Burnley Player Ratings

[Thracian]

Or maybe, just maybe, rather than binning him like last night's leftovers, Ollie should remind him he is a class player, and we the fans should show him some support. Clemence is a very good player, however I suspect he is exhausted by all the changes in manager, and has now put in a couple of poor performances and is losing his confidence.

Class is permanent, form is temporary.

He's not seemed right after his injury. Sounds to me like he needs some time on the bench but I imagine, as club captain, people don't think like that.

Clemence, I imagine, has a nailed on starting place apart from exceptional circumstances which is a pity because while there may be reasons for his current underperformance I've yet to see anything which would justify the accolades he arrived with.

Indeed, were everyone fit, he'd be my third choice central midfield player at the moment and I don't think our midfield is anything like good enough which disappoints me cos I thought it would be our strength.

Wesolowski remains worryingly injury prone, Clemence has never really shone and King, fast looking our best in the position, still remains a novice who needs to build up his speed, stamina and influence steadily.

[Geo V]

He's not seemed right after his injury. Sounds to me like he needs some time on the bench but I imagine, as club captain, people don't think like that.

Clemence, I imagine, has a nailed on starting place apart from exceptional circumstances which is a pity because while there may be reasons for his current underperformance I've yet to see anything which would justify the accolades he arrived with.

Indeed, were everyone fit, he'd be my third choice central midfield player at the moment and I don't think our midfield is anything like good enough which disappoints me cos I thought it would be our strength.

Wesolowski remains worryingly injury prone, Clemence has never really shone and King, fast looking our best in the position, still remains a novice who needs to build up his speed, stamina and influence steadily.

You don't drop your club captain who was arguably the best player for us early season. He needs match time and we need a settled team unit with players playing in there correct position and we will come good. Chambers, Kenton or even Newton in midfield is suicidal as is playing others out of position.

You obviously are eluding to playing Weso and King in midfield despite neither setting the team alight. Weso hasn't looked himself since returning from injury either and should be paired with Clemence in the hope that they will rekindle there blossoming partnership of early season.

[bald reynard]

WHICH Chambers was on the bench (and came on - and did OK ?) last night - Ashley or James ?

[Manwell Pablo]

You don't drop your club captain who was arguably the best player for us early season. He needs match time and we need a settled team unit with players playing in there correct position and we will come good. Chambers, Kenton or even Newton in midfield is suicidal as is playing others out of position.

You obviously are eluding to playing Weso and King in midfield despite neither setting the team alight. Weso hasn't looked himself since returning from injury either and should be paired with Clemence in the hope that they will rekindle there blossoming partnership of early season.

I agree with Thracian, we should drop Clemance and play King and Weso for a game, so how it works.

If it's awfull at least it will shut him up.

[Thracian]

You don't drop your club captain who was arguably the best player for us early season. He needs match time and we need a settled team unit with players playing in there correct position and we will come good. Chambers, Kenton or even Newton in midfield is suicidal as is playing others out of position.

You obviously are eluding to playing Weso and King in midfield despite neither setting the team alight. Weso hasn't looked himself since returning from injury either and should be paired with Clemence in the hope that they will rekindle there blossoming partnership of early season.

Clemence has never looked our best player when I've seen him.

Weso has hardly played between his injuries but has been easily our best midfielder so far when he has been fit.

King might not have shone especially but in his restricted appearances and considering the restricted role he was asked to play at first he's done his job efficiently and is now starting to have greater effect on games as well.

[BedsFox]

I don't post a lot but as I travelled up from M1 J13 to Burnley and back, 7 hour round trip I thought I would make the effort this time

Fulop 8...Two crucial saves, especially the 1-on-1 block in the last ten minutes. Solid, dependable, our MOTM

Maybury 5. We looked more solid when he went to RB having started at RM in front of Stearman. Not any attacking threat of course, and not match fit

McAuley 7 Our best defender. Never put a foot wrong

Kisnorbo 6 I think he is the one exposed without the N'Gotty "safety blanket" back there. Also had yet another free header from a Sheehan Free kick that he did not convert

Mattock 6. Both our full backs had their hands full with Burnley's excellent wingers Elliott and Lafferty. Coped ok, vital block from Carlisle in the dying minutes

Stearman 7. I'm not his greatest fan but to be fair he added something at RM, notably getting to the by-line to put the cross across for the goal. At RB he looked extremely uneasy against Elliott. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a spell at RM now, his drive was impressive.

