Burnley Post Match

[dave the caveman]

Oh come off it, when we've had our bad run lately everyone has been poor. I'm not sure if this was tongue in cheek or not but it's ****ing stupid. You're clearly looking for a link and to make him scapegoat, last week everyone was absolutely hammering PVA too but today he has put in an awesome performance, which Bruma has done with us before too.

Let's just stop with the scapegoats, eh?

Our record in games Bruma has started is something like P6 W1 D1 L4. Meanwhile our record in the last six games that he has not started is more like P6 W5 D1 L0.

I'm not just now looking for a scapegoat, I've had him as my scapegoat ever since his arrival coincided with a sudden and complete reversal of form. I might be wrong. But look at the stats.

[Guest bennytwohats]

Our record in games Bruma has started is something like P6 W1 D1 L4. Meanwhile our record in the last six games that he has not started is more like P6 W5 D1 L0.

I'm not just now looking for a scapegoat, I've had him as my scapegoat ever since his arrival coincided with a sudden and complete reversal of form. I might be wrong. But look at the stats.

Hnggggggg. Yeah it probably is, but that is because he came in to the team when we went on a bad run. Even if you'd argue it was a contribution - are you telling me that Bruma is responsible for everyone else on the pitch playing badly?

I mean let's just cut the stats (which i firmly believe you can find the stats to back up anything if you really want to), i've been to these games and not once thought 'we're playing badly, this is ALL Bruma's fault'.

Argument that we have changed the defence too much - maybe, argument that it is the wrong defensive partnership - maybe, ALL Bruma's fault? nah, get a grip mate.

As i've said, he has put in a couple of immense performances too, he's been rightly praised and slated on here at times, but trying to make out he is solely responsible for our dip in form is truly caveman-esque - nothing that i saw made me think that, and i'm not about to change my opinion on that based on a few very select numbers that paint anything but the whole picture.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Just got back and I have to say that was the best I've seen in a good while, but I fear we will need to do that six more times to have the slightest chance of the play-offs. Totally bossed the game.

[Haydos]

I thought the ref had an absolute shocker today, it was a clear pen, he should have been sent off, the refs are against us, we didn....... oh wait, sorry folks, forgot to put my blinkers on

You really can find something shit to come up with even on the back of a 4-0 win. Unbelievable. What did you make of the game?

On another note, Kamara seems to be getting rave reviews today after positives against 'boro. Looking good for an exciting finish. Don't know what i'd do against Palace with regards to the defence. Think I'd be tempted to name an unchanged team. Naughton's been ill so might possibly still be recovering and I really don't like changing a team after such a solid performance. I know he's been our best player of late but it means a complete re-shuffle again if you slot him back in.

[Jackirius]

If you can look up two posts i already did most of that. But in summary:

Team performance - awesome. Standout performer - Kamara, movement was incredible and was always offering something, so comfortable on the ball - if today was anything to go by he could be immense.

They didn't really offer much, if anything tbh - so in that respect we shouldn't get too carried away by today, but we played very well nonetheless.

Screens were decent, i quite liked them but they're not gonna rock your world, seeing the odd replay was a bit of a novelty.

Thanks!

[MC Prussian]

What a burner.

Whether it was due to the weather or not, we started out slowly and a bit too careful, timid and/or disjointed, but as soon as our players discovered how bad Burnley were today, they set the new scoreboard on fire.

I didn't expect us to play this well against an immediate opponent also clinging onto one of the last few straws in the playoff picture and the first 20 or so minutes proved the point that no one wanted to risk too much. It was a drab match in the beginning, but our increasing dominance, all down to players truly motivated, guided the match in the right direction.

Initially, the central midfield disappointed me again, but it wasn't as bad compared to last Saturday's shocker. Oakley and Wellens in particular had a good game, and made hardly any errors.

What I missed was the pinch of focus needed to initiate attacks through the middle, King once more slipped under the radar and missed a grandiose chance in the first half, just shortly before Kamara, who impressed me once more with his ballhandling skills and movements, finished a nice one-two with Yakubu to beat Jensen inside the box.

Kamara, in some sort of hanging-back striker role, was ever-present, either by demanding passes when in open space or setting up others. He was the one who stepped in when others failed to impose their style of play onto the other team. You could spot Kamara on the left, in the middle or on the right, no Burnley player came close to control him.

To be fair and wanting to slag off my usual suspects, the entire central midfield all improved tenfold in the second half and Oakley, who oftentimes reminded me of a clueless bystander in past games, even won a nice tackle and a couple of headers!

The penalty call may have been a bit soft, but I've seen worse given. For our third, Gallagher dared what others failed to do so often in past games, he just gave it a shot from distance and was rewarded for his courage.

An outstanding attack towards the end of the game and an even more outstanding fourth goal, scored by Van Aanholt, acted as the literal icing on the cake.

Still, our standards are not up to standard. Numerous free-kicks and corners got wasted. But that's about the only statistical thing that slightly bothered me today.

At least Sven's once more newly-formed back four proved to be more than just solid. I can't recall a rash decision by either Van Aanholt, Bamba, Mee or Vitor. The latter in particular played really well as the replacement for Naughton on the right side. He might not be the fastest, but makes up for it in marking and heading ability.

Our defense also interacted calmly with Weale, no rushed back passes, everything was under control.

Gallagher's second settled the score for good and gave Howard, Vassell and Abe a nice opportunity to shine as substitutes. All three worked their socks off. Proper.

Then again, it was all made quite easy by a very, very tame Burnley side that showed occasional glimpses of tenacity in the first half, only to fade completely in the second. Their toothlessness allowed us to play the fancy passing game we all admire - you know, Barcelona CF Redux.

