Back in business. Burnley (A) Verdict?

[Snods Shinpad 2]

I didn't think we were too bad-marginally better than Barnsley away in that there was more effort and a few more chances, but it hardly set the pulses racing. We never dominated the game at any point, or had any sustained pressure.

The pen was unlucky, but Burnley seemed a bit powder-puff....like an O'Driscoll-lite team. They could have been beaten. Rovers were too rigid and didn't deliver too many dangerous crosses into the box.

We were dominated in midfield. Gillett-Stock-Barnes in midfield doesn't cut the mustard unfortunately. Should Sharp be paired with Diouf, especially away from home?

4-5-1 would suit us better I reckon with the present personnel.

Decent turn out in the away end. Must have been 1200 at least.

Woods 6
Ilunga 6
O'Connor 5
Hird 6
Beye 7
Stock 6
Barnes 4
Gillett 4
Coppinger 6
Sharp 6
Diouf 8


Saunders 5

[dickos1]

Woods 5 not safe
Illunga 6 little better than usual
Hird 6 steady
Bêye 7 solid
Stock 8 ran the game stood out
Barnes 5 not a centre midfielder
Gillett 5 same old
Copps 6 not his best
Sharp 3 terrible just don't seem arsed
Diouf 7 good in patches

[Filo]

I was a full length of the pitch away from the pen incident, from where I was it was never a pen in a million years! what was interesting is that Burnley played all the incidents of the first half back on the big screen, all but the penalty incident, were they embarrassed? The second goal was a good strike beat Woods and hit the underside of the bar, Woods took longer to get back up than an arthritis riddled pensioner thats lost his Zimmer frame! We need a new keeper, he`s not good enough!, the third goal was Sam trying to cut out a cross and only guiding it into his own net, but the main reason we lost today was that our midfield three of Stock Gillett and Barnes were awful! and we did n`t deal with the overlapping full backs at all!

[RedJ]

On the peno, apparently even Burnley Player's commentary were astonished at the decision tells you all you need to know really.

I thought refs had to be neutral? he was a Lanc himsen..

[CusworthRovers]

I also compared the match to the Barnsley one. Agreed we weren't as bad, but we were at that place again.

We just looked so void of ideas (although they huffed and puffed). Like at Barnsley, we had a distinct lack of any system or game plan. One where we just sat back and allowed them to play football.

I may be wrong but we seem to be vulnerable to the hard working pass and move teams under Deano, whereas the teams who think they don't need to try as hard as they are great and massive and we are allegedly small and shit, we seem ok as we get more time on the ball (with their idea being that we don't do diddly with it). Barnsley, Burnley and Posh all totally outplayed us and we've been very lucky to come away from those 3 having not conceded 12-15 goals, never mind 3 points.
All these 3 teams were in our faces from start to finish and closed everything including pass backs to our goalie and pass out to our defenders (Paterson was sprinting between defenders and goalie to try and close down play til we just hoofed it up and lost it.....exactly what Barnsley and Posh did). Another striking similarity was what we did when they had the ball, which in simple terms was the opposite ie we allowed them as much time and space to do what they wanted. Another game yesterday where one of there's was winning the 2nd ball against 3 of ours.
Fortunately not every team will show us this type of respect. If they did and we continued in this manner we will be mullered in every game til the end of the season.

I'm not going to single players out, like punters do, as I don't think any where bad to be fair. Nobody had a bad game, and the usual scapegoats can hold their heads up, before they are hammered again. It was a collective thing that was missing again.

For what it's worth:

Woods. Without him it could have been 6. Many excellent saves that were blasted at him from close range. He's certainly a shot stopper if nothing else as yet.
Illunga. Steady and that's about it.
Hird. Another decent game. Hardly at fault for the 1st and 3rd
Bêye. Looked like Burnely player ie wanted it. Very good
Stock. Been our best player for a while now. Best player in the middle for both teams
Barnes. See Illunga. Should have worked the goalie with his chance
Gillett. See Illunga
Copps. Played well and looked dangerous. We just needed him involved more. Just wish he had the bottle to crack them with his left when he drifts infield, as he puts himself in with a decent chance
Sharp. Good header, but we need Billy putting the effort in up front and working their defenders. Sadly that didn't happen by a long shot
Diouf. Class act and held the ball up well and tried to buy us time. Had 3 of their round him constantly but usually came away with the ball and created from there. Not sure what all the antics were about, but I'm of the opinion it was a calculated attempt to fire his own team up and wake them up a little.


Referee. Shocking decision and a complete homer with that one. However, don't be fooled that we were robbed of the game. I think they were worthy winners unfortunatley

[danum]

Penalty appeared to be a shocking decision but I believe the referee is from County Durham area not Lancashire although has bprevious for giving Burnley dodgy penalties - maybe he's a fan ?
That apart we deserved nothing - only two players turned up (Diouf & Beye)

[Donnylass]

Other than the opening post, none of you have commented on O'Connor, was his game that bad? I don't get why he didn't shoot when he had space in front of the goal, instead he passed it out :cry:
I do wonder about Billy. For a long time I thought he just can't be bothered. The ball had to be put at his feet or there's no effort. Other times he's all over pitch, going for everything. Unfortunately Burnley was one of the former games.
Won't comment on Woods