking midfielders - if you mean wingers or wide players, I’d agree. I’d say our biggest weakness is no creative 10 though. I think Ramsey and possibly Tresor could do that role. Sarmiento had looked good in it when he’s played. I think we miss JBG hugely though. In my view, that’s the role we need more than a striker.

I’d sell a kidney to get James McAtee in Jan (yes, I know that’s not happening) but that type of player. But per above we probably have the answers within if we could get them fit.

I think Parker has done a good job of rebalancing the squad. I tend to agree that he needs another turn at it and we’re not ready for the premier league, but also your point that it’s now or potentially never so we do have to throw everything at it in my view.

[Jakubclaret]

This does seem to be the case, and I think he has many supporters prepared to give him time, thankfully.

The results are the only thing that's making that possible. A few defeats within a short space of time that would rapidly change as it would with most managers. The only agenda that I can see is that some people are being blindsided regarding the results & are unwilling to accept alternative viewpoints.

[taio]

The results are the only thing that's making that possible. A few defeats within a short space of time that would rapidly change as it would with most managers. The only agenda that I can see is that some people are being blindsided regarding the results & are unwilling to accept alternative viewpoints.

An obvious point about a few defeats in a short period.

I don't believe that those who are prepared to give him time are simply blindsided by the results - I've read many such people acknowledge the performances and entertainment have been lacking, but they believe giving time is important.

[Jakubclaret]

An obvious point about a few defeats in a short period.

I don't believe that those who are prepared to give him time are simply blindsided by the results - I've read many such people acknowledge the performances and entertainment have been lacking, but they believe giving time is important.

Most of us wanted to give kompany time even when we was going down like a lead balloon that worked out well. A reverse twist will surface this time albeit no relegation but no promotion with no compensation. The pattern that's emerged post SD is that whatever the consequences we simply can't afford to sack managers even if it makes sense to.

[taio]

Most of us wanted to give kompany time even when we was going down like a lead balloon that worked out well. A reverse twist will surface this time albeit no relegation but no promotion with no compensation. The pattern that's emerged post SD is that whatever the consequences we simply can't afford to sack managers even if it makes sense to.

Parker and the Board's objective will be promotion.

[Jakubclaret]

Parker and the Board's objective will be promotion.

I don't doubt that I doubt whether that objective will be successful. It's a predictable inquest upon failure swathes of goldfish memories will surface & this discussion will be forgotten. It happens time after time.

[Vegas Claret]

I've read many such people acknowledge the performances and entertainment have been lacking, but they believe giving time is important.

Parker acknowledges it himself and he's not daft. My genuine concern is what we've seen too often is exactly what we've heard from supporters of his previous clubs, my hope/blind faith is that he has learned from those experiences and will make us more progressive . I really like guy and want him to be successful and have longevity with us but for my personal taste in the sport it has to be more entertaining. I'd rather win 5-4 than 1-0

I hope the board can rectify the demise in quality in some positions in January and help him out.

[Raconteur]

I don't believe that those who are prepared to give him time are simply blindsided by the results

I personally think some of them are.
If it wasn't for the results and points total we have, a lot of the people willing to give time wouldn't.

Can you imagine the noise on here or at the grounds this season if we had to sit through some of the performances we have without getting the points we have.
There would be uproar.

[taio]

I don't doubt that I doubt whether that objective will be successful. It's a predictable inquest upon failure swathes of goldfish memories will surface & this discussion will be forgotten. It happens time after time.

While we are still well placed in the league and in contention to be promoted it makes sense for Parker to be backed.

[Jakubclaret]

While we are still well placed in the league and in contention to be promoted it makes sense for Parker to be backed.

For sure 1 of us will be right or wrong let's wait & see I'm pretty sure it'll be forgotten anyway.

[taio]

I personally think some of them are.
If it wasn't for the results and points total we have, a lot of the people willing to give time wouldn't.

Can you imagine the noise on here or at the grounds this season if we had to sit through some of the performances we have without getting the points we have.
There would be uproar.

Of course our points total is having a big influence on those who are backing him.

[Raconteur]

I've read many such people acknowledge the performances and entertainment have been lacking, but they believe giving time is important.

That's due to the points we have. If we took the points away and just had the performances, I think less time would be given.

[Row x]

That's due to the points we have. If we took the points away and just had the performances, I think less time would be given.

What?

[taio]

That's due to the points we have. If we took the points away and just had the performances, I think less time would be given.

Yes, that would obviously be the case. Our league position is very important.

[GetIntoEm]

Seen it all now

We wouldn't be having this same conversation if we had 0 points would we. Don't be daft

[Raconteur]

Of course our points total is having a big influence on those who are backing him.

Apologies for that. I must have misunderstood what you meant. I was sure that I read you thought fans were not blindsided by the results

[Raconteur]

What?

I wasn't talking to you Nori !

[Jakubclaret]

Yes, that would obviously be the case. Our league position is very important.

If that's the case why wasn't our league position as important with kompany when we was pretty much staring down the barrel. It's all finance related we are still in contention on a league position basis but hardly anybodys got any real faith or conviction in promotion.