Burnley v Sunderland - Player Ratings

[CrosspoolClarets]

Trafford - 10
Roberts - 7
CJ - 7
Esteve - 9
Humphreys - 6
Cullen - 6
Laurent - 5
Brownhill - 5
Anthony - 7
Flemming - 4
Foster - 6

Sarmiento - 5

A game lacking guile and as ever nobody capable of making an assist. Tresor absence to come on for last 10 deeply frustrating. Trafford heroics stole a point we looked set to lose. Ref gifted them a pen and denied us one but in truth Sunderland were the most likely since Flemming missed his great chance on 47.

I felt we settled for a draw, which is what I hate about Parker, and that mentality nearly led to defeat. Too much turning back from goal, heck even our false 9. A bit more intent we win that game.

Gor to improve for top 2 finish.

Won’t change my score but after a 2 hour drive home and a quick look at the Sky recording I did CJ a disservice not knowing he made that top class block at the end to save the game. That would have made the score an 8.

I also didn’t rate Sonne but if I had I’d now be commenting that the 2nd wasn’t a penalty either. Sonne was motionless when their guy trod on his thigh and fell over it.

Also, something else I didn’t see from the JHU, Isildor at the end was in absolute bits so well done our players consoling him, real class, that reaction from Isildor says to me, Sunderland know now that it is likely to be playoffs, I’m not sure they believe now.

[Boroclaret]

Trafford 10 - 2 great penalty saves. Need to be faster with distribution though.
Roberts 7 - Suprised he was subbed, could have done better with his chance.
Esteve 9 - Too good.
Egan-Riley 8 - Solid again. Foul outside the box for the 1st penalty.
Humphries 6 - Poor going forward, and poor on build up to 1st penalty, has to take man and ball.
Cullen 5 - Never got us going. Too many back and sideways passes allowed them to press us higher
Browhill 5 - Poor. Not one or the other in terms of supporting Flemming or adding a body in midfield.
Laurent - 4 - Offered zero. Not the player to break lines or get on the front foot.
Anthony 6 - 1st 20 mins he roasted the full back everytime, then we stopped passing him the ball and he never got into the game.
Foster 6 - Some nice drives forward and trying to link it all up. 2nd half came too narrow which killed Humphries.
Flemming 3 - Atrocious. Missed a volley from 8 yards and then was top busy trying to claim a foul to run onto a tap in 10 mins later. Couldn't hold the ball or link anything. Amazed he stayed on as long as he did.

Sarmiento - 4 Forgot he came on

[strayclaret]

Trafford 10
Roberts 6
Egan-Riley 9
Estève 8
Humphreys 6
Cullen 7
Laurent 6
Anthony 7
Brownhill 6
Foster 6
Flemming 5

Sarmiento 5
Despite Traffords heroic performance in the last 5 minutes, it doesn’t paper over the cracks over 70 minutes after our dominance in the first 20, that it was again slow slow, slow slow, slow. With too much sideways and backwards.

[bfcmik]

Trafford 10*
Roberts 6
E-R 7
Estève 7
Humphreys 6
Cullen 7
Laurent 6
Brownhill 7
Anthony 4 (absolutely awful after a decent 1st 15 minutes)
Foster 6
Flemming 5

Sarmiento 6

[maidenover]

Trafford 9* some scary stuff with the short passing but still MoM for the penalty saves
Roberts 5 Worked hard, but thought his passing was off tonight
Egan-Riley 8 Imperious
Esteve 8 Imperious
Humphreys 5 Not Bash’s best showing, struggled second half
Cullen 7 Solid as usual
Laurent 6 steady enough, seemed to tire near end
Brownhill 5 Off key tonight - maybe discussing transfer somewhere?
Anthony 7 Bright start but faltered
Foster 7 Some nice touches including setting Antony up
Flemming 5 Not at the races tonight but should have got the penalty awarded

Sarmiento 5 Ineffective; should have thrown Barnes on to rough ‘em up a bit

[RammyClaret61]

CER in post match interview. “The referee has had a bad game”!

