Fair play Andoni

[Exile Cherry]

Not really, he has been. The Solent podcast had Kris Temple discussing how close he was to being dropped in his view.

Absolutely sensational today.

But an accident waiting to happen when the ball's at his feet, gladly he's punting it a lot more recently

 

[northstandmark]

Interesting. I'll admit I've not watched a lot of Burnley this season, but everything I saw yday and in the games I did watch made me think you absolutely DO want to press Trafford. He looked very uncomfortable.

I think Christie is just so important to the press and our style of play. When Christie isn't 'on it', the whole style of play looks ineffective. Also the nicking of the ball on the halfway line from Senesi is crucial to our style, and that's just not Mepham's game, so losing Senesi after 12 minutes was a major blow.

Another thing was that we looked so vulnerable on our left side, especially first half. Kerkez isn't as disciplined as Smith and it leaves gaps behind us, I feel like Burnley were deliberately targeting that and better sides would've hurt us. If fit, I prefer Kelly there in this system/style because it makes up for the lack of numbers when our front 5 all bomb forward.

I’d guess the intention was to allow Trafford and Burnley to have their slow sideways possession in their own third, and then activate the usual savage press just in the slightly deeper area of the middle third.

Only that didn’t happen or happened only sporadically, because everyone was knackered, so it looked awkward.

Thought it surreal to be an away fan at a ground where 18000 home fans are actively annoyed at their own team’s possession and playing style.

It sounds odd but in a way I admire Trafford and Burnley defenders for sticking with their game plan even when the entire home crowd was whistling and moaning at them for it. Burnley fans I guess not known for their appreciation of tippy tappy. Although not sure I’d want to watch that every week myself.

 

[Tidalfury]

I’d guess the intention was to allow Trafford and Burnley to have their slow sideways possession in their own third, and then activate the usual savage press just in the slightly deeper area of the middle third.

Only that didn’t happen or happened only sporadically, because everyone was knackered, so it looked awkward.

Thought it surreal to be an away fan at a ground where 18000 home fans are actively annoyed at their own team’s possession and playing style.

It sounds odd but in a way I admire Trafford and Burnley defenders for sticking with their game plan even when the entire home crowd was whistling and moaning at them for it. Burnley fans I guess not known for their appreciation of tippy tappy. Although not sure I’d want to watch that every week myself.

They couldn’t get through the Great Wall of Cherries though

 

[Kudos]

I’d guess the intention was to allow Trafford and Burnley to have their slow sideways possession in their own third, and then activate the usual savage press just in the slightly deeper area of the middle third.

Only that didn’t happen or happened only sporadically, because everyone was knackered, so it looked awkward.

Thought it surreal to be an away fan at a ground where 1800 home fans are actively annoyed at their own team’s possession and playing style.

It sounds odd but in a way I admire Trafford and Burnley defenders for sticking with their game plan even when the entire home crowd was whistling and moaning at them for it. Burnley fans I guess not known for their appreciation of tippy tappy. Although not sure I’d want to watch that every week myself.

Personally think Burnley are a far better side than their league position suggests and some of their movement and fluidity in attack is excellent.

I wonder how much of the game plan was down to negativing Burnley's threat and how much was due to tired legs. Perhaps a combination of both.

Interesting that we've long talked about playing a strong side in the cup without really having to see the impact of doing so until this year. I wonder if we'd lost, which we could well of done, attitudes would change.

 

[Neil Dawson]

Personally think Burnley are a far better side than their league position suggests and some of their movement and fluidity in attack is excellent.

I wonder how much of the game plan was down to negativing Burnley's threat and how much was due to tired legs. Perhaps a combination of both.

Interesting that we've long talked about playing a strong side in the cup without really having to see the impact of doing so until this year. I wonder if we'd lost, which we could well of done, attitudes would change.

Always an interesting debate re cup games. I think the answer lies in resting some key players but keeping around 7 or 8 of the first team. Playing everyone or playing nobody are the worst two scenarios for me. Also completely depends on circumstances at the club on injuries at the time.

Even if you get to the quarters of both trophies you’ve still played less games than a championship team. Again different if you are in Europe.

 

[redharry]

Personally think Burnley are a far better side than their league position suggests and some of their movement and fluidity in attack is excellent.

I wonder how much of the game plan was down to negativing Burnley's threat and how much was due to tired legs. Perhaps a combination of both.

Interesting that we've long talked about playing a strong side in the cup without really having to see the impact of doing so until this year. I wonder if we'd lost, which we could well of done, attitudes would change.

If Burnley keep the majority of their team they will be right up there next season in the C'ship. But for this season the league table doesn't lie after 27 games. 13 points is dreadful. 2 of their 3 wins were against Luton and Sheff Utd.

 

[Kudos]

If Burnley keep the majority of their team they will be right up there next season in the C'ship. But for this season the league table doesn't lie after 27 games. 13 points is dreadful. 2 of their 3 wins were against Luton and Sheff Utd.

I think we're making the same argument 13 points is dreadful but Burnley don't look like a dreadful team to me. I don't watch them all that much but when I do it feels like I'm watching a decent mid table side having a bit of a confidence crisis. When you look at the stats (and highlights) we were actually pretty lucky to walk away 0-2 winners.

Thankfully for us, even if they do click even the most pessimistic prediction wouldn't have them overtake us.

 

[thegazzyb]

I think we're making the same argument 13 points is dreadful but Burnley don't look like a dreadful team to me. I don't watch them all that much but when I do it feels like I'm watching a decent mid table side having a bit of a confidence crisis. When you look at the stats (and highlights) we were actually pretty lucky to walk away 0-2 winners.

