Selections on Sunday

[alwaysaclaret]

Obviously too early for a prediction on the starting 11 but listening to kompanys interview's and looking at the way he held he's hands up and he's face told a tale. For the first time maybe he realises it can't go on, relegation or not.
Given Brownhill's 1 game absence, he's out of the equation, Ramsey injured, Odobert was reportedly poor on Saturday, Roberts on loan, zaroury on loan, I guess he's options have become a bit limited.

So could we see Cork /Cullen, could we see tresor ?

Kompany by he's own admission has said the pass to Brownhill should never have been played, the reason muric isn't in the team in the first place is because of similar mistakes, so where does he go on that one, given that Trafford had options both sides before he dallied and released to Brownhill.

And lastly given Gudmundsson is providing little on the right, could we at last see Benson.

Also what was the reason for the Taylor/ Vitinho change ?

Or does he just carry on being blinkered.

[Jamesy]

Your last sentence is how it will be.

[bobinho]

I’m interested to hear more of the “Muric isnt in the team because of similar mistakes” tale….I’m just wondering where that’s come from? Can’t imagine VK saying that, if he has, I’ve missed it.

[She]

Why change now?
It's over
Been that way since Christmas

[alwaysaclaret]

I’m interested to hear more of the “Muric isnt in the team because of similar mistakes” tale….I’m just wondering where that’s come from? Can’t imagine VK saying that, if he has, I’ve missed it.

Didn't say he'd said it, but that's how it seems. Why else would it be.

[ISpeds00]

Why change now?
It's over
Been that way since Christmas

He has to - or he'll get crucified at the turf by the local boo boys

Nothing to lose - Play the ones that havent been given a chance

[Woodleyclaret]

Muric
Assignor OShea Esteve Taylor or if injured Delcroix
Benson Cork Berge Odobert
Jayrod Fofana

[She]

Muric
Assignor OShea Esteve Taylor or if injured Delcroix
Benson Cork Berge Odobert
Jayrod Fofana

I wonder if they will let me change my prediction in the Premier league Prediction league from a creditable 2-2 draw to a 0-6 defeat?

[Woodleyclaret]

A wining team selection why would we loose?

[Murger]

Cullen for Brownhill will be the only change. In his entire tenure, VK has shown he hasn’t got the balls to make big changes.

[Pickles]

I'm finding it difficult to care, maybe for the first time ever as a Burnley fan. Doesn't matter much if we have a midfield two or three; not much difference if it's Odobert or Gudmundsson; wouldn't change much if Taylor or Delcroix.

Doesn't even matter if we win.

Pure apathy at the moment and don't take much pleasure in admitting that.

Don't mind us being rubbish, don't mind us going down. We're Burnley fans afterall. We hardly expect or demand success as a fan base. We know our football.

But the wishy-washy, limp, heads down, shoulders hunched, strolling around, clueless football we've had to endure... There's just nothing for us as supporters to hang on to, to get behind. Regardless of personnel.

Anyway. UTC.

[randomclaret2]

Cullen for Brownhill will be the only change. In his entire tenure, VK has shown he hasn’t got the balls to make big changes.

Apart from completely changing last seasons Championship winning team

[bobinho]

Didn't say he'd said it, but that's how it seems. Why else would it be.

My point is that it isn’t “how it seems”. For that to be the case, Muric would have to have played, and made the similar mistakes you state he has. Neither of those two things have happened.

[Boss Hogg]

I’d expect starts for Trafford and Amdouni. Their starting places were welll earned for the last match. Probably swap the absent Brownhill for Tresor to beef us up a bit. If it’s not working keep doing the same thing.

[Rileybobs]

Cullen for Brownhill will be the only change. In his entire tenure, VK has shown he hasn’t got the balls to make big changes.

Not sure you've thought this one through.

[Murger]

So this season when it’s needed changing, has he?

[Rileybobs]

So this season when it’s needed changing, has he?

Now you're moving the goalposts. You said in his entire tenure he has shown he hasn't got the balls to make big changes, which is obviously not true. Even this season he dropped Cullen fairly early in the season.

[Tricky Trevor]

He won’t but at our standard in the PL we need 3 in midfield.
Muric
Assignon..O’Shea..Esteve..Taylor
Cullen..Cork..Berge
Benson..Fofana..Odobert

With Benson and Odobert staying upfield a bit more than our wide players do now. The extra wide midfield man can slide out dependant on which side the oppo are attacking down.
Cullen and Cork can both sit as ball winners and Berge has license to support the attack.