Fine incoming??

[DefourFiveSix]

Trafford- 10 - wow

Roberts- 6 - always excellent at this level but quiet by his standards
Egan-Riley - 7 - another clean sheet despite best effort of the ref
Esteve - 8 - oozes class
Humphreys - 6 - solid as ever

Cullen - 7 - was worried he was injured early on, we don't have a replacement for what he does
Laurent - 5 - not his usual imposing self
Brownhill - 3 - still in Dubai

Anthony - 6 - bright start but faded as he so often does
Foster - 6 - potential for him out there, carries the ball well. Needs games
Flemming - 4 - really need more from him as an outlet

Sarmiento - 5
Sonne - 5
Koleosho - 5

Thought if you take away the excitement of the last 10 minutes that was another really poor home performance. After the first penalty save we should have rallied and had a right go at them to finish the game with the crowd up but instead we copy and paste what we've been doing all game and nearly lost it. We just don't seem capable of putting teams under sustained periods of pressure at the Turf.

[agreenwood]

Trafford - 10 - What else can you give a GK who saves two late penalties? His mentality was on full display from the top end shithousery to the two crucial saves. That’s why big clubs keep being linked with him.

Roberts - 5 - Not sure if he was injured or knackered, but he looked like he was running in treacle all night to me.

Humphreys - 6 - Solid enough defensively, but not up to his recent standards in terms of helping us in possession.

Esteve - 8 - A few minor wobbles and loose passes, but largely his usual imperious self.

Egan-Reilly - 8 - Some sublime long passing, generally rock solid and a crucial block in injury time that was arguably as important as the penalty saves.

Cullen - 7 - Did his job mostly well, but looked tired towards the end and that coincided with us really struggling to build anything.

Brownhill - 5 - Extra point for the knock back header for the Flemming chance, because otherwise he was very poor.

Laurent - 5 - Struggled physically with the young talent Sunderland had around him all night and, like Brownhill, looked way off the technical standard required to influence a top end Championship game.

Anthony - 6 - Bright start and probably our main chance of creating something, but his final ball repeatedly let him down.

Foster - 6 - Thought he looked effective driving with the ball off the left first half and I’d like to see that experiment continue. Faded when moved to the centre.

Flemming - 5 - Fluffed our most presentable opening of the evening and never really gave us the focal point we needed get us up the pitch.

Sarmiento - 5 - Flattered to deceive again.

We started the game very brightly and looked dangerous for about 20 mins. Sunderland then stepped onto us and we struggled to move the ball vertically. Without a target man to hold up longer balls or any genuine pace to threaten in behind, we were largely spent as an attacking force for most of the last 70 mins, Flemming’s chance aside.

Sunderland look a very good side packed with players who’ll probably have careers in the top tiers. However, they also only created one decent chance until the first penalty was awarded and we then ended up clinging on for dear life.

Generally I thought we looked absolutely knackered for large spells of the game. I’m not sure how some of the players used their “time off” post-Blackburn, but it needs looking at for similar scenarios in fututre.

[Dark Cloud]

Trafford 9 (Ashley Barnes esque shithousery and if the ref is soft enough and daft enough to let him get away with it, then why not!? Especially as the first penalty isn't even a penalty!)
Roberts 7
Egan Riley 9
Esteve 9
Humphreys 6
Cullen 8
Laurent 7
Brownhill 5 (Poor stuff from this Josh)
Anthony 9 (He was excellent, but was knackered last 20 minutes)
Foster 7
Flemming 3 (Oh dear. For performances in a Burnley shirt that's got to be up there with worst I've ever seen. George Weah's cousin could do better than that!!)

