Burnley’s Parker Admits Season ‘Failure’ But Focuses on Core Values & Young Players
The weight of a Premier League relegation battle is pressing down on Burnley, a reality manager Vincent Kompany acknowledged with stark honesty. While maintaining faith in the long-term project at Turf Moor, Kompany conceded that the current season, to this point, represents a failure. The admission comes as Burnley struggle to recapture the form that saw them secure promotion back to the top flight last season.
“In real short-sightedness you can see that maybe this year has been a failure, it has been a failure to this point, and that’s true,” Kompany stated, as reported by the BBC. Though, he quickly pivoted to emphasize the importance of upholding core values and his responsibility to the players under his charge. “The bigger picture for me, longer term, is what do you hold on to with some core, core values? My job, my duty – as well as to win games to protect myself in this world we live in – is I also have a responsibility to these young men.”
The Clarets’ season has been a study in contrasts. Early promise, including a narrow defeat at Old Trafford and a late loss to Liverpool, quickly faded. A significant turning point came in late October, following a victory at Wolves on , which briefly lifted Burnley five points clear of the relegation zone. They sat above Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United at that juncture. However, the momentum proved fleeting.
Just two weeks later, Burnley squandered a golden opportunity to solidify their position. Leading West Ham 1-0 at halftime on , a win would have extended their lead over the bottom three to six points heading into the international break. Instead, they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at the London Stadium, a result that signaled the beginning of a troubling downturn.
Since that win at Wolves, Burnley have managed only one Premier League victory in 20 games. This prolonged slump has included a seven-game losing streak and particularly damaging performances against Brighton, Sunderland, and Everton. Despite the overall negativity, there have been glimmers of resilience – a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United, a point earned at Liverpool, and a draw against Tottenham, where the London side equalized in the 90th minute. They’ve also demonstrated fight, coming from behind to win at Crystal Palace and securing a point at Chelsea.
However, those positive results have been overshadowed by damaging home defeats against Fulham and Crystal Palace, and a lackluster first half-hour against Brentford. These performances have clearly taken a toll, leaving deep scars on the team’s confidence and raising serious questions about their ability to secure Premier League survival.
The club’s recent struggles are further highlighted by a defeat against Fulham, their seventh consecutive Premier League loss. Harry Wilson was instrumental for Fulham, scoring one goal and assisting two others in a 3-2 victory at Turf Moor. The result extended Burnley’s longest losing run in the league since the 1994-95 season, when they were relegated to the third tier.
The Fulham match also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with the opening goal stemming from a missed clearance by Burnley left-back Quilindschy Hartman. The defeat was Fulham’s first win at Turf Moor in 30 attempts, dating back to . Fulham fans openly called for the dismissal of their former manager, Scott Parker, a testament to the pressure he faced returning to a club where he had previously experienced relegation.
Despite the current difficulties, the club’s board has reportedly expressed no desire to change managers, offering Kompany opportunities to turn the situation around. However, the two-week break in the schedule, following recent setbacks, presents a critical juncture. If relegation becomes inevitable, and the club’s supporters demand a team capable of competing for promotion next season, a careful approach to future appointments will be essential. The Championship, as Kompany acknowledges, is fraught with examples of mismanagement and ill-fated managerial decisions.
Kompany’s task now is to navigate this challenging period, maintain the core values he believes in, and attempt to salvage something from a season that, as he himself admits, is rapidly slipping away. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining not only Burnley’s Premier League fate but also the long-term direction of the club.