Papering over the cracks

[Vegas Claret]

I think this is a massive overreaction. Oxford aren't the worst side that's come to the Turf- not even this season, the league table will tell you as much. However we did make them look like it.

Even Derby were better than Oxford, enlighten me - who was worse ?

Secondly I reject the notion that had we scored more today it makes the performance better. If Foster and Flemming take their chances it doesn't make any difference to how we played does it?

No idea what you are on about here

I find it bizarre that you acknowledge we didn't score more due to poor finishing but then blame Parker for not taking off the handbrake. Some will never ever be pleased under this manager that's for sure. One week the result doesn't matter it's the performance, then its the preformance doesn't matter its the result.

So you don't accept or acknowledge that for the entirety of the second half Parker was delighted with the 1-0 ? Maybe watch his post match interviews

[quoonbeatz]

Tonight wasn't good. It was average at best. I agree we started well and it should have been another Plymouth, but our finishing highlighted what we all knew before the transfer window - we need a natural scorer. Then, thankfully, they scored for us and the game ended. The second half was as dull as dishwater. We didn't look to kill the game off, we played to hold onto a 1 nil at home against Oxford.

Tonight was a chance to score goals and build confidence. Oxford were absolutely shocking, rank bad. We didn't even need to press particularly hard and they seemed to melt away (the Sarmiento shot towards the end summed that up!). We should have battered them and put a marker down. We won, which is always great, but it's not the full story, not by a long way.

It was better than average but the rest of this is accurate.

Whenever they’re playing out from the back from a goal kick we had Flemming and Hannibal, plus one of Foster or Anthony folornly pressing with the other 7 outfield players on the halfway line. Might as well leave the front three back there as well for all the use that is. We should be swarming all over teams like that high up the pitch and getting right on top of them.

[Murger]

Not a great watch, again. But we got 3 points, so hopefully it means a change of fortune.

[BleedingClaret]

Really good performance I thought, dominated them. Never in doubt. On to the next one

Really good?

Did you really like Shelley’s long hair too
If your trying to put down other posters who have genuine concerns at least be credible

And you don’t need to call him a cry baby and say his Mummy has sent him to bed that’s not constructive and like play ground stuff

For a bit of context at the end of the game I said to my mate that OG has papered over the cracks a bit

[Poulton-le-Claret]

I thought we were by the far the better team and they didn't lay a glove on us. At times we were passing it around them and they could not get near the ball.

Yes we should have scored a few more chances, but obviously confidence is low in that department and hopefully a win changes that for us.

[BleedingClaret]

It was better than average but the rest of this is accurate.

Whenever they’re playing out from the back from a goal kick we had Flemming and Hannibal, plus one of Foster or Anthony folornly pressing with the other 7 outfield players on the halfway line. Might as well leave the front three back there as well for all the use that is. We should be swarming all over teams like that high up the pitch and getting right on top of them.

I said the same a half hearted press, always a player short so relatively easy to get it to spare man that turns with the ball in challenged
Either mean the press or sit deeper, agreed

[dvalley69]

Really good?

Did you really like Shelley’s long hair too
If your trying to put down other posters who have genuine concerns at least be credible

And you don’t need to call him a cry baby and say his Mummy has sent him to bed that’s not constructive and like play ground stuff

For a bit of context at the end of the game I said to my mate that OG has papered over the cracks a bit

And obviously no credit for the move that created the OG. It was just lucky, I guess...

[BleedingClaret]

And obviously no credit for the move that created the OG. It was just lucky, I guess...

No it was good and the ball across was perfect for an incoming forward, there wasn’t one but the ball in at pace forced the error
But the performance wasn’t really good, was it?

[boyyanno]

I'm not savvy enough to re-quote you like that Vegas

But to answer your points:

You mentioned Leeds or another team beating them by more goals, I don't think more goals makes the preformance any better or worse today- the scoreline was mainly influenced by the chances we missed, we created more than enough (and of very good quality admittedly earlier in the game).