[alwaysaclaret]

My point is that it isn’t “how it seems”. For that to be the case, Muric would have to have played, and made the similar mistakes you state he has. Neither of those two things have happened.

Look, I'm in the muric in camp, and the only thing I can assume is that muric didn't start the season as he should have done "should have been he's shirt to lose" because of similar mistakes he made early last season, however, he was voted championship keeper of the season for a reason, he's improvement was immense and we may arguably not have been promoted had he not been between the sticks, and I'm fully behind that, so basically I'm basing kompanys decision to start with Trafford on those facts, but Trafford has made mistakes all season, so on that basis muric would be my 1st choice atm, he may not be the answer but at least give him a run of games to prove himself.

[claretspice]

At this level i don't think it's credible to start with Benson and Odobert as wide players. They don't support the full back enough - even if we play with a central midfield 3. Personally I think the root of many of our problems has been a tendency to play with Odobert and Amdouni who are passengers defensively. You can get away with one but not with two.

With Ramsey also injured our midfield options are not great. But I think I'd go with:

-------------------Muric
Assignon OShea Delcroix Taylor
JBL Berge Cullen Odobert
--------------JBG
-------------Fofana.


Trafford hasn't done as much wrong as many suggest but fir his own protection he needs taking out of the firing line. Esteve looks to me to be a work in progress and I think JBG will add more to our work without the ball as the third central midfielder. JBL isn't the most aggressive winger to play for Burnley but he provides a better balance at this level than Benson for me.

[bobinho]

Nobody more surprised than me to see Trafford start the season for us, especially v Man City. Maybe i shouldn’t have been considering how much we paid for Trafford…. Not sure anyone in the bottom half of the PL could afford that money for a second choice keeper… he’s made mistakes for sure, what I’m NOT sure about is how many more points his mistakes have cost us as opposed to mistakes by outfield players…

Anyway, the facts are there for all to see. Changes, and big ones at that, are needed.

[Scott Arfield's Swag]

Muric
Assignon O'Shea Esteve Taylor
Cullen
Berge Brownhill
JBG JBL
Fofana

For Sunday I'd possibly leave Odobert in and move JBG to the Brownhill role

[Poulton-le-Claret]

He needs to win or else I think the crowd will hammer them at FT (that's if there are many left in the ground at FT).

The team will, however, be the exact same with Cullen for Brownhill and Delcroix for Taylor if injured.

[Tricky Trevor]

Look, I'm in the muric in camp, and the only thing I can assume is that muric didn't start the season as he should have done "should have been he's shirt to lose" because of similar mistakes he made early last season, however, he was voted championship keeper of the season for a reason, he's improvement was immense and we may arguably not have been promoted had he not been between the sticks, and I'm fully behind that, so basically I'm basing kompanys decision to start with Trafford on those facts, but Trafford has made mistakes all season, so on that basis muric would be my 1st choice atm, he may not be the answer but at least give him a run of games to prove himself.

They had 2 pre-season matches each. Muric was top quality in his two and Trafford made mistakes in both of his. I was stunned when Trafford got the nod for the City game.

[CoolClaret]

---------------Muric
Assignon OShea Delcroix Taylor
JBL Berge Cullen Odobert
--------------JBG
-------------Fofana.

I'd go with somehting similar and agree on Esteve. One for the future I think but I'd have Delcroix in at LCB as well.

------------Muric
Assignon-O'Shea-Delcroix-Taylor
------------Cullen
---------Berge----JBG
---Fofana----Jay-----Odobert

[CoolClaret]

They had 2 pre-season matches each. Muric was top quality in his two and Trafford made mistakes in both of his. I was stunned when Trafford got the nod for the City game.

As was Corky and Andros Townsend

[KlyBfc]

This season is done and so I’d have an eye on next season, but we still have to change something as if he doesn’t my backing of him is done.

I’d play
Muric
Assignon OShea Esteve Taylor

Cullen Massengo
Berge

Benson. Fofana. Tresor (if fit)

Not against JBG playing centrally instead of Massengo but would
Like to see some hunger and enthusiasm injected, also help cover the two widemen.

I’d play Tresor if hes staying and fit, just not in a 4-4-2.

Odobert off the bench for a bit.