Clemence 5. Another poor game. He's a holding midfielder thats out of form and being asked to be the creative player.

Kenton 6. Solid enough, not going to create a lot but did his job

Sheehan 5. Set peices were disappointing and one run apart no threat in open play. A left back obviously but both away matches Ollie has now played Joe and Alan, probably to be solid first and foremost

Cort 7 A good match, good hold up play. Clearly not fully fit but tried hard, also pressured the keeper on Stearman's cross for the goal

Hume 6 Another short of form and confidence. Very poor game, then popped up in a load of space for the goal, hence a 6 not a 4 or something!

Chambers 6. Going to be a good one I think.

King 6 Ditto. Both subs did ok, adding some pace and control to proceedings

A good point against a Burnley side I thought were decent. In Kyle lafferty on the left wing they had a real threat, and they played some good stuff

Its easy to see why we do better away..we have the personnel to soak up pressure and nick a goal but at home, having to create and make the running, we struggle.

In the transfer window I would like to see this rectified..creative midfileder, right sided midfielder and pacey target man are the priorities I feel

Now off to read the other ratings....

[harpendenfox]

I think it's more tactical / attitudinal in midfield. I've always felt more comfortable with a defensive centre mid and an attacking cenre mid. I think it has to be one of Clem and Weso sitting deep, with King pushing forward. I don't know if the boy can do it yet, but I'm not sure we have any other option. He can clearly hit a great rolling ball, as evidenced on Saturday. I really hoped that would give him some belief, but I didn't see him do much in the second half.

Sadly Clem and Weso are too alike, and seem to occupy the same (defensive) ground. I think they are both good players. I would stick with Clem behind King for the moment, with Hume on the right, and Sheehan on the left. Obviously we can only do that when two of Fryatt / Cort / Campbell / John are fit and available.

[Geo V]

Clemence has never looked our best player when I've seen him.

Weso has hardly played between his injuries but has been easily our best midfielder so far when he has been fit.

King might not have shone especially but in his restricted appearances and considering the restricted role he was asked to play at first he's done his job efficiently and is now starting to have greater effect on games as well.

As Ive said many times ive been away for a good few weeks so am not totally upto full speed of things but have we played a 442 with Clemence and Weso since they returned from injury or have the likes of Kneton played in the middle of the park? Football teams need balance and early season Clemence started to look class and Weso a handful when they were paired together.

I`d like to see that partnership rekindled before we all sling it on the scrapheap as one that doesn't work.

[Thracian]

As Ive said many times ive been away for a good few weeks so am not totally upto full speed of things but have we played a 442 with Clemence and Weso since they returned from injury or have the likes of Kneton played in the middle of the park? Football teams need balance and early season Clemence started to look class and Weso a handful when they were paired together.

I`d like to see that partnership rekindled before we all sling it on the scrapheap as one that doesn't work.

Good to see you back by the way!

[Tommeh]

Those marks seem to concur with others and the general impression from travelling fans was a lot more complimentary than the radio commentary.

Two things I find hard to understand.

a) That the travelling fans sound relatively happy after a match which Colin Gibson and co suggested we might have lost between 8-1 and 12-1. Was it really as bad as the commentators implied?

b) Although I'm pleased for him and don't for a minute think he's deserved the stick he's had, Cort played his sixth Leaqgue match for us and has still failed to score a goal. Yet he collects an eight.

Don't misunderstand me. I accept he had a decent game. But can any striker rate an eight when he doesn't score? Was he really that good or were people offering a bit of support after a lot of unwarranted stick? That's a question not an implied criticism.

Absolute bollocks

We've got a hard earned point, we move on. 1st half we were terrible infact the whole ground felt like one of those family funnight reserve games at filbo it was dire. 2nd half we were much better and I always got the feeling we would score.

Are you trying to tell me Hume should have got 8 just because he scored? Hume was very pooor once again. He very rarely threatened and often left Cort isolated. Nobodys giving Cort an 8 out of pity or anything, he did warrant at least a 7 and for me and many others an 8.

I accept out home form is terrible but the fact we've only lost 1 away in the league all season which was Charlton certainly tells us that away from the walkers we are doing many things right, not always playing Brazil style football but at least picking up points.