I think the league table suggests there are lots of sides worse than Oxford now and in previous years, I don't need to list all of them. We made them look poor though, there was a clear gulf in quality.

I think Parker was happy winning 1-0 but I think he was mainly happy because we won, kept a clean sheet, and created a lot of goalscoring opportunities. Given the last two are the main criticisms recently I'd say that's a decent job done tonight- I'm surprised to hear people say otherwise.

[GetIntoEm]

No it was good and the ball across was perfect for an incoming forward, there wasn’t one but the ball in at pace forced the error
But the performance wasn’t really good, was it?

Why wasn't it a good performance?

[BleedingClaret]

Why wasn't it a good performance?

It certainly wasn’t really good
It was dominant without really ever catching fire and certainly lacked a cutting edge

[Vegas Claret]

I'm not savvy enough to re-quote you like that Vegas
Don't ask me to explain it

But to answer your points:

You mentioned Leeds or another team beating them by more goals, I don't think more goals makes the preformance any better or worse today- the scoreline was mainly influenced by the chances we missed, we created more than enough (and of very good quality admittedly earlier in the game).

Ok, you've reworded it in a way I understand Yep, that's fair

I think the league table suggests there are lots of sides worse than Oxford now and in previous years, I don't need to list all of them. We made them look poor though, there was a clear gulf in quality.

I don't look at the table tbh, i just look at the game and I'm struggling to remember a side create less against us at the Turf that's all

I think Parker was happy winning 1-0 but I think he was mainly happy because we won, kept a clean sheet, and created a lot of goalscoring opportunities. Given the last two are the main criticisms recently I'd say that's a decent job done tonight- I'm surprised to hear people say
otherwise.

My only real gripe with Parker (and for the record I had it with VK and Dyche) is that once we had lost momentum in the second half he did nothing to try and let us regain it. He took Hannibal off before he got sent off, Sarmiento sadly is offering us very little. I'm just frustrated because I truly believe that we can get far better out of these lads for longer periods in games and we aren't seeing it. Maybe I should care less

[Bullabill]

Re. Hannibal,

Like I say had to watch it on tv ,but Phil Bird was raving how wonderful he was given a free role and certainly gives us more impetuous ,

Impetuous?? He's certainly that! Too much really.

[Spike]

18 games undefeated !

[TheFamilyCat]

Tonight wasn't good. It was average at best. I agree we started well and it should have been another Plymouth, but our finishing highlighted what we all knew before the transfer window - we need a natural scorer. Then, thankfully, they scored for us and the game ended. The second half was as dull as dishwater. We didn't look to kill the game off, we played to hold onto a 1 nil at home against Oxford.

Tonight was a chance to score goals and build confidence. Oxford were absolutely shocking, rank bad. We didn't even need to press particularly hard and they seemed to melt away (the Sarmiento shot towards the end summed that up!). We should have battered them and put a marker down. We won, which is always great, but it's not the full story, not by a long way.

To be honest, I think we'd all take 15 more one-nils from here.

[CoolClaret]

SP of course. You do know he's the one who tells them to put the ball in the net! Or is it the shackles he puts on them so they can't score goals?

Ahh of course, how daft of me! That bloody Parker....

[Lew200100]

Yet again it was very very boring. Yes we won and won easily due to this division being very poor and us having a far superior team. I say team but in reality we have a very good central midfield and extremely good centre back pairing and a good goalkeeper.

Our wingers well I suppose Anthony you would class as a right winger but not sure what Foster is meant to be doing and watching him I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.

We need Benson back or Edwards in and someone more creative in the central area. That role would be Shelvey when fit. Cullen is fantastic and Laurent is good but neither will ever be defence splitting midfielders with balls. Egan Riley makes it look easy yet our midfielders are very good at ball retention but rubbish at opening up defences.

[dvalley69]

Ahh of course, how daft of me! That bloody Parker....

