Disjointed performance, but it's our first game since the transfer window closed and most of the players have been away with international teams. Some encouraging performances (CHO, Turner, Aina, Mangala). Sangare is still coming up to speed with the Premier League, and I'd really like to see Niakhate back for the next match.
Aina was OK in the first half, and vastly improved when he switched to the right. I really don't like this whole playing full backs on their wrong side thing.
Ball retention was the key for me. Burnley were much better than us at that tonight. Both sides will get better - hopefully us a fair bit. As others have pointed out, we are currently what we looked like - a team of very promising players learning to play together.
To coin a SSC phrase, trust in the plan. Be reet (as long as he's here).
We were very very lucky. Bumley were the better team. Thought they had scored the second. Hudson Odoi great goal.
I am with Tricky. Aina was by far our best player. Sangare had a bit of a mare. Yates did his job as usual. Got a player sent off. Crikey Mckenna was done badly by Berg. Montiel was a bit of a mess. Nuno helped when he came on. Turner was very solid.
We have a way to go. Currently 8th. Got to play Spank Citeh next. Yates should play in that game just to piss them off.
We'd have been pretty annoyed if we'd scored that goal and had it ruled out; I guess it falls under the "making your body unnaturally large" bit of the rule, but he's running full pace and fighting off a big strong defender.
Please no more Scott McKenna though. Let me have the memory of him in the promotion season, not the reality of him trying to be a Premier League player.
Not sure that's fair. He had a couple of sketchy moments in our half, but he also played the ball into Awoniyi to create the goal. I'd say he was hit and miss.
Thought it was a clear example of the officials getting one right for once. The ball was going to get across his body, and his arm controlled it. You've never been able to do that....but the officials used to not always see them.
Quite amusing that you choose this one to not back the officials.
I'm not disagreeing with the decision, just saying that it was a close one that I would have been upset about had it cost us a goal. I don't know how much he controlled it with his arm.
I enjoyed that. Crowd a lot better than for the cup game, but still not as good as we need to be. Agree that Aina was MotM. I thought Mangala had a decent game too, and CHO was excellent. Fantastic finish. Sangare looked as if he’d never played a Premiership game before, but I think he’ll improve quickly. Like others, I worry about a central defence that really belongs in the Championship.
Another vote for Aina. Excellent on both sides tonight. Was he only on a short term deal? We should look to tie him down if so..
Sangare will be fine..he had a couple of shaky moments but there were some great interceptions in there.
Montiel was a concern, but their left winger looked a player.
As ever, the balance still doesn't look quite with four attacking players. Coops will work it out, but we always look a better side with Yatesy and a front 3.