[The Stig]

Congratulations Carl Cort, lets hope he keeps it up.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Absolute bollocks

We've got a hard earned point, we move on. 1st half we were terrible infact the whole ground felt like one of those family funnight reserve games at filbo it was dire. 2nd half we were much better and I always got the feeling we would score.

Are you trying to tell me Hume should have got 8 just because he scored? Hume was very pooor once again. He very rarely threatened and often left Cort isolated. Nobodys giving Cort an 8 out of pity or anything, he did warrant at least a 7 and for me and many others an 8.

I accept out home form is terrible but the fact we've only lost 1 away in the league all season which was Charlton certainly tells us that away from the walkers we are doing many things right, not always playing Brazil style football but at least picking up points.

Good stuff, especially the last paragraph. W1 D3 L0 away from home with the injuries and instability we've had and got is an excellent record.

[The People's Hero]

Good stuff, especially the last paragraph. W1 D3 L0 away from home with the injuries and instability we've had and got is an excellent record.

I agree with Fez. Fez is m'boy.

[Thracian]

Good stuff, especially the last paragraph. W1 D3 L0 away from home with the injuries and instability we've had and got is an excellent record.

No-one has criticised the record specifically and, were our home form half decent, that away record would be much welcome. Sadly it isn't.

And, considering that, I fail to see what 10 draws in 19 matches so far this season is going to do for us except, perhaps, help us avoid relegation - hardly the extent of our ambitions from what Mandaric used to say.

I asked certain perfectly serious questions and said that there seemed precious little merit in winning a point from a performance where we had one or two chances all told, played nine defenders and might have been five down by half-time and lost by a landslide overall.

If you think it praiseworthy then we have a totally different outlook and totally different expectations.

But then I realise from going to so many away games where we've shown no ambition at all that quite a few among the travelling hardcore of fans really don't give a toss about the quality of our football so long as we dig in.

That we dug in and stole a point last night is all that really matters and to a material extent that is right.

But I'd say it reflects how much is wrong when a Leicester City team feels so intimidated by Burnley that they have to mount a near double strength blanket defence. To me it shows graphically how far downhill we've gone. And last night's approach shows how little effort we've done or are doing to change that approach.

Even with a dozen players injured our squad of around 35 should be able to furnish adequate replacements but it can't - and that, while being no criticism of Holloway, only emphasises the disgraceful truth about our decision making over recent months.

Were last night a one-off I'd understand but it wasn't. We did much the same last year (and won!").

There's always excuses and it's always tomorrow but it seems to me that Leicester City haven't got the will or the nerve to change. Even campaigning for a change isn't welcome. It's like fans feel they're somehow more worthy for being able to endure such a miserable excuse for football.

And gradually of course - as people who don't want to put up with such football disappear - the club is left (like others) with it's hardcore of fans like an exclusive membership. Unfortunately that hardcore won't be enough to keep the club viable.

There's nothing to be gained having a club for 400 diehards. We need to appeal to others to be successful. People who have other choices and will only watch Leicester City if it's the most exciting or at least an exciting option. People who's kids will be bored and would rather go somewhere else if their team's football is going to be naff.

I know I waste my breath.

But that's no reason not to try.

[Fez of Mahrez]

No-one has criticised the record specifically and, were our home form half decent, that away record would be much welcome. Sadly it isn't.

And, considering that, I fail to see what 10 draws in 19 matches so far this season is going to do for us except, perhaps, help us avoid relegation - hardly the extent of our ambitions from what Mandaric used to say.

I asked certain perfectly serious questions and said that there seemed precious little merit in winning a point from a performance where we had one or two chances all told, played nine defenders and might have been five down by half-time and lost by a landslide overall.

If you think it praiseworthy then we have a totally different outlook and totally different expectations.

But then I realise from going to so many away games where we've shown no ambition at all that quite a few among the travelling hardcore of fans really don't give a toss about the quality of our football so long as we dig in.

That we dug in and stole a point last night is all that really matters and to a material extent that is right.

But I'd say it reflects how much is wrong when a Leicester City team feels so intimidated by Burnley that they have to mount a near double strength blanket defence. To me it shows graphically how far downhill we've gone. And last night's approach shows how little effort we've done or are doing to change that approach.

