We chatted to the Burnley FC Fan Channel, TurfCast, part of TalkSPORT’s Fan Network, ahead of the second successive match at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, to get all the lowdown on the Black Cats’ opponents.
F1879: Burnley came out on top against Sunderland AFC the last time the two sides met at the Stadium of Light in 2022, albeit Amad and Dan Neil put the Black Cats 2-0 up inside the first 20mins. Lots of water under the bridge since then, for both sides, so in these early moments of the current campaign, as Burnley sit atop of the table after impressive displays against Luton and Cardiff, what is the sense amongst the fan base around new man Scott Parker, his style of play and in broad terms what expectations are this season?
TC: We obviously couldn’t have started any better. Two wins, six points, nine goals and like you say top of the league. As for style of play there have been no complaints but we are only two games in – we had a manager obsessed over possession and style rather than results last term so it would be good to see a manager who can be pragmatic and finds ways to win without being stubborn with style and players. Hopefully Parker can be that man.
F1879: What did Burnley supporters make of Vincent Kompany’s exit and in particular his destination? Given the club showed a degree of loyalty by sticking with him last season as the slid towards relegation is there any animosity? Also, do you think the manner of his departure led in part to Parker being appointed as head coach rather than manager, the role Kompany held?
TC: Yeah fans were disappointed. Everyone always says ‘well surely you can understand why he went’ and of course you can – it’s Bayern Munich. But the two feelings aren’t mutually exclusive – you can be disappointed that he’s left after spending two years of talking about the ‘project’ and how he buys into and also understand that he can’t turn Bayern down really. In answer to the Head Coach point – yes one hundred percent. I feel the club have had their fingertips burnt with Kompany buying over £200m worth of players just to run off into the sunset – so they have given Parker less control.
F1879: Parker talked recently about the challenges of managing a bloated squad. Recent results suggest he is succeeding thus far. However, looking more closely at this, as supporters, would you agree with Park’s assessment or do you feel there should be some departures in the coming days to make it leaner?
TC: As I’m writing this we have had a mad couple of days where a lot of players have been linked away. I suspect this will continue over the next two weeks until the window shuts and we will see a lot players leaving – there will be incomings though too, but less than the outgoings to get the numbers down. Think, as it stands, we have 36 senior players.
F1879 Do you think Parker will likely tinker with this formation or tactics against Sunderland at the weekend or likely deploy the same methods as he did against Luton and Cardiff?
TC: Probably the same tactics. With you being at home and full of confidence I feel we will try to do to you what we did to Luton – invite you on to us, break the lines and then counter quickly.
F1879: What do you think Burnley’s likely starting XI will be?
TC: It’s anyone’s guess with the number of players linked away – I’m not even sure who will be here! I’ll go with Trafford; Roberts, O’Shea, Esteve Pires; Vitinho, Cullen, Brownhill, Koleosho; Amdouni, Foster
F1879: The season is only in its infancy but who have been the best players during pre-season and who will be the ones the Black Cats should be concerned about? Have any of the new signings impressed?
TC: The club were a bit strange with pre-season – the majority of the games were behind closed doors except for one, away in Spain against Cadiz. So there’s not much data from that. But, if they’re still here, I’d say Luca Koleosho and Zeki Amdouni.
F1879: How do supporters feel around the recent exit of 19 year old midfielder, Wilson Odobert’s departure? It is understood Burnley tripled their money on a player signed only 12 months earlier. From the money generated via his sale is there a sense that funds can/have gone back into the squad? If so, are there any areas requiring improvement or is there some contentment with who is already available?
TC: It was expected he would leave – there was some hope that he would stay for a Championship season after he started at Luton and grabbed a goal but we always knew he would be off – it’s the same with some of the lads who are still here that are expected to leave before the window. I don’t think we will go out and replace him as we have the perfect replacement for the 10 in Zeki Amdouni – it’s just a bit up in the air whether he will still be here come the end of the window.
F1879: Other than Jack Clarke, which Sunderland player do you think Burnley will feel they need to be concerned about when they meet at the weekend?
TC: I’m glad you singled out Jack Clarke cause he is 100% what I would have said – although I’m sure you guys are used to that now! Other than that it has to be Jobe – he was brilliant against Sheffield Wednesday and if he is in that form again he could cause some trouble. I know we won 5-0 on Saturday but it was a very flattering scoreline for us – we spent the first 60 mins losing the midfield battle and if we do that again this weekend we won’t find ourselves 3-0 up like we did against Cardiff.
F1879: Which Burnley player do you think Sunderland should be worried about most?
TC: Luca Koleosho and Zeki Amdouni. Hopefylly they’re still here by the time kick off arrives. Both too good for this league, but I’d say Zeki is a more well-rounded player while Luca, at the minute, is raw talent who will improve massively.
F1879: Where do you think Sunderland and Burnley will finish in the league?
TC: I predicted top two for Burnley at the start of the season and after Leeds lost a lot of their players I went for league winners for us. However the recent flow of outgoings has made me a little more anxious than I was – I’ll stay with winners for now, but feel free to ask me again when the window shuts so I can assess our squad. The team as it is now wins the league – but that won’t be the team. Sunderland have shown they have quality but can they maintain it for a full-season when injuries and fatigue sets in? Probably not, but I think you finish in the playoffs which I’m sure you’d be delighted with. Need to keep hold of Clarke though.
F1879 Score prediction for Saturday?
TC: 2-2
Thanks to Turfcast. Follow them on X.
