Burnley v Leicester - Player Ratings

[Claretmatt4]

I thought Barnes really gave Huth and Morgan a tough night. His physicality partnered with Gray's speed completely did them in. He was pivotal to our attacking threats and I definitely think he softened them up for Vokes.

I agree he missed a couple of opportunities to play Gray in, but he also had some really nice touches and helped hold the ball up and bring others into play.

As you say, all about opinions but I think Barnes was much better than a 5 and he was a big factor in how we set up and we're able to bully them

[jlup1980]

Anyone giving Barnes a 5 for last night clearly missed the point of his role. He gave Huth and Morgan a torrid night in the air, on the deck and with his "physicality"! I thought he was outstanding, as they all were, but he was key to this victory. The backbone of the team was truly exceptional. Barton and Hendrick - just wow! Hendrick gets better with each game and Barton put in one of THE greatest centre mid performances I've seen in a Burnley shirt. Did he lose a tackle or a header all night? Did he misplace a single pass? Phenomenal.

Heaton 7
Lowton 8
Keane 9
Mee 9
Ward 8
Boyd 8
Barton 10*
Hendrick 9
Defour 7
Barnes 9
Gray 8

Arfield 7
Vokes 7
Tarks N/A

[starting_11]

Yes but you gave Gray an 8 when he had a chance to pass to Barnes in the first half who would have scored...!

[ashtonlongsider]

Heaton 8-
Lowton 8
Keane 9
Mee 9
Ward 8-What do we need a
Boyd 8
Hendrick 9
Barton 10 - Think i've only given one 10 before and that was to Joey.
Defour 7
Barnes 8
Gray 8-Showed a new dimension to his game and bullied Huth and Morgan.

Arfield 7

[Malton_Claret]

what pleased me last night was the lack of long balls and playing through the middle with Hendrick and Barton keen to get hold of the ball and play on the floor, when we do this we play really well and it is also great to watch. UTC

[MACCA]

Heaton 6 - 1 fumble nearly cost us, where was he going with Vardy?
Lowton 7 a threat going forward, final ball was poor
Keane 9
Mee 8
Ward 7 no threat going forward crossing very poor
Boyd 7 did the running needed
Barton 9 excellent
Hendrick 9 MOM what a player. Breaks up play, drives forward, seems to always find a pass.
Defour 6
Arfield 7 popped up in some good positions
Barnes 6 dint win much in the air, couldn't hoodwink Dean.
Gray 8 had the defenders on toast. Decision making is poor at times, Needs to look up more.

Vokes 7 winner, and I'd of been more than happy if he had caught it, and threw it in as long as it stood!

[claretspice]

Anyone giving Barnes a 5 for last night clearly missed the point of his role. He gave Huth and Morgan a torrid night in the air, on the deck and with his "physicality"!

That's where we differ then, although I'#m pretty sure I understand Barnes' role. It is, foremost, to get hold of the ball, make it stick and lay it off, or into Gray, and I don't think he did that last night. In fact I thought that Morgan dealt with the long ball into Barnes as well as any defender all season - Barnes quickly resorted to not even trying to jump, making a bit of a back for Morgan and giving the impression (wrongly) that he'd been held down. Which isn't dispute that he won headers (but without doing much with them) and generally was a nuisance to the two Leicester centre halves.

We bullied Leicester a bit last night, but mainly in midfield once Arfield came on, and through Gray's pace in behind. As someone else has just said, Hendrick, Arfield and particularly Barton won their battles hands down and got us playing some good, constructive stuff in tough conditions and that is where we got the ascendancy of the game and it was the most pleasing aspect of the game. We won that game in midfield, and thanks to the outlet Gray gives us behind, and not because of what happened in between those two battlegrounds.

A 5 is "below par", incidentally. It isn't poor, and it isn't bad. That's a 4.

