Burnley

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

One player in. One.

A player who is only eligible for 14 games and cannot play our home game this weekend against West Ham. And who Scott Parker did not bring on during our woeful display against Sunderland on Monday.

Do I think that Burnley - a team currently sitting in the relegation zone with just 15 points to their name and 11 points shy of survival - did enough in the transfer window? No, I do not. Do I think they should have at least tried to bring in a player who can get our xG to around one? Yes, I do.

There is one obvious justification for the lack of transfer activity; the Clarets are so bad this season, and so far away from any realistic survival chances, that investing any money on new players is simply throwing good money after bad. Who is going to come to us when are showing such an abject lack of fight or quality?

And the reality is that we need replacements all over the park, with only a couple of players coming out of this season with any credibility.

Martin Dubravka, despite a few errors, has kept us in far more games that we had right to be in. Both Bashir Humphries and Lesley Ugochukwu have shown moments of quality.

The main player - the one we miss so terribly - is Josh Cullen. I could have happily taken all 11 off after that first half against Sunderland and would not have complained about seeing a group of Sunday league players in their place.

I am not sure even three more players would make a difference. So I get the justification for saving our money.

We are already preparing for life in the Championship - again - and it is all just so very predictable and sad.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Paul: Another great response to a disappointing defeat away from home. The players who are back from Afcon were great and we looked strong across the park. A lot said about Burnley being poor, but I believe our high press and intensity in winning the ball contributed to them looking second best.

Mason: A performance full of energy, in contrast to the last match at West Ham. Habib Diarra brought much-needed intensity to the team and some of the football was a joy to watch. If only we had a clinical goal merchant to put away those gilt-edged chances, though Brian Brobbey's hold-up play was excellent. Burnley were poor so it's difficult to judge how good a Sunderland display that was.

Tommo: Amazing night, three goals and a clean sheet. What more is there to say?

David: How refreshing to see midfielders run directly at the opposition, get a shot away and reap the rewards. Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi looked bright on their return and they're forming an immediate connection with the ever-improving beast Brobbey. Another smart day off the pitch and great night on it for the club. The future is bright, the future is red and white.

Burnley fans

Andy: The word for our display was insipid. All season long, there has been no block, poor decisions and no - or little - desire to play and win. There is no fight - they are almost like mercenaries. We don't learn from our mistakes, nor does Scott Parker, and definitely not our useless owners. We are doomed and I think the yo-yo years are over - unless something drastic occurs, it's League One and beyond. After 67 years of support I'm so depressed, thanks to this pathetic display.

Barry: Absolutely woeful. We lack passion as well as quality. Poor signings, or lack of, and questionable tactics are putting us back to where we belong in the Championship. If we don't change things quickly then, sadly, we may not be good enough for that league.

John: Angry that the team has disintegrated to this, but mainly embarrassed.

David: This was a deeply disappointing performance, not just because of the result, but because of how passive and predictable we looked throughout the game. There was a real lack of intensity, both in and out of possession. We never imposed ourselves, never made Sunderland uncomfortable, and for long spells it felt like we were reacting rather than competing. What's most frustrating is the absence of a clear attacking identity, not one attempt on target! We didn't lose fighting, we lost without ever really landing a punch.

Mark: Was a very painful watch for 90 minutes. The team had no fight or even knew what to do. We just let them run the game. Parker should go now - either get sacked or hand in his resignation. We're so poor and he hasn't got the technical tactics for the Premier League. He is as bad as Vincent Kompany was.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

If one moment summed up a listless Burnley performance it would be, when they were awarded a first-half free-kick midway inside the Sunderland half.

If it was not bad enough that they had conceded a sixth goal inside the opening 10 minutes of a league game this term, Burnley - having loaded the home penalty area with players to attack an expected delivery - instead went short. And they immediately conceded a free-kick in return when Florentino Luis blocked Chemsdine Talbi's attempt to close down the ball outside the box.

Sadly for Burnley supporters it was far from an isolated moment of poor decision-making which contributed to them failing to register a single effort on target.

Nor was it restricted to the way they tried to attack, with their attempts to play out from the back repeatedly inviting pressure and providing Sunderland with several opportunities to increase the margin of their victory.

With the basics of game management sadly lacking, far from leaving the Stadium of Light with hope, Burnley's prospects of Premier League survival appear to be an even gloomier proposition.

Burnley manager Scott Parker, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Really disappointed. We come to a tough place tonight, which we knew. We didn't really give ourselves a chance, really. The ingredients you need coming here, the real basics of the game, we fell way short.

"It surprised me. I've probably been here a couple of times this year where they've surprised me coming off the back of some good performances. Maybe it's easy to come out the back of Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs, but tonight we were way short.

