Scott Parker expressed the disappointment that his Burnley side produced after their 1-0 friendly defeat to Stoke City.
The Clarets fell behind early after Max Weiss’ goalkeeping mistake gave Ben Wilmot the opportunity to tap in from 12 yards.
And Parker, whose side face Tottenham Hotspur in their first game of the Premier League season in two weeks’ time, admitted his despondency after a confessedly poor performance.
“I was disappointed towards the end of the game because both teams are here, Stoke as well, preparing for a week out from their season,” Parker said.
“The whole reason we're here is for both teams to get fit, work on tactical elements and keep improving. But towards the back end of the last 30 minutes it was a bit non-existent in terms of a football sense.”
Although Parker’s side were far more inferior than the hosts, the referee, Steve Martin, made himself stand out at the bet365 Stadium after giving two yellow cards within 10 minutes — despite the game being a friendly.
Though the rules of the game remain the same in any format of the game, including a friendly, the circumstance of the fouls which warranted the cautions will certainly be seen as undeserved or subdued.
Josh Laurent, who used to play for Stoke, was shown a second yellow card after lunging in on Bae Junho with just under 30 minutes to go and Parker spoke of his confusion over Martin’s decisions.
“I get the referee's position. He had to referee it, he said, like a proper game. But then that didn't really add up with what was going on on their side as well, which was a bit inconsistent,” said the Burnley boss.
“But it is what it is. I'm disappointed in that because that's just a little bit of a bitter taste.
“I mean, I don't think either tackle...maybe they’re yellow cards? I get a reckless tackle, of course, then you need to punish that. But just [show] a bit of initiative really, and just tell me to bring him off.
“Even Stoke were saying: ‘look, can we let him bring another player on?’ But I get it, I understand it. I understand if that's what the referee's been told by his superiors, then I get he's petrified of not doing that.
“But just a little bit of common sense, maybe, would have been wise. Because both managers really were a little bit disappointed.”
Wilmot’s opener was the only goal of an otherwise entertaining, albeit chanceless, game which was washed over by physical duels and eye-catching clashes.
Parker’s side don’t have many positives to take back to the Northwest but gave a fair evaluation of his side’s performance, which will need to be of a much higher standard come the start of the 2025-26 top-flight campaign.
“We managed to get that physical demand and overall there were some nice bits,” he said.
“I thought we looked a little bit leggy though and I get that. It’s the end of a hard week.
“But overall, no injuries, which is key, and some extra minutes in the legs, 90 minutes for some as well.”