[Wilsdenclaret]

Heaton 7
Lowton 8
Ward 8
Mee 9
Keane 9
Defour 6
Barton 9 MOTM
Hendrick 9
Boyd 7
Barnes 8, extra mark for how fast he sprinted off the pitch to get Vokes on
Gray 8

Arfield 7
Vokes 7

[BleedingClaret]

Heaton 8
Lowton 8
Keane 8
Mee 9
Ward 8
Boyd 9
Barton 10 MoM
Hendrick 9+
Defour 8
Barnes 8
Gray 9

Arfield 8
Vokes 9 1 for goal

[WestMidsClaret]

Barnes 5

[the_magic_rat]

Heaton 7

Lowton 7
Keane 8
Mee 8
Ward 7

Boyd 7
Barton 9
Hendrick 8
Defour 5

Gray 8
Barnes 7

Arfield 7
Vokes 7

[Lancasterclaret]

Wow, second half we absolutely battered them (minor gripe, the final ball or decision making let us down) and we made the champions (possibly the poorest ones ever mind) look very average. and we spent £18 million on two players. These are amazing times to be a Burnley fan and I urge every single one of you to enjoy this while it lasts as I doubt it can get better than this.

Heaton 7 - bit wobbly for the spilled shot and I did have my hand over his eyes when he ran out to challenge the scrote with the balance problem
Lowton 8 - just let down by his crossing
Ward 8 - Continuing his season of being absolutely magnificent
Keane 9 - he's going to get his big move, and we are going to get more money than we know what to do with
Mee 9 - won't get a big move, but is only slightly behind Keane
Defour 6 - hope his injury isn't too serious, part of our current amazing midfield
Hendrick 9 - since he scored that wonder goal, he's been amazing, an absolute rolls royce of a player. Another who will move on to bigger things
Barton 9* - utterly imperious. I've no idea what went on in Scotland but he ran the show in a far tougher league
Boyd 8 - delivery a bit iffy, but another who is having a fine season
Barnes 7 - understand where Spice is coming from, but he did completely mess up both Huth and Morgan, but should have realised Gray at least once.
Gray 8 - unplayable 2nd half, lets hope he keeps this form up for the rest of the season

Subs
Vokes 7 - scored
Arfield 7 - great 2nd half, and great deliveries from corners

SD 10 - has got the team and squad completely and totally up for every game now, and wow! Just look how we are doing. I hope he never leaves.

We'd really have to implode to go down now, and if we can grab an away win pretty soon, we could have a real go at the FA Cup, and how ace would that be?

Unreal times to be honest, sometimes you have to pinch yourself that this actually happening

[MrTopTier]

Heaton 7- Difficult night to be a goalkeeper, did well.
Lowton 7- Unlucky to be booked, playing well at the moment, final ball just lacking
Ward 7- Solid, consistent and part of very good back five.
Mee 8- The kind of night a Ben Mee character loves, got stuck in battled, 100%
Keane 8- The sign of good player is the amount of time he appears to have on the ball, looks unflustered and is reading the game better
Defour 6- Injured? or didn't fancy a wet and windy Tuesday night at Burnley, wasted on the wing
Barton 9 - Carried on where he left off last season, bossed the midfield last night against a very good player in Drinkwater, hope he has another year in him.
Hendrick 8 Does a lot of work and put in a shift last night, only criticism was the final ball in the final third
Boyd 7- Does what Boyd does
Barnes 7- A complete pain in the arse for defenders, battles for everything and makes a nuisance of himself, chest control last night superb, didn't win much in the air against Morgan and Huth. Integral to what we do.
Gray 8- I was impressed with Gray last night, man handled all night, couple of chances to go down but he didn't, went for goal, very direct, but also made a lot of runs down the channel and came out to pick the ball up wide.

Arfield 7 Sound
Vokes 7 Got the goal, job done.

A very good all round performance, created a variety of chances, good movement and options, the final ball on a number of occasions was the only down side for me.