"I didn't see this performance coming, certainly where we've come from in terms of performances and the results we picked up. We were way, way short of ever being competitive in this division.

"I don't care who you play, if you're going to fall down where we fell short in terms of a lack of intent in everything we did at times...It looked passive at every phase. For that, you get dealt with what you get dealt with."

Burnley defender Kyle Walker, speaking to Sky Sports on what he makes of his side's performance: "Terrible. We've come here to get something from the game and got nothing, so as a club that's fighting for survival it's not acceptable.

"It's 22 men on a football pitch, it's about who wants it more, and they wanted it more than us.

"I'd say the hunger's there. The lads work hard day in, day out, the hunger's there, but sometimes football matches aren't won on hunger, they're won by using your head and playing the game of football.

"When certain situations arise in a game, you're meant to deal with them in a manner that's appropriate for that situation. We don't, for whatever reason, seem to do that."

Did you know?

• There have been 12 instances of a side failing to register a shot on target in a Premier League game this season with Burnley being responsible for four of those (more than any other team). Meanwhile, it was the first time Sunderland have prevented their opponents from landing a shot on target in a top-flight game since April 2016 v West Brom.

• Burnley have kept just one clean sheet in their last 38 away Premier League games, conceding at least once in each of their last 22 top-flight matches on the road.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland make two changes to the side that started their 3-1 Premier League defeat at West Ham on 24 January.

Eliezer Mayenda and Romaine Mundle drop to the bench with Habib Diarra andChemsdine Talbi coming in.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Ballard, Talbi, Brobbey, Alderete, Mandava, Diarra, Mukiele, Sadiki, Le Fee, Hume

Subs: Moore, Cirkin, Geertruida, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Mundle, Isidor, Jones

Burnley make one alteration to the starting XI from their 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the English top flight nine days ago, with Lyle Foster taking the place of Armando Broja

James Ward-Prowse, who joined the Clarets on loan from West Ham last week, is on the substitute's bench.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Esteve, Tuanzebe, Ugochukwu, Foster, Edwards, Athony, Humphreys, Florentino, Pires

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Tcaouna, Flemming, Ward-Prowse, Broja, Mejbri, Laurent

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Andie: We need a proven goalscorer at Premier League level - if only for the rest of our time in the Premier League. We make enough chances but fail to put them away game after game.

Fiona: We need someone who can score but decent strikers aren't for sale. So why are our best ones warming the bench? I'd get rid of the dregs of Kompany's spending spree as they're a waste of wages.

Phil: Not bother wasting money on transfers that will not serve them well in the championship next season. Offloading squad members that have not offer anything. Write off this season with a view to making lo ger term progress with recruitment and a cohesive plan.

Simon: We absolutely need a right-sided centre-back, but in an ideal world we would also be able to bring in another central midfielder and possibly either another winger or striker.

Andytom: We need a defender, a goalkeeper who controls his area, a defensive midfielder and a striker. All we have so far is Ward-Prowse and that is not enough. Both our academy sides are struggling so no help is coming from there. It looks like our horrible yo-yo existence will continue.

David: I'm so disappointed in Pace. He seems to think late deals are good, but in our predicament we needed signings early. Unfit signings are no good when you need them urgently. Unless we get a striker that knows where the goal is, we are done for. We have to win half our games left. We bought badly in the summer. Pace needs to sell up.

Ask us questions about Burnley and we'll put them to our experts

I relegated Wolves a few weeks back now - and I am afraid to say I think Burnley are down now too.

They performed with great spirit against Spurs when I was at Turf Moor last week, but it was another game they did not win.

Clarets boss Scott Parker said afterwards they need to change draws into victories, and of course he is right - but doing that is clearly difficult for them.

They were 2-1 up against Tottenham and so nearly got over the line for the first time since the end of October - but then came Cristian Romero's late equaliser, and you start to think they are never going to manage it.

Burnley have won only three league games all season, and one of them came at home to Sunderland in August.

The Black Cats will be without Granit Xhaka again, which is a big blow - they certainly missed him at West Ham.

But Sunderland's home form is still so impressive, and it would be a major turn-up if they dropped points here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

See how Sutton has done across the rest of the weekend

Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Get alerts and keep up to date with all the latest news, insight and fan views for your club

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Burnley are looking to complete their first league double over Sunderland since 1972-73 on Monday night. However, these two promoted sides have experienced contrasting fortunes since the Clarets won 2-0 at Turf Moor in August.

Stuttering Sunderland still have records in their sights

Sunderland's fantastic first half of the season has been tempered by two defeats in three matches, as many as in their previous 13. Head coach Regis le Bris lamented last week's performance away to West Ham as being "too far from our standards"; Sunderland were, unusually, outfought – a 42.3% duel success rate was their lowest of the season.