I was also surprised that referee Dean led the game the way it should be and came up with mostly correct calls - contrary to his reputation.

Now, bring on the Palace!

[Guy]

Gutted not to have been there as I've not seen City win in person since against Forest at home on November 29th, mainly as I'm exhiled in Devon and so have to be selective with the games that I see in person! Sounds as if Kamara was the difference in the main, can't beliive Fulham loaned him out!

[Corky]

Brilliant. Normally after home matches against Burnley I'm leaving the ground flat after a dire performance, not today thankfully.

A performance full of determination, spirit and quality, players wanted the ball, tried things and weren't afraid to shoot, as shown by the last two goals.

Kamara looks a class act, plenty of skill and battle about his game, Gallagher provided another positive show, Van Aanholt was solid and netted a beauty. Everyone played their part, the defence and Weale providing a sound base to build from, the midfield getting involved and the strikers linking very well together.

Cracking day.

[Adster]

I thought the ref had an absolute shocker today, it was a clear pen, he should have been sent off, the refs are against us, we didn....... oh wait, sorry folks, forgot to put my blinkers on

You're such a ****ing idiot.

We won 4-0, fvck the ref! No-one gives a shit.

For once quit your fvcking moaning you miserable shit.

[Craig]

You're such a ****ing idiot.

We won 4-0, fvck the ref! No-one gives a shit.

For once quit your fvcking moaning you miserable shit.

Whooooooooooooooosh

[Adster]

Whooooooooooooooosh

Sorry, I'm just bored of this kids negativity after an amazing performance.

I'm happy really

[Arkie Bennett]

After a tentative start, we came out of the shell and the opener was well-deserved, both for the team and for Kamara personally, who had shown bags of class. The penalty looked nailed on to me, and I think it demoralised Burnley, who had looked at their most threatening after half time. Gallagher's second was reminiscent of one earlier in the season from about the same blade of grass (can't recall the opposition), when he was allowed acres of space to set up a long range shot. The fourth was inevitable, as we were overwhelming Burnley by that stage, another long range shot, this time from Van Aanholt. I thought the whole team played well, no weak links at all. A special mention for Vitor, whose quality always shines through.

[Guy]

Sounded more like this time last season when we trounced now champions elect QPR by the same 4-0 scoreline, which was more or less a year ago and after a similarly bad run to now (incl. losing 3-0 away to WBA on Sky) . We then went on to reach the play offs rather effortlessly of course towards the end of last April/early May. Hope lightning strikes twice by doing so at a similar time this season too whereby more has been expected of us throughout since Sven's arrival, compared with Pearson's era - even though everything's a lot closer this season in the top 10 than last....

[Bugg]

If Wellens' shot that hit the bar had gone in, it would have been a contender for goal of the season.

[CKB]

Great result! i actually was so shattered i was asleep for the whole game and woke up checked we won 4-0 and thought i was dreaming, maybe i should sleep more through games?

Would be awesome to at least go on some run now and fight till the end which i was fearing we wouldn't, still could btw 1 win doesn't make a summer...

[The Year Of The Fox]

Lcfcbugg- correct.just seen it again on bbc1.

Anyone else get a hard on over PVAs goal?

[Haydos]

Lcfcbugg- correct.just seen it again on bbc1.

Anyone else get a hard on over PVAs goal?

Yeah, top class finish. I'm in love with Kingy's lay off.

[BoneDog]

The lay off and finish were classy for PVA's goal.

Gallaghers 2nd was a beauty too. What a strike.

Shame Wellens effort hit the bar, would have been another beauty!

[Tommeh]

6 games left, play anyhing like that we'll win them all, and probably tear the play-offs to pieces aswell but we all know football isn't like that.

One thing that did stand out for me today and that was how much more space, time and involvement King had with Kamara dropping in and committing players. Last few games the former has been completely sussed out, hardly involved and hasn't really looked like hitting his season scoring heights. However today, with a bit more confidence he'd have had a hat-rick, really encouraged by that.

3 points on Tuesday and suddenly we'll get all giddy again.

[Guest MarshallForEngland]

After a tentative start, we came out of the shell and the opener was well-deserved, both for the team and for Kamara personally, who had shown bags of class. The penalty looked nailed on to me, and I think it demoralised Burnley, who had looked at their most threatening after half time. Gallagher's second was reminiscent of one earlier in the season from about the same blade of grass (can't recall the opposition), when he was allowed acres of space to set up a long range shot. The fourth was inevitable, as we were overwhelming Burnley by that stage, another long range shot, this time from Van Aanholt. I thought the whole team played well, no weak links at all. A special mention for Vitor, whose quality always shines through.

Please tell me there's an award for using the most clichés in a single post.

[MC Prussian]

Didn't really see much of him yesterday (again), but credit to King for setting up Van Aanholt's goal.

[Corky]

I thought King had a good game, his finishing was surprisingly off but he got involved in the middle and got stuck in, which has been a criticism of him in the past.

[Matt]

Played well, enjoyable game, shame that the time we actually win a few of the results didn't go our way, but they could have been worse, we're still clinging on in there, I still don't think we'll make the playoffs but am still trying to fool myself, this time next week we could be in there and dreaming once again!

[Starkwell]

Superb stuff. I still dislike our reliance on having loan signings as key players though. Just doesn't sit right with me.

Hey ho, 4-0, who cares.

But you have to remember that sven did not have a preseason and during the transfer window he obviously felt that making key signings then was not the right thing to do for the team or the bank balance. I'm pretty sure next season will be very different as far as sven having his key men signed to the club.

[ScouseFox]

Burnley's fans were horrifically bad as well. Worst I've seen at the Walkers.