Next up we make the trip up North to Turf Moor as the Eagles face newly promoted Burnley in the Premier League.
We got the low down on the Clarets ahead of the game from the guys at Turf Moorhouse to find out how they are faring in their return to the top table, expectations for the season, and much more.
TEB – Overall, how would you rate last season for Burnley?
It was a special season, a lot of learning. A team built on togetherness. Defensively strong but yet able to kill teams off. I think promotion was always the aim for Scott Parker and the board but we knew there was still work to be done.
TEB – How was the summer transfer window for the club?
If I had to score it out of 10, I would give it an 8. We brought in Kyle Walker from Manchester City, Quilindschy Hartman from PSV, replaced outgoing James Trafford with Martin Dúbravka from Newcastle and many more. I believe we’ve got the players to get us away from the relegation trap door but it’s up to Scott Parker to get the best out of them.
TEB – Thoughts on results so far?
We’ve played a huge bulk of the teams in the top half of the table and at times given ourselves a real chance. We nearly took a point off both United and Liverpool this year until silly mistakes in the dying minutes, but the team dynamic is there. I’m just not sure possession based football is a good way for a team like us to be trying to play against top quality teams in this division who have more quality and tactical knowledge of how to nullify that part of our game.
TEB – Is Scott Parker the man to take Burnley forward?
Very tough question, a section of fans are starting to ask questions of his style of play in the Premier League. As stated in the previous question, the possession based football doesn’t work and we had good spells of the ball in games but ultimately, it’s a results business and if you aren’t doing anything with it, then is it bearing fruits? My answer would be no. A lot hangs in the balance in the next 4 or 5 games from a fan perspective but we as a fan base know the board are not hire and fire guys and they’ll know one win could get us out of that bottom three bracket.
TEB – Is there a Burnley player Palace should be wary of for the match at Turf Moor?
Our midfield has been instrumental to the way we play. Captain, Josh Cullen linking up play with Lesley Ugochukwu. Personally, I am going to say our wing-backs of Walker and Hartman as the quick transition they bring us from defence to attack can be pivotal. If it’s not cutting out attacking wide play, it’s working the one two and picking inch perfect passes with cross field balls to our players out wide.
TEB – What are your thoughts on Palace and how do you feel we will fare this campaign?
I mean, it’s not bad to be sat in the top half. Ninth position, I’d swap with you right now! I think it’s about turning them draws into wins which is quite cliché but 5 points off second place. I would not grumble at that, especially getting to the half way point of the season. My prediction for Palace’s final table position is 11th.
TEB – Ambitions for this season? Is survival the main objective?
100% survival. I think any team who have just come up, need to think of survival first and foremost. The last few years has seen all three promoted teams drop back into the Championship so on the basis of that, safety first! We can stay up but Parker needs to learn and adapt his tactics quickly before it runs away from us.
TEB – If you could sign one current Palace player, who would it be and why?
We need goals, simple as that, so I can look no further than Jean-Philippe Mateta. I feel he’s a player who is getting stronger with every passing season in the Premier League so for the pure reason of needing someone who knows where the net is. It would have to be the Frenchman.
TEB – Expectations for the match including final score prediction?
We give a good account of ourselves at home and yet still come away with nothing to show for it. You can tell the players are hungry to start putting the results right and obviously I hope that starts with this fixture. I expect two sides trying to figure each other out for twenty of so minutes until a moment sparks the game into life. Head says 1-0 win to the Clarets, heart says 1-1 draw.