Sarmiento 5
Koleosho 5

I actually thought we played pretty well for much of the first half and part of the second. Sunderland tbf, came to press us and didn't sit back. They're strong and physical, but also skilful and well organised. Not for the first time our talented players struggled at times against their greater physical strength. Anthony was excellent and tbf does everything right when put through in the first half and it's a great save. Flemming capped his hapless display with an utterly dreadful miss when it looked easier to score. What happened mid way through the second half I really don't know, but we suddenly became disjointed, jittery, error strewn all over the place and Sunderland battered us for the last 20 minutes and to say we were desperately clinging on is an understatement. Yet another strange game in a season of strange games and I've still absolutely no idea how it's all going to end up! All I do know is my heart can't take it!

[Row x]

Those knocking a point off Trafford for "slowing" the game down, I take it you realise it's the tactics set out by the manager and coaches, and not Trafford forgetting everything they've practiced all week and going off on his own tactics?.

And well done to those behind the goal in the first half booing the players when it was happening, then cheering and clapping when a ball is played long.

[bumba]

Trafford 7 got an extra point with the two saves, poor game up until those
Roberts 6
Humphreys 7
Esteve 8
CJER 7
Laurent 6
Cullen 7
Brownhill 6
Flemming 5
Anthony 5
Foster 7

Sarmiento 5
Sonne 5

[Poulton-le-Claret]

JT - 10 He didn't have a great overall game, but if you don't get a 10 for saving 2 penalties, then you may as well get rid of it as an available score, because that is 'out if this world'.
Roberts - 7
CJ - 8
Esteve 9
Humphreys - 6
Cullen - 7
Laurent - 6
Brownhill - 6
Anthony - 7
Flemming - 5
Foster - 7

Sarmiento - 5
Sonne - 5

[helmclaret]

Trafford 10
Roberts 6
Egan-Riley 9
Estève 8
Humphreys 6
Cullen 7
Laurent 6
Anthony 7
Brownhill 5
Foster 6
Flemming 4

Sarmiento 5

[claretspice]

Those knocking a point off Trafford for "slowing" the game down, I take it you realise it's the tactics set out by the manager and coaches, and not Trafford forgetting everything they've practiced all week and going off on his own tactics?.

And well done to those behind the goal in the first half booing the players when it was happening, then cheering and clapping when a ball is played long.

I don't have any problem with the tactic and even if I did I wouldn't blame Trafford for it. We just didn't execute it well enough last night against a good aggressive press. Firstly we over did it and werent selective enough about when it was on and when not (at one point in the first half Parker clearly told Humphreys that we needed to be more pragmatic). And secondly the passing was on occasions just a bit sloppy. If you are going to play short passes very deep under pressure, the passes have to be perfect - not bobbling, not requiring the recipient to check stride or stretch or take a touch to control it. That costs split seconds that get you closed down and too often I thought Traffords short passing crossed beyond calm and confident to being a bit sloppy. When he did go long it tended to be rushed and so more aimless than it needed to be as a result of initial Sunderland pressure. Humphreys had a go at him at one point.

But the two penalty saves were magnificent. World class. And I'm pleased for him because he took a lot of undeserved stick last season.

[the_magic_rat]

Trafford 9 MOM

Roberts 6
Egan-Riley 7
Esteve 7
Humphreys 7

Cullen 7
Laurent 7
Brownhill 6

Foster 7
Flemming 6
Anthony 8

Sarmiento 6
Sonne 6

[Buxtonclaret]

Trafford 9 ***
Roberts 6
E-R 9
Esteve 8
Humphreys 6
Cullen 7
Laurent 6
Anthony 7
Brownhill 6
Foster 6
Flemming 5

Sarmiento 5

[Hipper]

From Live TV.

Trafford - 10 - MoM - It has to be. Whilst he didn’t do anything special for most of the match those two excellent penalty saves, the second even better then the first, got us a point. I also thought he made the correct decision to come out and intercept Isidor. A less tolerant referee though would have given him a yellow for his first bit of penalty play acting with the whatever the consequences of that would be later in the match.

Roberts - 7 - Dealt with quite impressive debutant Le Fee pretty well and got into our attacks too. Not sure why he was subbed.