That's the M/Puppet!!

[Milltown1882]

2015/2016 Andre scores a hat trick in that game btw but we don’t need a striker.

[dvalley69]

Yet again it was very very boring. Yes we won and won easily due to this division being very poor and us having a far superior team. I say team but in reality we have a very good central midfield and extremely good centre back pairing and a good goalkeeper.

Our wingers well I suppose Anthony you would class as a right winger but not sure what Foster is meant to be doing and watching him I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.

We need Benson back or Edwards in and someone more creative in the central area. That role would be Shelvey when fit. Cullen is fantastic and Laurent is good but neither will ever be defence splitting midfielders with balls. Egan Riley makes it look easy yet our midfielders are very good at ball retention but rubbish at opening up defences.

Jesus, you analyse us as though we're comparing up with the great Barca/Man City teams of the day... we have our limitations, but we can only compare against who we're facing and we're currenly 2nd. Not too shabby really. Why do we need Benson back? He was only ever a super sub and mainly useless as a starter. Edwards we'll have to wait and see before judging.

[Vegas Claret]

Jesus, you analyse us as though we're comparing up with the great Barca/Man City teams of the day... we have our limitations, but we can only compare against who we're facing and we're currenly 2nd. Not too shabby really. Why do we need Benson back? He was only ever a super sub and mainly useless as a starter. Edwards we'll have to wait and see before judging.

Second and we've only played really well a handful of times. If we could get it going going forward we would walk promotion this season. Needs to happen very quickly now though, hopefully Edwards can add that bit of magic we miss.

[Vegas Claret]

2015/2016 Andre scores a hat trick in that game btw but we don’t need a striker.

You saw again tonight with Flemming why he is a number 10, just that split second too late to react like someone like a Gray would do. I wish we would have gone in for Armstrong from Saints, exactly what we needed.

[Tackler49]

Should we let the FA Cup go and keep everyone fit for Hull i don’t think Saints will field a full strength side has they need league points too,i know a win is a win but surely league points and a fit and rested team for Hull is more important ,SP can have a look at Shelvey,Edwards,Banal & Sonne in a game like this, it’s just a thought am i wrong?

[bumba]

One point off averaging two points per game, which guarantees promotion.

Doesn't guarantee anything

[Clive 1960]

Should we let the FA Cup go and keep everyone fit for Hull i don’t think Saints will field a full strength side has they need league points too,i know a win is a win but surely league points and a fit and rested team for Hull is more important ,SP can have a look at Shelvey,Edwards,Banal & Sonne in a game like this, it’s just a thought am i wrong?

play team similar to what played against Reading with the new signing or and Tresor as he only plays cup games..

[UpTheClaretsFCBK]

First defeat in 10 for Oxford United by the way.

[UpTheClaretsFCBK]

One point off averaging two points per game, which guarantees promotion.

We need to stop with this rhetoric, two points a game may not guarantee promotion. Leicester City and Ipswich first top 2 last season with 97, and 96 points.

[Big Vinny K]

Second and we've only played really well a handful of times.

Wow - how big are your hands ?

[California Colner]

I've had faith since the 80s mate and I'll be getting up at 4:30am to watch us play PNE, it's the hope that kills you !

And so will I

[Spijed]

We need to stop with this rhetoric, two points a game may not guarantee promotion. Leicester City and Ipswich first top 2 last season with 97, and 96 points.

91 points would have been enough for both Leicester and Ipswich to get promoted last season, less than two points per game.

[jlup1980]

So if it was 'average at best' but 'should have been another Plymouth', who is that on?

It was good for about 30 minutes, which should have set the tone for the remainder. However, we reverted to type after the goal, meaning the other 60 minutes was poor. That's why it was average overall for me. The further the game went on, the more evident it was that we had no intention of pushing for a second goal to kill the game off. We all wanted pragmatism after VK, but there are levels.