[ervi34]

If he starts Trafford and Amdouni once again then I wouldn't mind seeing him getting sacked when Bournemouth put 3 past us.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Won’t happen but we need to shut up shop and stop conceding. I’d go:

Muric
Assignon
Taylor
Beyer
Esteve
Cork
Cullen
Berge
JBG
Benson
Forfona

[warksclaret]

Surely we need to see a change this weekend with the GK, if VK is genuinely sorry about he Palace result

MURIC
Assignon O Shea Esteve Taylor

Cork Cullen

Benson Berge Odobert

Forfana

We must bring back Cullen in front of back four, and replace Amdouini . Berge more advanced .Keep Vitinho, JBG and Jay out of the team .The last two are not the future and contribute very little. We need pace and quick mindedness when attacking

[CrosspoolClarets]

I think the interesting one here is whether he secretly feels the need to regain some kudos from the fans. Would never admit it of course. Easy to rest a couple of younger players after a torrid month or two.

I’d like to see:

Muric
Assignon. O’Shea. Esteve. Taylor
Cullen. Massengo. Berge
Benson. Fofana. Odobert

The extra man in midfield is because of Bournemouth’s very aggressive press. A single pivot won’t get us up the pitch. I’d play Tresor not Odobert because I think he offers more (if given minutes) but I suspect we won’t see him again, for odd reasons.

[Gordaleman]

Quite honestly, I just don't care any more. Kompany has brought in about 30 players since he arrived and spent more money in the process than any previous manager.

If, after that, he can't find eleven players to us out of the bottom three, he deserves to go. Whether or not the club can afford to sack him, is a totally different issue. Maybe the question should be, "Can we afford to keep him"?

[TheFamilyCat]

Look, I'm in the muric in camp, and the only thing I can assume is that muric didn't start the season as he should have done "should have been he's shirt to lose" because of similar mistakes he made early last season, however, he was voted championship keeper of the season for a reason, he's improvement was immense and we may arguably not have been promoted had he not been between the sticks, and I'm fully behind that, so basically I'm basing kompanys decision to start with Trafford on those facts, but Trafford has made mistakes all season, so on that basis muric would be my 1st choice atm, he may not be the answer but at least give him a run of games to prove himself.

As far as "I made something up and reported it as fact then doubled down when challenged" posts go, this takes some beating.

[alwaysaclaret]

They had 2 pre-season matches each. Muric was top quality in his two and Trafford made mistakes in both of his. I was stunned when Trafford got the nod for the City game.

And so was I, but I honestly don't believe that came into vk's thinking, he's mind was already made up by then, that's why he brought Trafford in, he knew he was starting him before the friendlies took place I reckon.

[BleedingClaret]

Got to stop letting goals in first

We have very little goal threat at present and imo that’s harder to acquire than keeping a clean sheet is to achieve

A 0.0 against Bournemouth at home would be an achievement at present
Crazy but true

…………………. Muric
Assingnon? O’Shea Steve Charlie
..JBG……..Cork………Cullen….JBL..
………………….. Berge………………….
…………………... Dave …………………

Subs
Massengo for a tired or booked Cork
Benson & Odebert on if we’re behind or if we sense a possibility of 3 points

[alwaysaclaret]

As far as "I made something up and reported it as fact then doubled down when challenged" posts go, this takes some beating.

"Made something up" ???????
"Challenged" ??????????
I've made nothing up, that's my belief of why muric didn't start the season, simple as that.

[alwaysaclaret]

Quite honestly, I just don't care any more. Kompany has brought in about 30 players since he arrived and spent more money in the process than any previous manager.

If, after that, he can't find eleven players to us out of the bottom three, he deserves to go. Whether or not the club can afford to sack him, is a totally different issue. Maybe the question should be, "Can we afford to keep him"?

Can’t disagree with this at all

[helmclaret]

If it was me, I’d try to make it as hard as possible for Bournemouth to score.

4-5-1

Muric

Assignon
Beyer
Esteve
Taylor

JBG
Cork
Cullen
Berge
Benson

Fofana

[BleedingClaret]

"Made something up" ???????
"Challenged" ??????????
I've made nothing up, that's my belief of why muric didn't start the season, simple as that.

Yep
I agree with you Pal, Trafford was signed to play
And whether it’s a clause in the contract agreed or just a bit of bad management is the only question unanswered

He started the season poorly has only improved in his shot stopping but in all other departments is poor, he is still too weak, especially from set pieces, positionally unaware, makes himself small rather than big, hasn’t yet the strength to have good spring so can’t get off the ground and the big one has poor distribution combined with poor decision making but is an undroppable it seems

Yes they’d decided to play him
Only question is it a stupid clause or a series of stupid decisions

[jlup1980]

If VK goes with the same team other than Cullen for Brownhill he will rightly get slated by the crowd. The only way he can stem the tide is by admitting that his team isn't working and trying something else. It almost doesn't matter what he changes... just something would be a start!