[Adrianthepostman]

Heaton 8
Lowton 8
Keane 9
Mee 7
Ward 8
Boyd 7
Barton 9
Hendrick 9
Barnes 9
Gray 8
Defour 6

Arfield 8

[Blackrod]

Heaton 7
Lowton 7 crossing could be better
Keane 8
Mee 8
Ward 8
Defour 6
Barton 9 outstanding mom
Hendrick 8 looks the part now
Boyd 7
Barnes 8
Gray 7

Arfield 7 like the old Arfield
Vokes 7

[NottsClaret]

Heaton 7 - tricky conditions, but got away with a couple
Lowton 8 - very solid
Ward 8
Keane 9 - surely the 2nd most sought after centre half this summer, after VanDijk
Mee 8
Defour 6
Hendrick 9 - Turning into a bit of a beast this lad
Barton 9 - Incredible will to win, classy touches under pressure
Boyd 8
Barnes 7
Gray 8 - Back to his rampaging best, swatted Huth out of the way a couple of times

Subs
Vokes 7 - a handball so exquisite even Wenger would have seen it
Arfield 8 - very good Scotty


Well worth the rush hour trek over. Undoubtedly a ‘golden age’ for us Clarets, enjoying every second of it while it’s here. Usually fans just want the players to have the same passion as us. This team clearly want Burnley to win every bit as much as we do, inspiring stuff.

[KeighleyClaret]

Heaton - 7 - should have held onto the shot he spilled but looked confident as usual
Lowton - 7 - did nothing wrong, a huge improvement from the Cup fullback!
Keane - 8 - an absolute Rolls Royce of a player, cannot believe he plays for us
Mee - 7 - at the heart of everything in defence but should have scored with the free header.
Ward - 8 - one of his best games for us. Commitment.
Boyd - 7 - steady, just wish he was a bit less lightweight sometimes but earning his place
Barton - 9 - unbelievable MOM performance and seemed to revel in the role vacated by Marney.
Hendrick - 9 - getting better every game. Superb until he was injured.
Defour - 6 - hard to judge but never really got into the game then went off
Arfield - 7 - gave 100% as always. Makes the most of his talent
Barnes - 8 - got nothing from a dreadful ref but definitely roughed their defence.
Gray - 8 - deserved a goal, his game is definitely improving
Vokes - 8 - handled himself well! Great winner.

Haven't enjoyed a Burnley performance as much as this for a long time. Despite the possible doubts over the goal (seemed OK to me ...) it was a richly deserved reward for a proper and sustained performance. Might even give Chelsea a fright playing like this.

[Beagleheart]

Heaton 7
Lowton 9*
Ward 8
Mee 8
Keane 8
Defour 7
Barton 9
Hendrick 9
Boyd 7
Barnes 8
Gray 8

Arfield 7

[Top Claret]

Heaton 6 lucky he did not give them a goal
Lawton 7 Was up against it, but kept his nerve and he was our best provider
Ward 7 Same as usual rock solid and aalways uses the ball well in possesion
Mee 8 played well against a skillful and pacey attack
Keane 8 This is quality at it showed tonight, he never seems to look under any pressure
Boyd 9 worked his socks off as usual and was everywhere and involded n everything
Henrick 6 Covered a lot of ground but could do to improve his distribution
Barton 10 Outstanding was Joey, he bossed midfield
DeFour 5 . off injured and his performance showed just that
Barnes 8 Gave them hell
Gray 7 Looking sharp and if this lad gets the proper service he will score goals at any level

Arfield 8 Had an excellent game

[IAmAClaret]

Heaton 7
Lowton 8
Keane 9
Mee 9
Ward 8
Boyd 8
Barton 9*
Hendrick 8
Defour 7
Barnes 8
Gray 8

Arfield 8

[uwe]

