I think AT showed similar inexperience to the young lads in the team. He didnt react to the sending off and like the defenders for their second goal got caught in the headlights. Does it make him a bad manager - no ..... but it does make him one with a lot to learn.
The referee made some debateable decisions and was guilty of inconsistency. There were two tackles at least that were similar to Bigi's but the Burnley players got away with it. The ref lost a lot of control from the moment in the first half he allowed Wallace to lecture him on a foul that Wallace had committed. We are, in comparison to other teams, far too respectful to the refs...... we seem to treat them as they should be whilst others get away with it. BUT the ref didnt lose us the game....... mistakes on and off the pitch did.
It was obvious that Howe would change the Burnley formation at half time, they were not really in the first half and something had to change. AT did not react to that threat. We kept doing the same things
When Bigi got sent off the players needed a lift, putting Deagan on would have said a lot to the players and fans. "thats it they get no more" Instead we play a forward lacking confidence in midfield. Round peg square hole ? We had options AT didnt want or have confidence in using them
I understand that Cody may have taken a little knock but come on Juke had been clattered 3 times by then and was limping. Sorry but taking Cody off was a mistake and i dont buy into he had "a little knock". Plus how does he get fit for 90 minutes if he doesnt play 90mins ?
I think most people watching could see that Thomas and Bigi had run their legs off and needed at least one replacing. Putting Deagan on would surely have refreshed things ?
The lack of leadership showed on the pitch. We scored we sat deep, they scored we sat even deeper. The players needed someone to grasp the game and drive them forward... Wood & Keogh stood up and were counted second half but they needed more support because Burnley upped their game and pressure. It was clear as soon as they scored their first that taking any points for CCFC was seriously at risk. What did we do - we kept the formation and changed not a lot.
ROD - feel sorry for him he seems to get a lot of stick and it doesnt work for him. However it matters not that he had been on 10 mins when Bigi went off, he is not a midfield player and was certainly an option to replace.
Personally I think we needed some energy into the team in the late second half. Cameron on and Keogh to RB would have been one move i made. The second would have been either Thomas or ROD off and Deagan on
AT also cannot just blame the players for keeping losing goals in the last few minutes. He has an input in that especially when he has the option to make 2 subs and doesnt. It is a team game and that team includes the manager and coach
As AT said the youngsters can get the plaudits but also the criticism. Well that principle applies to the manager too AT
What did disappoint me was AT's comments about Bigi after the game - sorry but if Bigi needs harsh words keep it in the dressing room. The reason I didnt like the comments is that when the likes of Bell, McSheffery, Clingan etc have mares he doesnt adopt the same stance and isnt so dismissive or critical of their performance. Bigi got it wrong, he knows that so does everyone else, his confidence will be crushed and AT added to that. Seems to me that a bit too often AT blames the inexperience/mistakes of our youngsters yet more senior players are protected or even rewarded ..... dont misunderstand he gets a lot of the other stuff with the young lads right but yesterday he achieved more damage to the youngsters than was publically clever. It was not a good or wise interview - bourne from frustration
The game was there for the taking, we should have been a couple up before Burnley scored. But once Burnley scored there was only going to be one winner because from that point forward we had a bad day on and off the pitch