Matt Scrafton's verdict on Burnley's 3-2 defeat to West Ham
An angry Scott Parker has warned his Burnley players a long season lies ahead unless they cut out their needless mistakes.
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'Weak': Scott Parker left visibly upset with Burnley players after costly West H...](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/weak-scott-parker-left-visibly-upset-with-burnley-players-after-costly-west-ham-defeat-5394139 "'Weak': Scott Parker left visibly upset with Burnley players after costly West Ham defeat")
Despite controlling much of the game, Parker was left frustrated with how his players switched off in key moments.
Two of the Hammers’ three goals came from set-pieces, which was of particular annoyance to Parker.
Supporters also questioned some of his second-half substitutions, feeling the likes of Quildinschy Hartman and Zian Flemming deserved to remain on the pitch.
Tackling some of these subjects during his post-match press conference, where he looked noticeably upset with his players, Parker said the following:
Were you this animated with the players?
Burnley boss Scott Parker at the London Stadium. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Burnley boss Scott Parker at the London Stadium. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
“Definitely, definitely,” he said. “We're here to win and we're here to survive and we're here to stay in this division, every single one of us.
“From the owners, from our fans, from me, to every single one of those players as well.
"It's a young squad that probably don't...at certain moments, they’re learning in-game and we're now 11 games in. At the start of this, that learning was down to me and obviously explaining those situations.
“The problem is at this moment in time, this is dragging on a little bit too long now. Like I said, there's big elements where we've improved on the training field. Technically, in terms of the team I want us to be, where we have to keep improving is this side of it because otherwise it'll be a long season for us.”
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Conceding from two set pieces
"Look, the first set play goal is down to everything I'm speaking about. The structure is wrong, there’s people not doing their jobs.
"It's just...I can always accept a loss. We live in a world where I understand things are always pointed and at this moment in time in football, you lose a game, it is the absolute end of the world and you win a game, everyone's cheering. So I understand the dynamics of that, but I can accept a loss. I can also accept conceding goals.
“We can concede that goal, but certain boxes need to be ticked. Those boxes need to be structure, being diligent, concentration, focus.
"Sometimes you can't stop a six-foot player coming into your box at 400mph and heading one in. I can always accept that. What I can't accept in certain moments is all those boxes not being ticked. That's focus, that's concentration and that's where we fell short.”
Second half changes
“I just thought the game was there and obviously players are tiring at that moment. I felt like injecting.
“I never stood on the sideline...while I know there's a threat there on a counter-transition with the players they have on their team, I know there's a threat there with set plays, but I felt really comfortable that we just had the game there. But that obviously wasn't the case.”
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