Parker Expresses Concern Over Burnley’s Lack of Belief Following Defeat

Burnley manager Scott Parker expressed serious concerns regarding his team’s lack of belief following their ninth defeat in 11 Premier League matches against Brighton.

The Clarets struggled significantly on the south coast, conceding goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari, which secured a comfortable victory for the hosts.

This defeat positions Parker’s squad 19th in the league, leaving them six points adrift of safety, with a dismal record of just two points accrued from their last 33 available.

Parker, who has not witnessed a victory since October 26, offered a scathing critique of his side’s performance. “I thought we were really poor. We didn’t deserve anything from the game,” he stated in an interview with BBC Match of the Day.

“In previous matches, I have said we were competitive despite the negative results. However, the shift from our loss to Newcastle to today’s performance was stark. We lacked belief, and that is worrying.”

Burnley’s offensive struggles were evident, as they managed only three shots on target at the Amex Stadium, further compounded by defensive errors. The absence of captain Josh Cullen, who is out for the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in a goalless draw against Everton on December 27, was notably felt in a lackluster midfield display.

Parker emphasized the need for his team to recapture the previous commitment and performance levels. “What we need is what we had prior to today. Although the results weren’t in our favor, we were building on certain aspects. While we will lose matches, the manner in which we lost today is unacceptable. We need a response,” he remarked.

The manager also acknowledged the precarious situation they find themselves in, stating, “The only silver lining is that there are still six points between us and safety. However, if we continue to perform as we did today, these points will not matter.”

Sweden international Hjalmar Ekdal echoed Parker’s concerns in a discussion with Sky Sports, stating, “Today’s performance was worse than in previous games. This is not representative of what we stand for. As a team, we were weak and lacked belief. We are all somewhat embarrassed by our performance. It’s difficult to pinpoint a single issue, but our mindset and character on the pitch were lacking. We need to improve in every aspect.”