Thankfully for us, even if they do click even the most pessimistic prediction wouldn't have them overtake us.

They would have been absolutely up for this game against us, that's for sure !
It was a great opportunity for them to start a run which could have been their last opportunity to get out of the relegation zone.
Neto alluded to it in his post match interview. Our lads knew that Burnley would be up for it and that we would have to be prepared for a battle.

I haven't watched any of their other games but I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday was the best they've played all season. They had every reason to give it everything and it was very much a potential banana skin for us, particularly since we also desperately needed a win ourselves.

So it may not have been pretty but it would seem as though Iraola prepared the team well for what they were likely to face.

Too little, too late for Burnley though, I suspect.

 

[DJ]

Speaking about points, I wouldn't want us to try and prove it, but I would not at all be surprised if 31 points proves enough to secure safety already. One more win certainly would.

Chuck in potential points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest as well and it could make things even more comfortable.

 

[northstandmark]

They would have been absolutely up for this game against us, that's for sure !
It was a great opportunity for them to start a run which could have been their last opportunity to get out of the relegation zone.
Neto alluded to it in his post match interview. Our lads knew that Burnley would be up for it and that we would have to be prepared for a battle.

I haven't watched any of their other games but I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday was the best they've played all season. They had every reason to give it everything and it was very much a potential banana skin for us, particularly since we also desperately needed a win ourselves.

So it may not have been pretty but it would seem as though Iraola prepared the team well for what they were likely to face.

Too little, too late for Burnley though, I suspect.

Sheffield Utd this weekend will be similar in that respect. Last chance saloon and a draw probably not good enough for them.

 

[Red Sky]

He was dreadful. It’s really not dramatic. It’s just honest. I’m one of the few on here who has zero agendas and just says it how he sees it.

He was nowhere near a 2. Bit like the classic Rico-0. Far too overdramatic.

No agendas against you, your posts are more considered these days and I generally enjoy reading them.

But overdramatic is definitely how I see that one. We can all see Tavs is going through a bad spell but he worked hard yesterday and got some things right.

 

[redharry]

Sheffield Utd this weekend will be similar in that respect. Last chance saloon and a draw probably not good enough for them.

If we are totally honest about it the only thing giving Sheff and Burnley any hope is points deductions for Everton and Florist. Without that they are 11 points adrift with 11 to play and you would bet on Florist and Everton both picking up at least 7 or 8 more points.

 

[SteveJonesLegend]

I think we're making the same argument 13 points is dreadful but Burnley don't look like a dreadful team to me. I don't watch them all that much but when I do it feels like I'm watching a decent mid table side having a bit of a confidence crisis. When you look at the stats (and highlights) we were actually pretty lucky to walk away 0-2 winners.

Thankfully for us, even if they do click even the most pessimistic prediction wouldn't have them overtake us.

I think, by the way we set up, we allowed them to play their game a bit more than perhaps other teams have done so. I think it would have surprised them, just as much as it did us, how we set up and how we sat back for the whole game...

Couple that with Christie having an incredibly off-day (illness, I know), and our whole 90 mins was polar opposite to what most teams would expect from us.

Fully fit and rested, and playing our normal style, I think yesterday would have been a very different story... Not sure I want Iraola to adopt that game plan too many times going forward.

 

[Reality and Realism]

Your lat paragraph is most valid. We went to Burnley on the back of the hard fought Man City game and then the extra time for the Leicester game. It would not surprise if our below par performance as down to fatigue and the players generally knackered.

 

[AFCBilbo]

I guess Andoni is still learning about the differences of our league with the one he is used to in Spain
It might be that his style of play is not sustainable for a whole season and he has learned he needs to adapt to counter that

 

[fritter]

13 points is dreadful. 3 wins only. Key is how many clear cut chances did they create? Semenyo would have had 3 if he'd been a bit more clinical. I thought we looked like scoring more often than them.

I don't share the gloom around the performance. This is as important as the previous win against them. It will boost confidence and has shown that we can adapt our game. A lot of talk about how well Burnley played in the first half. We've experienced that so many times, start well, don't score, lose. It's a relegation formula.

 

[Bitzer]

They would have been absolutely up for this game against us, that's for sure !
It was a great opportunity for them to start a run which could have been their last opportunity to get out of the relegation zone.
Neto alluded to it in his post match interview. Our lads knew that Burnley would be up for it and that we would have to be prepared for a battle.

I haven't watched any of their other games but I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday was the best they've played all season. They had every reason to give it everything and it was very much a potential banana skin for us, particularly since we also desperately needed a win ourselves.

So it may not have been pretty but it would seem as though Iraola prepared the team well for what they were likely to face.

Too little, too late for Burnley though, I suspect.

Their supporters felt that they were in the last chance saloon yesterday. We've relegated them, the whole club has mentally checked out of the PL after defeat yesterday no matter what Kompany says to the media.

 

[Kudos]

I guess Andoni is still learning about the differences of our league with the one he is used to in Spain
It might be that his style of play is not sustainable for a whole season and he has learned he needs to adapt to counter that

I'm sure in one of his early interviews for us they mentioned the intensity he likes to play at and I'm pretty sure his response was something like "I like to play to play with high intensity this is true but for the Premier League this is normal, no?"

 

[Kicks_On_66]

I'm sure in one of his early interviews for us they mentioned the intensity he likes to play at and I'm pretty sure his response was something like "I like to play to play with high intensity this is true but for the Premier League this is normal, no?"

He said in another interview more recently "We won't win any games in this competition playing at 80%." He's a wise man.