Lessons learned from first game

[army88]

Just watched it again and Esteve should have cleared the ball into the stand or up field. We had been under constant pressure for those first 9 minutes and it needed the heat taking out of the situation. FTD if you think that that was 5 minutes beforehand, you need to get your watch fixed.

As for Kudus, remember West Ham at home two seasons ago. We were winning with 5 minutes to go when Kudus beat Charlie Taylor crossed the ball and O-Shea scored an own goal. Five minutes later and 1 minute into added time Kudus got another cross in and Coufal (I think) scored the winner.

I know that we have a totally different team, however, it is the responsibility of management and staff to know who is likely to give us problems. We must not have done our homework because that West Ham game was a real giveaway. Our seventh home game of the season which shold have been our first win but ended in defeat because we allowed them to get crosses into the box. Nothing changes.

Sub

As I put going back previously 2 seasons we let ball be delivered into our box and at this level you can’t that - kudos as you say has done it before to us and others but in a line of events I think Esteve should have given it the big boot - Cullen should have brought him down when he had the chance ( we can argue wether that’s wrong or right - but I’d have done my absolute best including bringing him down to stop the ball going in our box.

Ekdal is a ball watching centre back lacking a yard or two of pace at this level and switched off for their first and third no pace to get back around.

Your also right that the management are complicit in all of the above - knowledge of opposing players - selection of our players and formations to trouble the opposition and as it looked we didn’t really commit to any of the above, part of me thinks that Parker was somehow sentimentally caught up in going back to his old club where he was loved and the other part of me thinks he picked the wrong personnel and didn’t react to stop them driving their bus through the middle of the park.

[sinkov]

Far, far too early to be talking about 'must win' games, but next Saturday we certainly don't want to be getting beat.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Far, far too early to be talking about 'must win' games, but next Saturday we certainly don't want to be getting beat.

Sunderland will want to get one over on their relegation rivals and will be full of confidence after yesterday.After what happened at the Turf last time round they will desperately want to win.I am predicting a 2-0 win to Sunderland.
I hope Cardy changes the starting eleven and proves me wrong.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Dave Thornley writing for Clarets Mad gives us his thoughts on our opening day defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
In the end, it didn’t go the way we had hoped, but rather the way most of us had anticipated.
Throughout our various seasons in the Premier League, we have witnessed many other examples of yesterday’s season opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; earnest endeavour undone by technically superior opponents imposing that superiority.
It took a mere ten minutes for Spurs to unlock a Burnley defence so unyielding last season in the Championship; Maxime Esteve being drawn out wide then playing a loose pass which produced a cross and a neat finish from Richarlison. It was an uncharacteristic lapse from Esteve and one which might easily have gone unpunished last season, but not in the rarefied atmosphere of the Premier League.
Despite the early setback, Burnley maintained a strong presence in the game for an hour, but the Richarlison second goal, a spectacular airborne scissor kick, ended the Clarets’ resistance, before Brennan Johnson concluded a slick move to add Spurs’ third.
Previous experience has taught us the folly of raised expectations and if we were under any illusions about the size of the task ahead of Scott Parker and his team, then yesterday’s result will have surely dispelled them.
This does not mean that relegation should be regarded as a pre-ordained outcome; yesterday’s performance showed distinct signs of promise and not all of Burnley’s opponents will be as testing as Spurs, who were out to impress a new manager and in front of their own supporters.
Burnley will, of course, need to do better in key areas; the pace of their play needs to quicken; lapses of concentration must be eradicated, and more chances need to be both created and finished.
Scott Parker does not need me to remind him of this; he and his coaching staff will be acutely aware of the work that needs to be undertaken before a buoyant Sunderland visit Turf Moor next week.
The Black Cats gave Burnley more problems than any other opponent last season and their return to the Premier League yesterday afternoon was, in contrast to Burnley’s, in front of their own fans and against a poor West Ham team. The odds – whilst stacked against Burnley – were lined up in favour of Sunderland. This needs to be reversed next Saturday.
Editor’s note: I have backed us this season in the English Premier League to win ten games, draw ten games and lose 18 I still have a further 17 losses to go. Can we pretty please get Nathan back?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Far, far too early to be talking about 'must win' games, but next Saturday we certainly don't want to be getting beat.

My 9-year-old grandson who is learning more and more football speak day by day, says this game is a definite six pointer and can we please go on early granddad?

[ballcock]

Just watched 3 minutes of the highlights on Now TV. Spurs 2nd goal was a worldy, with maybe Sonne doing better by putting more pressure on the crosser. Other goals poor defence.

With the players at our disposal I don't think that we would have done any better playing a 442.

We need to get our new signings up and running and hope that they find their form fast. West Ham, Wolves and Brentford all got smashed, so don't be too despondent

[army88]

Just watched 3 minutes of the highlights on Now TV. Spurs 2nd goal was a worldy, with maybe Sonne doing better by putting more pressure on the crosser. Other goals poor defence.