Even with a dozen players injured our squad of around 35 should be able to furnish adequate replacements but it can't - and that, while being no criticism of Holloway, only emphasises the disgraceful truth about our decision making over recent months.

Were last night a one-off I'd understand but it wasn't. We did much the same last year (and won!").

There's always excuses and it's always tomorrow but it seems to me that Leicester City haven't got the will or the nerve to change. Even campaigning for a change isn't welcome. It's like fans feel they're somehow more worthy for being able to endure such a miserable excuse for football.

And gradually of course - as people who don't want to put up with such football disappear - the club is left (like others) with it's hardcore of fans like an exclusive membership. Unfortunately that hardcore won't be enough to keep the club viable.

There's nothing to be gained having a club for 400 diehards. We need to appeal to others to be successful. People who have other choices and will only watch Leicester City if it's the most exciting or at least an exciting option. People who's kids will be bored and would rather go somewhere else if their team's football is going to be naff.

I know I waste my breath.

But that's no reason not to try.

For someone who posts on this forum you seem fairly oblivious to the many, many young people who post on here who will form our fanbase in future, who we will need when the current crop of Saga outing, Fox Leisure grannies die out. The likes of Tommeh, Bert, Maybes, Tevez to take the example of some people who went to last night's game and many more who I saw at Bristol City or Charlton or even bloody Plymouth - who are actually realistic about football and won't throw their toys out of the pram if we don't play like Manchester United every single week.

I've had to come back from Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday to name two this season and put up with people on here moaning about having to listen to us defending on Radio Leicester and it annoyed the hell out of me. These players aren't fantastic but as fans we do demand effort and if you get that and we get something out of a difficult game, then thank you very much and let's move on.

It seems to me that the only way that you or anyone else can "campaign for change" (that cracks me up every time, you're posting on an internet messageboard, not walking round the Walkers before matches wearing a sandwich board with "Attack Attack Attack" written on it, as entertaining as that would be) effectively is to support and encourage the players at home games and create a positive atmosphere at the Walkers for once. We've had so much moaning on here since the Southampton game and where does it get anyone?

[mancunianfox]

Fulop 8...Two crucial saves, especially the 1-on-1 block in the last ten minutes. Solid, dependable, our MOTM

Maybury 5. We looked more solid when he went to RB having started at RM in front of Stearman. Not any attacking threat of course, and not match fit

McAuley 7 Our best defender. Never put a foot wrong

Kisnorbo 6 I think he is the one exposed without the N'Gotty "safety blanket" back there. Also had yet another free header from a Sheehan Free kick that he did not convert

Mattock 6. Both our full backs had their hands full with Burnley's excellent wingers Elliott and Lafferty. Coped ok, vital block from Carlisle in the dying minutes

Stearman 7. I'm not his greatest fan but to be fair he added something at RM, notably getting to the by-line to put the cross across for the goal. At RB he looked extremely uneasy against Elliott. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a spell at RM now, his drive was impressive.

Clemence 5. Another poor game. He's a holding midfielder thats out of form and being asked to be the creative player.

Kenton 6. Solid enough, not going to create a lot but did his job

Sheehan 5. Set peices were disappointing and one run apart no threat in open play. A left back obviously but both away matches Ollie has now played Joe and Alan, probably to be solid first and foremost

Cort 7 A good match, good hold up play. Clearly not fully fit but tried hard, also pressured the keeper on Stearman's cross for the goal

Hume 6 Another short of form and confidence. Very poor game, then popped up in a load of space for the goal, hence a 6 not a 4 or something!

Chambers 6. Going to be a good one I think.

King 6 Ditto. Both subs did ok, adding some pace and control to proceedings

In the transfer window I would like to see this rectified..creative midfileder, right sided midfielder and pacey target man are the priorities I feel

Absolutely spot on with your assessment and with what we need to bring in in January. I would probably drop Kenton and Clemence one point though. I was with the home fans (mate is a Burnley ST holder, free ticket too hard to turn down with christmas coming up) and while Burnley were the better team we did exactly what most teams do to us at the Walkers. Good point, but I was expecting us to win as Burnley are as bad at Turf Moor as we are at home.

[Finnegan]

Credit where its due, sounds like Cort had a good game tonight, now can all the boo boys come out and say well done?

