My concern ahead of the new season is......

[CornholmeClaret]

Whether the current squad has the stomach for the fight ahead..

Relatively speaking, in my opinion last years squad was one of the most spineless I have seen at Burnley for many years.
There was zero leadership and character throughout the entire team. I realise we have seen rather ungifted players before, going back to the division 4 years for example. But while many of the players we had back then may have been lacking in technical ability, they had a lot more heart and fight than last years lot did.

I would honestly say that Parker's biggest challenge is going to whether he can in still confidence again within the group, and dare I say identify those who haven't got the commitment to the cause.

There is only 2 weeks to go now before the start of the new season, and keeping in mind we can only register a senior squad of 25. Our squad is still massively over bloated at around 38/39 players.

Granted, there maybe a possibility that Parker is trying to take his time in having a good look at everyone before deciding who to keep and who needs offloading. But my concern is that we maybe taking a bit too long in doing so, resulting in a slow start to the season that leaves ourselves to much of a gap to catch up. It also certainly wont help a group of players who already seem to have fragile confidence from last year.

I think we really need to get on with shifting quite a few out the door, so Parker can freshen the squad up with some new faces. I really believe its going to be pivotal to our season to get some competition for places, keeping some of the current lot on their toes.

[alfinyalcabo]

My major concern is that we will get promoted to the Cheating Premier league .🤔

[wanderlust]

My concern for you is that you are too lightweight. Last season Bolton had some very "easy on the eye" players who played beautiful stuff at times, but in L1 we got bullied and there were a few players that lacked bottle. One player who missed the entire season due to an ACL picked up in the pre-season was George Johnston. Here he is welcoming Fiorentina to the Unibol on Friday.....

https://x.com/i/status/1817096790304227763

[The Bedlington Terrier]

My concern for you is that you are too lightweight. Last season Bolton had some very "easy on the eye" players who played beautiful stuff at times, but in L1 we got bullied and there were a few players that lacked bottle. One player who missed the entire season due to an ACL picked up in the pre-season was George Johnston. Here he is welcoming Fiorentina to the Unibol on Friday.....

https://x.com/i/status/1817096790304227763

I was at Wolverhampton last season when Koleosho got kicked off the park and almost had his career ended. No protection whatsoever from the referee, I hope the Championship referees do not allow such aggression and blatant thuggery. I am not holding my breath.

[sinkov]

My concern for you is that you are too lightweight. Last season Bolton had some very "easy on the eye" players who played beautiful stuff at times, but in L1 we got bullied and there were a few players that lacked bottle. One player who missed the entire season due to an ACL picked up in the pre-season was George Johnston. Here he is welcoming Fiorentina to the Unibol on Friday.....

https://x.com/i/status/1817096790304227763

Perfectly fair tackle that Wander, it looks like his trailing leg caught Kean, who did his best to get Johnston sent off. Nevertheless I wish Kean well, is he out of hospital yet ?

[Supersub6]

My concern for you is that you are too lightweight. Last season Bolton had some very "easy on the eye" players who played beautiful stuff at times, but in L1 we got bullied and there were a few players that lacked bottle. One player who missed the entire season due to an ACL picked up in the pre-season was George Johnston. Here he is welcoming Fiorentina to the Unibol on Friday.....

https://x.com/i/status/1817096790304227763

AH yes, endangering an opponent, using too much force, being reckless or any other thing that they have invented to ensure that the ball is no longer important in the game of football.
I am surprised that they still use a ball these days, surely they could play the game digitally with a virtual ball.

I look forward to the NPL Eastern Division season starting soon, it is a totally different game when compared to the PL and EFL. ALways enjoyable to watch.

[wanderlust]

Perfectly fair tackle that Wander, it looks like his trailing leg caught Kean, who did his best to get Johnston sent off. Nevertheless I wish Kean well, is he out of hospital yet ?

Hospital?
As soon as he'd got George booked, he jumped up and carried on as if nothing had happened. Ponce.
Evatt was asked about it in the post match interview and with a very wry smile said "Let's put it this way. In my day that was a brilliant tackle. Nowadays not so much."

Have to add that George had been on the pitch for about 3 minutes when he came up with that beauty - his first appearance for over a year. Just reminding Wanderers fans what we missed last season

[sinkov]

Hospital?
As soon as he'd got George booked, he jumped up and carried on as if nothing had happened. Ponce.

You do surprise me Wander, the way he was flapping his hand around I thought his leg must have been broken in two places at least.

[Turf_Forever]

A few of our players are physically lightweight I agree, but Maatsen/Tella/Cullen/Benson all did the business in the championship last time and they are all smaller in stature.

Hopefully Parker can reinstate the belief and fight and get everyone pulling in the same direction. I think it was rotting under VK last season and the belief was gone.