Nonetheless, the Black Cats are yet to fall to consecutive league losses this season and are the only side in the division still unbeaten at home. Their 11-match run without defeat equals the longest by a promoted team from the start of a Premier League, set by Ipswich in 1992-93.

The only promoted side to have a longer unbeaten home spell at any stage of a Premier League season is Birmingham City, spanning 15 games in 2009-10.

Notwithstanding their current wobble, a Sunderland win on Monday would put them on course for one of the highest Premier League tallies by a promoted team in a 38-game season.

Battling Burnley falling behind

Ten points from safety before the weekend, Burnley's immediate return to the Championship looks inevitable. They're still fighting – drawing five of their past seven league matches – but have gone 14 without a win since October. The Clarets have only once endured a longer top-flight winless run: 19 games, which ended way back in 1890.

The 2-0 home win over Sunderland in August is one of only six league fixtures in which Burnley have led this season. Too often, Scott Parker's side have been left playing catch-up – they have trailed in 19 matches, drawing five and losing 14.

Tottenham's late equaliser last weekend was the seventh league goal conceded by Burnley in the 90th minute or later this season. It leaves Scott Parker with a record of 12 wins, 44 defeats and 55 points from his 75 Premier League matches as a manager – only Mick McCarthy had a worse record at the same stage.

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.

How would you assess Burnley's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?

Get in touch with your views here

Burnley, along with Italian Serie A sides Juventus and Napoli, are interested in Raheem Sterling, who has left Chelsea by mutual agreement. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 20:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Zian Flemming and Joe Worrall will both be available for selection again after training with the squad all week.

• Parker said it is about "perspective" after conceding late against Tottenham on Saturday to draw at Turf Moor. He believes there is "good momentum" following three positive results but his side still "need more".

• On James Ward-Prowse joining Burnley on loan for the rest of the season, he said: "First and foremost, he'll bring quality. We've seen James play numerous games in the Premier League and he brings the know-how and can bring the level, in terms of what he represents and what he stands for. A very good addition for us. We needed cover in there with Josh [Cullen] coming out with a long-term injury. We'll see where he is over the coming days but we're pleased with that signing."

• He added: "In terms of set-plays he's an absolute expert so it definitely helps in that area, along with other areas. It would be unfair of me to only compliment James' ability on set-plays - he brings an all-round game - but, for sure, he will give us an added something in that area. That side of the game has gone up tenfold."

• Parker revealed Burnley are still trying to make transfers by deadline day (2 Feb). He explained the club are "definitely active" but, equally, don't want to bring in players who won't "improve the squad and just add numbers". The Clarets will also consider departures for players who need game time.

• Burnley remain 19th in the league table, seven points from safety, but Parker said they have to put that aside: "If you look at that table, it doesn't look pretty, but look at the fixtures coming up and ask yourself: 'Can you pick up some points and get some positive results?' Things can change very quickly and we've seen that over the course of this year. So that's how we go about it now and have no focus on the table at the moment."

• On facing Sunderland: "They've done incredibly - really well. They've obviously invested a huge amount of money and we're probably seeing a totally different squad to the one they were last year. The momentum for them earlier in the season where they picked up points has probably pushed them. It's a tough place and the stadium is hostile as well, so we know what we're coming up against - albeit a very different team. But, we've faced them already this year and got a positive result so we'll be ready."

Have you got a question about Burnley or is there a Clarets topic you want more information on? Get in touch here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on James Ward-Prowse being set to join Burnley on loan from West Ham, with the 31-year-old expected to undergo a medical on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: Ready made replacement for Cullen who might possibly be sidelined for rest of season. Strikes me as a positive move by Parker. Might not save us from relegation, but at least is a plus point.

Shaun: He would have been a good signing 5 years ago but we wouldn't have been able to afford him, I don't think he's got the legs to get about the pitch anymore.

Luke: Brilliant signing, although JWP will be expected to make an instant impact with 15 games remaining. We have to keep believing we can get out of this!

Lee: Ward-Prowse is not the solution we need. When a relegation rival is willing to loan you one of their players alarm bells should ring! If they don't want him, neither should we. Leeds bought in a proven goal scorer, that's what we need.

Neil: JWP would be a good signing to fill the gap left by Cullen's injury. Would be ruled out for WHU game which is a blow. Still need a goalscorer but then who doesn't. If we have desires to stay in the Premier league we need at least 3 signings. Back, middle & front.

Gav: Sound signing to cover Cullen. Still need a striker and centre back. I wouldn't throw money at it though as we're a banker for relegation.

David: The only down to this is his lack of playing time, experience should overcome that. Pity it's not permanent. We still need a striker!