Surely Muric comes in at the very least? If he goes for a more pragmatic 451 (with Cork sat in it could actually be more like a 4141), I think we could accommodate Benson and Odobert. It does make us a small team with Cullen as well though. Ultimately he needs to pick a team with a couple of wingers who can get at their full backs and get the crowd in the game.

Muric
Assignon O'Shea Esteve Taylor
Cork
Benson Cullen Berge Odobert
Fofana

[BleedingClaret]

I think we need to start solider
And Benson & Odebert need to come off the bench around the hour mark
As do the likes of Massengo for Cork

[Paddy1882]

He won’t but at our standard in the PL we need 3 in midfield.
Muric
Assignon..O’Shea..Esteve..Taylor
Cullen..Cork..Berge
Benson..Fofana..Odobert

That would be the team I’d pick, as you say he won’t though.

[alwaysaclaret]

Yep
I agree with you Pal, Trafford was signed to play
And whether it’s a clause in the contract agreed or just a bit of bad management is the only question unanswered

He started the season poorly has only improved in his shot stopping but in all other departments is poor, he is still too weak, especially from set pieces, positionally unaware, makes himself small rather than big, hasn’t yet the strength to have good spring so can’t get off the ground and the big one has poor distribution combined with poor decision making but is an undroppable it seems

Yes they’d decided to play him
Only question is it a stupid clause or a series of stupid decisions

I've tried and tried to work it out, keep coming up with blanks, no other manager would continue picking him after the mistakes he's made, in any league ! It's absolute madness. As you say,

Poor positionally
Poor and too slow decision making
Poor awareness
Too slow to react to situations
No communication
Poor distribution and too slow
Physically weak
Can’t jump, doesn't know how to
Never ever catches the ball, always a parrie out, which more often than not results in further shot or attack on goal
Absolutely non existent at set piece and corners

However, can't blame Trafford, all on vk.
Really is beyond belief.

[123EasyasBFC]

Muric

Assignon
O’Shea
Esteve
Vitinho

Cork
Cullen
Berge

Benson
Jay Rod
Fofana

[alwaysaclaret]

I think we need to start solider
And Benson & Odebert need to come off the bench around the hour mark
As do the likes of Massengo for Cork

It's a kind of build from the back, but defend from the front, in other words all got to put a shift in, but has to be organised so as lots have said, we need a leader and need some communication from the last man, not sure if this squad is capable, or what vk is trying to put in to them, but obviously they don't seem to be on the same page at the moment.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Muric

Assignon
O’Shea
Esteve
Vitinho

Cork
Cullen
Berge

Benson
Jay Rod
Fofana

Got to be the team but it won’t be

[kentonclaret]

Nobody more surprised than me to see Trafford start the season for us, especially v Man City. Maybe i shouldn’t have been considering how much we paid for Trafford…. Not sure anyone in the bottom half of the PL could afford that money for a second choice keeper… he’s made mistakes for sure, what I’m NOT sure about is how many more points his mistakes have cost us as opposed to mistakes by outfield players…

Anyway, the facts are there for all to see. Changes, and big ones at that, are needed.

A glance at the current PL Table shows that the bottom 2 clubs have not only conceded the most goals but have also scored the fewest. A perfect recipe for relegation. Trafford has become an easy target being the goalkeeper and the last line of defence. You need to score goals to win football matches and Burnley are one of the 2 worst teams in that department.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

If he starts Trafford and Amdouni once again then I wouldn't mind seeing him getting sacked when Bournemouth put 3 past us.

Only way Trafford is not playing is if he is injured. VK is far too stubborn to change now. Pathetic really.

The fans have to really start showing displeasure to let him know he’s getting it wrong I would imagine.

[Carlos the Great]

VK seems to think we need play Trafford every week so he can learn more .. the only problem is it’s got us relegated and cost the club 200 million in the process … not sure if he thought it through properly

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

VK seems to think we need play Trafford every week so he can learn more .. the only problem is it’s got us relegated and cost the club 200 million in the process … not sure if he thought it through properly

Even Stevie wonder knows Muric should be playing maybe VK has got a superstition.