Thought not.

Yeah I justified the booing and yeah I still do, doubly so if it had an effect. I'm standing by what I said about Cort in the last game - he looked disinterested, lazy, unprofessional and uncommitted and that - more than the fact he was rubbish - was my problem with him. If his heart and soul was really there yesterday then I'll happily stand up, take my hat off and wish the lad the best.

[Trumpet]

Credit where its due, sounds like Cort had a good game tonight, now can all the boo boys come out and say well done?

Thought not.

I cant, as i didnt go. I may be proven wrong at Wolves, old club n that

[Tevez]

Help!! What was the song before the players come out? I think it's been on sky sports news!

[Thracian]

For someone who posts on this forum you seem fairly oblivious to the many, many young people who post on here who will form our fanbase in future, who we will need when the current crop of Saga outing, Fox Leisure grannies die out. The likes of Tommeh, Bert, Maybes, Tevez to take the example of some people who went to last night's game and many more who I saw at Bristol City or Charlton or even bloody Plymouth - who are actually realistic about football and won't throw their toys out of the pram if we don't play like Manchester United every single week.

I've had to come back from Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday to name two this season and put up with people on here moaning about having to listen to us defending on Radio Leicester and it annoyed the hell out of me. These players aren't fantastic but as fans we do demand effort and if you get that and we get something out of a difficult game, then thank you very much and let's move on.

It seems to me that the only way that you or anyone else can "campaign for change" (that cracks me up every time, you're posting on an internet messageboard, not walking round the Walkers before matches wearing a sandwich board with "Attack Attack Attack" written on it, as entertaining as that would be) effectively is to support and encourage the players at home games and create a positive atmosphere at the Walkers for once. We've had so much moaning on here since the Southampton game and where does it get anyone?

It's impossible for me to get to all games (and I wouldn't want to given the way we set out to play at some away venues) but I'd imagine I'll attend as many Leicester fixtures as most this season when you take in reserves and academy matches and can assure you that I always do my fair share of singing, encouraging and cajolling.

I've also done as much as I can to encourage the promotion of Academy graduates like Sheehan, King, Porter, Chambers, Logan, Gradel and others during that time and have rarely resorted to criticising any of our players in matches, never mind booing them.

Don't try suggesting that my anger stems from us not playing the likes of Manchester United. I'm happy to drive to the Stadium of Light to watch the Academy play Sunderland, to see the reserves play Wolves Reserves at Telford or see Accrington in the drizzle of Lancashire as plenty on here well know, and that's just for starters.

But I stand by what I've said and the reasons I've said it. If you're happy with us fielding nine defenders at Burnley then you have my respect but don't expect me to condone it or support it cos I won't. There was no excuse for it at all in my mind.

I've stood my ground for years concerning Leicester's need to be far more attacking if they want to be successful and I'm damned sure I'm not going to change that view based on the results and performances of the recent eras amd our singular lack of success.

[Muz]

Fulop 8 - Kept us in it.

Stearman 4 - Dreary.

McAuley 7 - Solid.

Kisnorbo 6 - Always looks like he's gonna make a foul.

Mattock 6 - Always tried to support the attack.

Maybury 4 - I remember why he hadn't played for us for so long.

Clemence 4 - Woeful. What was he playing at tonight.

Kenton 5 - Did ok, out of position a lot.

Sheehan 5 - very frustrating tonight, he isn't a left winger.

Cort 8 - MOTM* Different granules, class touches, skill, looked good tonight.

Hume 6.5 - Still out of sorts, good finish though.

Kingy 6 - Gave us what we were badly lacking.

Chambers 6 - Did ok, some decent runs and nice touches.

Totally agree

[Tevez]

Alright Muz, was you with Bert, Maybes and Wilkes?

[Phube]

Hmmm... just watched the highlights... well goals on EMT!!

Nice to see all the Stearman haters forgetting he set up the goal with a quality right wing cross!!!

[Muz]

Alright Muz, was you with Bert, Maybes and Wilkes?

Yeah and my missus. Who gave me a right uppercut when we scored

[Tevez]

Hmmm... just watched the highlights... well goals on EMT!!

Nice to see all the Stearman haters forgetting he set up the goal with a quality right wing cross!!!

Thought it was Andy King?