Egan-Riley - 8 - Pretty solid although struggled with Isidor. Superb block for the late Mayenda effort. Some good long passing too.

Esteve - 5 - Showed his limitations today. Isidor was Sunderland’s main threat and he couldn’t deal with it. Four times Isidor had good opportunities from his failings - The shirt pulling in the penalty area, Trafford’s attempted intervention, and the two shots, over and against the post. It should have cost us the match.

Humphries - 9 - Superb performance defensively and on the wing, and a mild threat in the penalty area too. He’ll get a goal soon. What a talent.

Brownhill - 6 - Worked hard and some good interplay but no goal threat.

Laurent - 7 - Roamed all over the pitch using his height, skill and reading of the game.

Cullen - 6 - OK but not at his best.

Anthony - 8 - Our main attacking threat. Some good movement, crosses but modest goal threat.

Flemming - 5 - As always a tough job but despite his effort he’s not up to it. Should have done much better then slicing it wide with our best move of the match and was too static when good crosses came in (not the only one).

Foster - 7 - Worked hard, some neat interceptions and control, a wild shot after a trade mark drive forward but no real goal threat. However I expect more as he gets back to playing regularly.

Subs:

Sarmiento - 5 - Tries hard enough but still offers little.

Others not on long enough:

Sonne - Not sure of the point of this sub but did OK.

Koleosho - Little attacking effect but showed why he and not Tresor is on the bench with his keenness to defend.

Barnes - Against Reading he looked fit. Would it not have been better to replace Flemming earlier with him?

What an extraordinary ending to an interesting match! I’ve no doubt that and the referee’s performance will be discussed elsewhere.

Sunderland are the best team we’ve played since we found our current style of play and they showed our limitations. They should have won, not only because of the penalties but because in Isidor they had the only person who really looked capable of scoring a goal. The fact that he didn’t was down to fortune. His effort over should have been better but his shot against the post was a whisker away. He could have got a penalty from the Esteve/shirt pulling incident too and of course he was away from Egan-Riley and onto goal when he went down. We couldn’t handle him. We on the other hand had some neat interplay and created some OK chances but had no-one capable of finishing with quality. Couple that with today’s defensive frailty against a very good forward and it means there is a lot more work to be done to get this side promoted.

[JohnMac]

Trafford 9**
Roberts 7
CJ 8
Esteve 9
Humphreys 7
Cullen 7
Laurent 6
Brownhill 6
Anthony 6
Foster 6
Flemming 6

Sarmiento 5

[Folkestoneclaret]

Trafford 9 would have been 10 but we take so much time and intensity out of the game with all this dithering with distribution
Roberts 7
Egan Riley 8
Esteve 8
Humphreys 7
Cullen 7
Brownhill 6
Laurent 6
Anthony 5
Flemming 5
Foster 8 I thought he was excellent but starved because we kept trying to release Anthony who had been congested out of it.

Subs:
Sarmiento 6
Sonne 6

[Ric_C]

A game where we started well and finished awfully. It is becoming a bit of a concern that in a lot of games, when the subs come on it seems to totally ruin our rhythm. We were awful in the last 15 for some reason.

Trafford 10 - Can't give him anything else. Effectively gained us 3 points against Sunderland with the swing.
Roberts 6 - Looked a bit off it. Got roasted a few times.
Esteve 9 - Class
Egan-Riley 8 - Some great passing once again. Oh for a fast number 9 to get on the end of his raking passes.
Humphries 6 - Offered nothing going forward, did ok I suppose.
Cullen 7 - Solid
Browhill 5 - Looked like he was miles off it. Seems like the trip to Dubai had the opposite effect on him.
Laurent - 5 - A yard off the pace all night. Would drop him for Hannibal when he's back.
Anthony 6 - Some good bits, some average. Looks like our main threat which is deeply concerning.
Foster 6 - Did ok considering it was his first full appearance at this level for some time.
Flemming 4 - Still not sure what type of player he is. Was shocking unfortunately and should have come off a lot earlier

Sarmiento - 4 - Did nothing. Seems to be a common theme from him at the moment.
Sonne - 5 Bit harsh to rate him down based on the pen, but here we are.