Mark: Should be a good replacement for the injured Cullen. Plus, we need him for his set pieces which he has been known for in his carer. Hopefully we can get him match fit with him not playing much.

Image source, Getty Images

James Ward-Prowse's prospective loan move to Burnley from West Ham is edging closer, with the midfielder expected to undergo a medical on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old would bring with him a wealth of Premier League experience, having made 409 appearances across time with Southampton, Nottingham Forest and the Hammers, as well as winning 11 senior England caps.

However, he has not played a single minute for West Ham since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge in September.

Clarets fans, what do you make of the move? And where would Ward-Prowse fit into Scott Parker's system for the rest of the season?

Get in touch with your views here

Burnley are in talks with West Ham over signing 31-year-old English midfielder James Ward-Prowse on loan. (Telegraph), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For 45 minutes on Saturday, football felt normal again. I remembered what it felt like to properly celebrate a goal; I remembered the anticipation of winning a game; I felt passionate about a team and proud of a performance.

It was inevitable, really, that we would concede the equaliser - asking a defence that is poor at defending to drop deep and protect a lead was never going to end well. It is those kinds of decisions that have had me shaking my head in frustration at Scott Parker this season.

And I do question the point of playing five at the back if you are going to allow yourself to concede that many shots on your own goal.

But given that these moments have been few and far between this season, today we celebrate the positives. We were better than Tottenham Hotspur in that second half. We created chances and picked up the loose balls in midfield. We made good substitutions. And every one of the players put a shift in. When relegation is inevitably confirmed this season, I want to be able to say that we got that in every game from now on.

We are also in a weird place. We have just played three powerhouses from the Premier League – Manchester United and Spurs at Turf Moor, Liverpool away – and have drawn all three. On paper, three very impressive results.

But this has come far too late in the season to have any meaningful impact, as the Clarets find themselves significantly behind the survival line. We are told that we are learning and developing as a club and a team.

My counter to that would be that we have spent ten of the last 17 seasons in the topflight - should we not be closer to a prolonged spell in the Premier League by now?

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

If Burnley are going to make a managerial change they need to make it now otherwise you get to a point where it is pointless and you're not going to have enough time to turn things around.

I think that would be harsh on Scott Parker having got them up into the Premier League last season, but if we look at the Premier League table they are too far adrift to mount any serious attempts at staying up.

That's just the lay of the land in the Premier League. It's always going to be difficult for those teams coming up to stay up - history tells us that.

Leeds have been on a great run but with just one defeat and a loss of confidence they can easily be sucked back in.

It would be incredibly harsh for Burnley to get rid of Parker now but stranger things have happened.

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Graham: Almost....but not quite! The story of Burnley's season so far. Improved performance again, and a display of what Burnley fans expect; effort; courage; resilience. In the end, though, just not enough to get over the line. We're being cut adrift, and it's now going to take more than a little luck to survive.

Martin: We played well in fits and starts. Not good enough for the Premier League and too good for the Championship, but that's where we are heading. Could this be another team rebuild or can we keep most of the squad together? I'm still not sure about Scott Parker, is he good enough? We really needed better strikers from the beginning of the season.

John: Burnley just blew their chance of going above West Ham next week. Three points from this game would have been massive.

Steve: So frustrating watching Burnley this season. There are bouts of great tackling and closing down, but too many times we give the ball away with poor passes or dwell on the ball and lose possession. Armando Broja has worked hard but he had three through balls and didn't covert one! We will keep plugging away but we are in this grey place of being too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League.

Tottenham fans

Ray: The team on the pitch was well qualified to beat Burnley. Our lack of class and cutting edge up front is a massive problem. This is why Cristian Romero takes it upon himself to act as a striker at times. Many teams in the league have injuries so we can't keep hiding behind this excuse. We need to concentrate more.

Kevin: Micky van de Ven and Romero will get the plaudits for scoring goals, however, they need to start defending. Both goals were completely avoidable with a little communication. There is not a true leader in that team. Tactically I've noticed all season that we don't get players out wide to stop crosses, so that has to be on Thomas Frank. Teams with similar injury issues either have the quality to compete, or the guts to dig in, and this team has neither.

Barry: We should look at the players as well as Frank. He picked eight of the players that played against Borussia Dortmund and they looked like chalk and cheese. Why they can't play two consecutive matches well is a question that needs answering.

Raj: The players battled hard and are clearly trying, as is Frank, but it clearly isn't working. No clear strategy or vision of how to play in the final third which is why goals are lacking and games are not won. The team look lost once they get into the opposition box. Sadly, Frank needs to go as he's in over his head.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-0 Wolves

• Burnley 2-2 Tottenham

• Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool