Dave Thornley returns from the international break and comments on a lacklustre Clarets’ performance that many Burnley fans felt lacked passion, commitment, and effort. The last knockings of Burnley’s tenure in the English Premier League are now very imminent. (TEC).
Dave writes: perhaps the most positive thing to say about Burnley’s performance in yesterday’s home game against Manchester City is that after conceding two early goals, at least they hung in there for the remainder of the game.
The most irritating thing was that the Clarets failed to inconvenience City to the extent that at no time were the visitors required to advance beyond second gear.
After losing the previous nine encounters against City, most of them by vast margins, two 2-0 defeats this season represents something of a relief to Burnley fans; they have avoided the drubbing they feared, which may yet prove significant if goal difference becomes a factor in the end-of-season reckoning.
For that to occur, Burnley will probably have to win at least half of their remaining ten games. Their form throughout most of this season would suggest that this would be beyond them. But yesterday’s game was their last fixture against a top four team and whilst none of their remaining matches may be described as easy (certainly not on current form) the Clarets could not have asked for a more acceptable run-in.
If they are to make the most of this, then the players must respond with a better attitude and level of commitment than they have shown in recent games and impose themselves far more than they did during yesterday’s match, the obvious superior quality of the opposition notwithstanding.
It was especially noticeable yesterday that City’s attackers always remained onside, even though they constantly take up position on the shoulder of the last defender. By contrast, the number of times Burnley’s forwards stray into offside positions has been a recurring irritant throughout the season; irrespective of whether those strikers are Matej Vydra, Chris Wood, Jay Rodriguez, Ashley Barnes, Maxwel Cornet or Wout Weghorst. All have been guilty to a greater or lesser extent.
When examining the footage of yesterday’s game, those strikers would be well advised to pay close attention to the movement of Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden and the precision with which they time their runs.
Sterling in particular was excellent yesterday, providing the passes for first Kevin De Bruyne and then Ilkay Gundogan to score City’s two goals. The precision of City’s play would be a joy to behold were in not for that fact that one’s own team were on the receiving end.
Burnley’s best chance came very early in proceedings, a sweeping cross-field ball to Aaron Lennon, an early right wing cross and a Josh Brownhill header which cleared the crossbar, but not by much. After that, there were a couple of shots, but nothing to unduly unnerve Ederson in the City goal.
It was really quite remarkable that Ederson completed more passes than any Burnley player, that’s how bad things have become under Sean Dyche.
Jonathan Pearce in commentary for Match of the Day remarked on how “melancholy” was the atmosphere at Turf Moor yesterday, posing the question of whether Clarets’ fans had given up the hope of escaping relegation. From talking to others, and reading social media posts, I would suggest that an increasing number have, some even relishing a Championship season where different, less demanding, opponents present themselves.
It is not so much a case of Burnley outstaying their welcome in the Premier League, more the Premier League outstaying its welcome at Turf Moor.
But, as alluded to earlier, there are still thirty points to play for, still a chance. Starting with Wednesday night’s visit from Everton, let us see the team, our team play with verve, commitment, and some positively channelled aggression and for the fans to inject an atmosphere of support and positivity. In short, let’s get behind the lads!
Should Everton leave Turf Moor on Wednesday evening with all three points, the fat lady will not only have cleared her throat she will have packed her bags and left the stage. (TEC).

Attachment 21465