A point gained against a good side. We really need help at the top end of the pitch, otherwise it is the play offs for us.

[Claret Toni]

Trafford 9 - Dwells on the ball too much for my liking and very nearly caught out by it in the 1st half, but lack of movement up front doubtless a contributory factor. However 2 penalty saves (and they were decent penalties) is exceptional.
Roberts 6 - Up against their "world beater" winger and generally looked after him well, although got good support from Anthony. Poor effort on goal in the 1st half.
Humphreys 7 - Got up and down the pitch well, also against a lively winger.
Egan Riley 8 - Very good, outstanding block at the end and unlucky to concede a penalty for a trip outside the box (in my view).
Esteve 7 - As always looks a Rolls Royce of a player but, on reflection they had too many good chances and I think he was culpable.
Cullen 6 - Generally moved the ball well but, unusually, a few poor passes surrendering possession.
Laurent 7 - A physical presence in the middle tonight, played well.
Brownhill 5 - Anonymous, and when he did get on the ball, touch wasn't good.
Anthony 7 - Looked the man most likely to create something and took a few tackles, that should have been seen as fouls. Good strike in the 1st half where the keeper made a good save.
Foster 6 - A bit rusty after missing so much of the season, but wins headers up top (which nobody else seems to do consistently). Good driving runs and set up Anthony from one of them.
Flemming 5 - Not his position and in the Meaphen's pocket. Regularly beaten to the ball and when he did get it, lost possession too easily.

[GetIntoEm]

Those knocking a point off Trafford for "slowing" the game down, I take it you realise it's the tactics set out by the manager and coaches, and not Trafford forgetting everything they've practiced all week and going off on his own tactics?.

And well done to those behind the goal in the first half booing the players when it was happening, then cheering and clapping when a ball is played long.

Was the same near me, people busting a blood vessel over short secure passes, soon as we boot it long they cheer, including one that went into touch and gave them the ball back. Same ones who just shout GET IT FORWARD or moan when there's a backwards pass from a player surrounded by opposition.

They pay their money, they are entitled to opinions, but I'd get another hobby if it winds you up that much

[Jacko]

Trafford 10
Roberts 7
Egan-Riley 8
Estève 7
Humphreys 6
Cullen 7
Laurent 5
Anthony 6
Brownhill 5
Foster 5
Flemming 5

[Conroy92]

Trafford 10
Roberts 7
Egan-Riley 8
Estève 8
Humphreys 7
Cullen 6
Laurent 7
Anthony 7
Brownhill 5
Foster 6
Flemming 5

[Goliath]

Was the same near me, people busting a blood vessel over short secure passes, soon as we boot it long they cheer, including one that went into touch and gave them the ball back. Same ones who just shout GET IT FORWARD or moan when there's a backwards pass from a player surrounded by opposition.

They pay their money, they are entitled to opinions, but I'd get another hobby if it winds you up that much

Yep really daft. Sunderland were doing a good job of pressing us and Trafford was just trying to stick to the game plan. Otherwise we resort to aimlessly hoofing it upfield which we aren't set up for and giving up possession.
The problem in all honesty is we haven't come across many good presses like that and we probably didn't have the individual ability to find solutions for it and in all honesty I think we looked scared of conceding.