Heaton - 6 The spill was a worry. Not a huge amount to do
Lowton - 7 Took good positions when we were in possession, shame final ball isn't Trippier-esque. Defensively handled Albrighton's pace after early scares
Keane - 9 Imperious, but needs to work on shooting as Upper Jimmy Mac can testify.
Mee - 8 A rock
Ward - 8 Another rock
Boyd - 7 If he could beat a man, he'd be outstanding. He can't, so he's the player he is ... sets the workrate and discipline bar very high indeed
Barton - 10 Exemplary midfield performance, which grew into dominance. His reading of the game, speed to second ball, vision, swift distribution and beautiful presentation of the ball to team-mates was a joy to behold ... and if one of those shots has gone in, I'd've had to give him 11.
Hendrick - 7 Passing lets him down. That aside, he'd be 8/9
Defour - 6 Really disappointing to not witness him playing as he can.
Arfield - 7 . Never lets us down, works hard, attacks with intent.
Barnes - 9 More than just loathsome to play against, his touch was fantastic
Gray - 9 His pace and low-gravity muscularity should've been too much for the lumbering Huth & Morgan. But he is a lot more than that: three first-time back-heel flicks all went where intended an opened gaps. Deserved a goal.
Vokes - 8 Dependable. Which applies to pretty much all of them.

[Athletico mtoto]

Heaton 7
Ward 7
Lowton 7
Keane 8
Mee 8
Barton 9
Hendricks 9
Boyd 7
Defour 6
Gray 8
Barnes 8
Arfield 7

[IanMcL]

Heaton 7
Lowton 7
Mee 8
Keane 8
Ward 7
Boyd 7
Barton 9
Hendrick 8
Defour 6
Arfield 8
Barnes 7
Gray 7
Vokes 7

Great performance and dominated the battle of the champions.

[leelad]

Heaton - 7, spilling the ball to the feet of Vardy was a worry, but managed to get away with it. Apart from that, nothing else of note.
Lowton - 7, occasionally managed to produce a good quality ball into the penalty area, but his effort and work-rate made up for that.
Mee - 8, Calm and assured. Should have scored in the second half.
Keane - 8. Same comments as Mee, could (and should) have had a penalty in the first half.
Ward - 7. Used the ball well in possession and got forward when he could.
Defour - 6. Had one or two nice touches, hopefully his injury is a minor one.
Barton - 9. So many positives about Joseph Barton's performance. Took control of the game and led by example. His game management skills were superb. Managed to pick passes out with ease and broke up their forward runs as well.
Hendrick - 9. An excellent game, playing alongside Barton looked like it inspired him to get forward and give us different options going forward. Best centre midfield performance with Barton I have seen this season.
Boyd - 7. Full of running and energy. But the end product could have been slightly better into the box, but that's a minor thing when you look at the performance of the group.
Arfield - 8. Worked hard when we came on and managed to move us forward with his attacking play.
Barnes - 7. Some good flick ons and lay-offs for Gray. Had a good touch about him tonight.
Gray - 8. Should have had a couple of goals tonight. Had the beating of Morgan & Huth with his pace and strength.
Vokes - 7. What can you say? He came up with the crucial goal when it mattered which our performance deserved.

An enjoyable game to watch, we had the better of the chances in the first half but there was not much between the teams. The second half performance will live long in the memory of many a Clarets fan. We took the game to Leicester and wore them down as the half went on. Special mention again to Barton & Hendrick. They took the game by the scruff of the neck and kept the pressure up on their back four with their passing and making intelligent use of space. This was a performance that makes you proud to be a Burnley fan, and even though we should only take each game at a time, I am confident that we will pick up points on the road in the next few games and that should hopefully get us to our points target. Up the Clarets!

[KlyBfc]

Heaton 6
Lowton 8
Keane 8
Mee 8
Ward 8
Defour 6
Boyd 8
Barton 9
Hendrick 8
Barnes 6
Gray 8

Arfield 6
Vokes 6