[jlup1980]

To be honest, I think we'd all take 15 more one-nils from here.

I'm not sure I can handle watching another 15 games like last night. I really hope Edwards has something about him!

[agreenwood]

Thought we played pretty well. Created plenty of chances first half. We ran out of steam in the second half, but still created a few openings.

I agree with observations about the atmosphere. It felt almost like they’ve given up on this team. You’d normally associate that level of apathy or sarcasm in a crowd with a relegation season. The “we scored a goal” chant pretty much summed up.

I hate describing Burnley fans as entitled and I know the football hasn’t been great, but it’s hard to square with what’s going on amongst the fanbase with us being 18 unbeaten, 2nd in league and fielding a historically brilliant defensive line.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

It was good for about 30 minutes, which should have set the tone for the remainder. However, we reverted to type after the goal, meaning the other 60 minutes was poor. That's why it was average overall for me. The further the game went on, the more evident it was that we had no intention of pushing for a second goal to kill the game off. We all wanted pragmatism after VK, but there are levels.

We had four really good chances in the 2nd half two from Foster, Egan Reilly run and Sarmiento had a good effort saved so we we hardly had no intention of going for a 2nd. I don’t really recall Oxford being in our box after the corner in the first minute.

[Pikehillclaret]

The worry for the club will be the low attendances , only 11900 on last night

weather was crap and a Tuesday , but still very low 6k no shows

[what_no_pies]

Irrespective of your feelings on the general themes of this thread it's hard to deny that a goalscorer would likely have hit the ground running last night.

A convincing win and a couple of goals for the new man would have given the players and fans a huge lift and filled us with confidence and excitement for the run in.

This thread highlights the apathy that lingers here instead.

[Dark Cloud]

Every now and again, in this season of almost perpetual goalessness, we suddenly produce a performance like last night. Whether it's due to the opposition and the way they set up, or whether it's us suddenly clicking I'm not sure, but we couldn't complain about the lack of intent last night, or about the lack of genuine chances and opportunities we created, only about our inability to actually put said chances away and win at a canter. That however, has got to be a step in the right direction surely. The only problem is that when it's happened before, it's always been a game in isolation and we haven't gone on to do it consistently. We'll see what next Wednesday brings!!

[Woodleyclaret]

A scuffy 1-0 but these results against a team intent on a draw win you titles. It was a hard fought , well deserved win and but for the excellent Oxford keeper we would have scored a hatful

[jrgbfc]

The worry for the club will be the low attendances , only 11900 on last night

weather was crap and a Tuesday , but still very low 6k no shows

Where have you seen the "actual crowd" figure? I saw people struggling to give tickets away on social media yesterday.

[bobinho]

We’ve absolutely walloped them. On another day, it’s 5-0 at half time.

Only thing that stopped that happening was good saves, good blocks, and not enough composure in front of goal.

Had we not made any clear cut chances, I’d be worried, but we made plenty.

Good performance that.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Really not sure what all the fuss is about from last night. For me that’s how we should be playing, and if we play like that in all our remaining home games we have an excellent chance of promotion. Some days everything goes for you (Plymouth) the other week. Other times you scrape through and wonder how you haven’t scored more. We had more than enough chances last night, and I’m sure if we continue to create like that it’s a matter of time before the goals come.

The one worry for me after last night is Flemming. He’s done great away, but at home his confidence looks shot. Telling that he didn’t have another attempt at goal after his 2 early efforts. We may not have a prolific striker at this level, but I think Foster is the better option once Edwards is in the team.

[Walton]

91 points would have been enough for both Leicester and Ipswich to get promoted last season, less than two points per game.

If us, Sheffield United and Leeds all pick up 2 points per game from now until the season, what does that look like?

[Colburn_Claret]

I've been sick of the football the last 3 months, and imo SP was on his last chance, but last night he delivered.
When their keeper made 6 saves, and we put at least 4 sitters wide or over, then we played a good game.
A shame about the finishing, but it happens, and if we continue to play like last night the goals will come, and our chances of promotion soar.
It has to be kept up though.