With the players at our disposal I don't think that we would have done any better playing a 442.

We need to get our new signings up and running and hope that they find their form fast. West Ham, Wolves and Brentford all got smashed, so don't be too despondent

4-5-1 if we want to talk about formation however I think a few of the starting line up weren’t up to task

On the task why are players playing that shouldn’t be. ?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

4-5-1 if we want to talk about formation however I think a few of the starting line up weren?’t up to task

On the task why are players playing that shouldn?’t be. ?

Seeing that it looks like we are stuck with your mate Foster, can we please play Flemming as a number 10 right behind him?

[ballcock]

4-5-1 if we want to talk about formation however I think a few of the starting line up weren’t up to task

On the task why are players playing that shouldn’t be. ?

I should have said 451 has we played last season. The score line wouldn't have been any different looking at the players available

[The Bedlington Terrier]

The simple truth gentlemen is at present only Dubravka and Walker are proven as good enough for the EPL, and we won't win games in this league with only two players good enough to play in it.

We need at least a dozen of our existing squad to step up to the plate or it's straight back to the Championship.

[outwoodclaret]

Goals win games and we flatter to deceive

We played alright in patches but we can’t - don’t shoot even when we’re encouraged to by the opposition.

On today’s showing I’d say from Parker’s point of view pick the strongest 11 to start even if they’re not quite good enough - after today loyalty is gone and he should start his best team.

If he thinks some of them that started today are up to it - he’s wrong.

Agreed army. The eleven that started v Spurs are clearly not our best team. I think Scotty knows that too or I sincerely hope he does. Unfortunately the players to improve that squad are either injured or not fully match fit. We need them ready as soon as possible because we will need to do much better against a resurgent Sunderland at Turf Moor. We won?t have Trafford this time to save our bacon.

[ClaretinBudapest]

The simple truth gentlemen is at present only Dubravka and Walker are proven as good enough for the EPL, and we won't win games in this league with only two players good enough to play in it.

We need at least a dozen of our existing squad to step up to the plate or it's straight back to the Championship.

I have been watching some highlights from the Championship BT and it is far more entertaining than the Plastic League.I wont mind if we do go straight back down.

[army88]

Agreed army. The eleven that started v Spurs are clearly not our best team. I think Scotty knows that too or I sincerely hope he does. Unfortunately the players to improve that squad are either injured or not fully match fit. We need them ready as soon as possible because we will need to do much better against a resurgent Sunderland at Turf Moor. We won?t have Trafford this time to save our bacon.

I watched the Sunderland highlights Outwood and if I’m honest they looked a real threat - they have a fluidity to their play and when they get to the opposition box they are very direct pace - power and attempts at goal.

So we have our hands full i think to get anything Saturday unless he’s going to play a proper team in correct positions and we’re going to be more clinical- at times against spurs we simply don’t shoot enough plus we’ve got Walker playing as a centre back - he’s a full back and good at it so why fix what isn’t broken, Sonne was weak for me and offers very little - Lauren is slow and absolutely out of his depth
Imo these factors also stifled Anthony and Hannibal who should contribute more if we weren’t carrying people.

It will be interesting to see how we approach the game

[sinkov]

I watched the Sunderland highlights Outwood and if I?’m honest they looked a real threat - they have a fluidity to their play and when they get to the opposition box they are very direct pace - power and attempts at goal.

So we have our hands full i think to get anything Saturday unless he?’s going to play a proper team in correct positions and we?’re going to be more clinical- at times against spurs we simply don?’t shoot enough plus we?’ve got Walker playing as a centre back - he?’s a full back and good at it so why fix what isn?’t broken, Sonne was weak for me and offers very little - Lauren is slow and absolutely out of his depth
Imo these factors also stifled Anthony and Hannibal who should contribute more if we weren?’t carrying people.

It will be interesting to see how we approach the game

Given Scott's record with promoted teams this was not an auspicious start. He's been here before, you would have hoped lessons had been learned by now, but it seems not.

[ClaretinBudapest]

I watched the Sunderland highlights Outwood and if I’m honest they looked a real threat - they have a fluidity to their play and when they get to the opposition box they are very direct pace - power and attempts at goal.

So we have our hands full i think to get anything Saturday unless he’s going to play a proper team in correct positions and we’re going to be more clinical- at times against spurs we simply don’t shoot enough plus we’ve got Walker playing as a centre back - he’s a full back and good at it so why fix what isn’t broken, Sonne was weak for me and offers very little - Lauren is slow and absolutely out of his depth
Imo these factors also stifled Anthony and Hannibal who should contribute more if we weren’t carrying people.

It will be interesting to see how we approach the game

BFC 0 Sunderland 2 for me Army on Saturdays evidence.Our starting eleven in May was stronger than the starting eleven on Saturday.We have gone backwards and the lack of goal threat and weak midfield have not yet been addressed after 2 full seasons unless Broja can make a flying start.