I think the defensive record could become a bit of a problem, similar to when Arsenal's invincible started drawing a lot at the end of the season because they were scared to lose

[Vino blanco]

From tv
Trafford 8 I was going to give him a 6 for his slow, erratic passing and lack of command in the area. However, his two penalty saves were special and earned us an undeserved point. He is a young keeper with talent and potential but he is miles away from being a Pope or a Heaton. I wasn’t happy to see his faffing around during the penalties and his yellow card was belatedly deserved.
Roberts 6 he seemed a bit lethargic yesterday
CJ 8 fabulous defensive display, bettered only by his cb partner
Esteve 9 my mom for his dominant 90 minute display. I know he won’t win mom for obvious reasons but a match lasts 90 minutes and he didn’t put a foot wrong
Humphreys 7 good both defending and attacking but his constant running tired him in the last 15 mins
Laurent 5 too slow in thought and action yesterday
Cullen 7 kept the ball in motion without being decisive
Brownhill 5 never got going, at the moment he has good games followed by average ones
Anthony 6 he had a tremendous first 20 minutes and was our main attacking outlet, then he went back to his over casual self where his final ball is poor
Flemming 6 no service from the wings or midfield
Foster 7 some very good runs in the first half but I’d prefer to see him as the number 9 with Flemming playing off him.
Saramiento 5 I’m not convinced he will be a starting eleven player

We had a cracking first twenty minutes where we played some dominant football. Unfortunately Sunderland got wise to what we were doing and took over midfield. We were poor in the second half with our midfield being overrun and we had no plan B: our overall game plan is still too slow in getting the ball forward with too many backward passes and passes going behind the man rather than forwards into space. We were fortunate to get a point at home (as has happened far too often this season).

[IanMcL]

Trafford 8 1 off for poor distribution throughout and 1 for embarrassing time wasting. 2 added for pen saves.
Roberts 7
Egan-Riley 7
Esteve 9 excellent defending
Humphreys 6
Cullen 6
Brownhill 6
Laurent 5
Anthony 7
Foster 6
Flemming 5

Sarmiento 5

[AlargeClaret]

Trafford 10-2 pen saves incredible
Roberts 6- usual foul tempered display , not his day really .
Egan-Riley 8- this guy gets better all the time
Estève 7- Usal commanding show by Steve
Humphreys 6- pretty restricted though good defensively
Cullen 7
Laurent 6- bit underwhelmed by JL though steady enough
Anthony 6 great start but player who really needs supply
Brownhill 5- overun and chasing shadows
Foster 6- bright start great run and pass but weak 2nd half , should improve though .
Flemming 4- not his day

Sarmiento 5 Barely involved , needs to start really

[pauliopaulio]

They pay their money, they are entitled to opinions, but I'd get another hobby if it winds you up that much

Whilst I’m not going to get a new hobby I told myself pretty much the same thing last night. I was getting more angry as the game went on due to constant priority of ball retention over ambition. Had to have a word with myself to just accept that this is how we play now and there’s minimal point getting angry with it.

In my mind though there is no doubt that the crab football sucks the energy out of the crowd.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Whilst I’m not going to get a new hobby I told myself pretty much the same thing last night. I was getting more angry as the game went on due to constant priority of ball retention over ambition. Had to have a word with myself to just accept that this is how we play now and there’s minimal point getting angry with it.

In my mind though there is no doubt that the crab football sucks the energy out of the crowd.

This was the thing that wound me up too, at times retaining the ball for retaining sake, it is anti-football more than anything Dyche was accused of. Pep has a lot to answer for.

What I’d like is for us to trust this so called best ever Championship defence a bit more and try to win some of these matches that we seem scared to lose, because it comes across as fear to me.

May be the tactics needed in the PL if we ever return, but even then we will need goals from somewhere too.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

This was the thing that wound me up too, at times retaining the ball for retaining sake, it is anti-football more than anything Dyche was accused of. Pep has a lot to answer for.

What I’d like is for us to trust this so called best ever Championship defence a bit more and try to win some of these matches that we seem scared to lose, because it comes across as fear to me.

May be the tactics needed in the PL if we ever return, but even then we will need goals from somewhere too.

Exactly the same it’s infuriating watching us from a goal kick pass it along the by line and play whoever receives it into trouble also it’s the slowness of it all. Obviously it’s what they do all week in training but it’s tedious to watch.