[Luppy]

Another three points thanks to OG. Lot more promising signs in early stages of attack but plenty of awful final balls and inability to test the keeper.

People said all window we need a striker and tonight’s a classic example of why they were saying that.

Inability to test the keeper??

If ever there’s a post that confirms someone didn’t go to the game, here it is…….

The only papering over cracks going on is the goals Flemming has scored suggesting he can play as a number 9 - the sooner we accept he can’t, the better we will be

[Spijed]

If us, Sheffield United and Leeds all pick up 2 points per game from now until the season, what does that look like?

Who knows, but that scenario has never happened where three teams have got so many points.

That's why no team prior to this season has ever failed to get promoted when they have got 92 points or more.

[Stalbansclaret]

We’ve absolutely walloped them. On another day, it’s 5-0 at half time.

Only thing that stopped that happening was good saves, good blocks, and not enough composure in front of goal.

Had we not made any clear cut chances, I’d be worried, but we made plenty.

Good performance that.

This.
Some of the negative comments on this board are beyond belief. We all know we have frustratingly struggled to score …this is our current issue and I’m sure, particularly after watching us last night, that Parker and the players are acutely aware of this and the need to find a solution. As a fan I’m looking forward to seeing how we do.
This is against a context of being 2nd in the table , 2 defeats all season , 9 goals conceded all season (incredible) and 9 consecutive clean sheets (also incredible).
It’s football for goodness sake, not some kind of personal happiness-pod where you get everything you want all the time. Get on board, try and enjoy the ride and have done kind of adult perspective rather than whining like 5-year olds because they haven’t got the Christmas presents they wanted.

[CJ_Claret]

Game of 2 halves really - we absolutely battered Oxford in the 1st half and as many said should have been out of sight at half time, a kin to the Plymouth game. 2nd half was more frustrating to watch, the miss placed passes and poor decision making did make it painful to watch at times. But that said, we were in total control of that came and Oxford only had one opportunity on goal that I remember.

Yes our problem is being clinical in front of goal but Papering over the Cracks, I think not.

[Sozturf7]

Papering over. o dear I'd better not say it.

[Clovius Boofus]

This.
Some of the negative comments on this board are beyond belief.

Unfortunately, this isn't going to change, unless we start walloping teams in a Fifa-esque manner on a weekly basis.

Yeah, and I know we've had some dull games this season, but last night was far from dull. We played well and were a joy to watch, yet the same old moaning continues. Second in the table as well.
I know the moaners don't like it when people say we have become entitled, however, this is what it is, and you know what, it's highly embarrassing. I always thought that particular 'accolade' was justifiably aimed at other clubs, not ours.

[claretspice]

I thought broadly, up until we scored we were very good (although we had a particular purple patch from 15-25 minutes and as is often the way, Oxford had made the game slightly more even as we scored!). After we scored though, not for the first time this season our intensity dropped and we didn't quite get on the front foot in the same way again. In the second half whilst we forced saves, they were mostly from range and we didn't create the sort of chances inside the 6 yard box we should have done for our possession given our obvious superiority. Once again, with a bit more willingness to put the ball at risk and play forwards rather than slowing the game down and going sideways and backwards, we might of overwhelmed a team and we didn't. In the end we found ourselves not hanging on, but having to manage a game to the final whistle when we should have been comfortable long before the final whistle.

When the intensity drops on the field, it inevitably drops in the stands and frustration builds and that was apparent again last night. One those relatively rare occasions in the second half when we raised the intensity - Egan Riley's run, Foster's two or three runs, and so on - the crowd responded, as they did to Shelvey's willingness to play an ambitious forwards pass once he came on. But there wasn't enough of it and too much of the game was managerial and like supporters at Fulham and Bournemouth before us, Burnley fans are finding this a bit wearing. We can be better.