The verdict on Burnley’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough

Burnley still remain a long way away from the side that they need to be, but this was certainly a step in the right direction.

After the horror show that was Norwich City, expectations weren’t exactly sky-high coming into this fixture against a good Middlesbrough side.

And off the back of a deadline day that saw star striker Zian Flemming depart without being replaced, there was a lingering suspicion in the air that the mood could turn nasty if this game didn’t go Burnley’s way.

But back at Turf Moor for the first of back-to-back home games, Nicky Hayen’s side needed to issue a reaction to the Carrow Road shambles.

In a sense, despite the poor first-half, they did that. In terms of their attitude at least and not committing the most basic of individual mistakes.

But there’s no doubt they were very much second best during the first 45 minutes and the contrast between the two sides was almost worryingly big.

Boro, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, had a clear shape, clear identity and a clear structure. The players all knew their roles, when to press, their patterns of play and so on. They’re clearly a well-coached side.

Burnley, by comparison, resembled a team of individuals, a horde of strangers thrown together at the last minute. Which, in some cases, they kind of are.

It was ironic in the sense that Burnley were so structured and so organised under Scott Parker it perhaps went too far the other way, where any sort of flair or creativity was coached out of the players. But this was a complete 180 degree turn.

A change to a back five didn’t appear to help. Burnley’s press was all off and players were being pulled out of position, all over the pitch.

In fact, they were fortunate they only trailed by the one goal at half-time, because Boro had good chances to edge further ahead.

On the goal itself, it was an excellent strike from Aidan Morris, but it felt avoidable. Not only should Burnley’s midfield have closed down the American quicker, you also felt Max Weiss could have done better in goal.

It was the 10th goal Burnley had conceded already this season from just 16 shots on target, which is a worrying statistic. But not sustainable, one would hope.

Hayen was forced into making changes at half time, 1) because Hannibal was a walking red card and gave him no choice and 2) they needed to shuffle things around and make some tactical alterations.

Bizarrely, it was the introduction of Manchester City loanee Max Allyne into a deep-lying midfield role that changed the course of the game.

A return to a back four simplified things for the home side. They emerged with far more purpose, got on the front foot and gave the supporters something to get behind.

That last point is particularly pertinent. It’s been such a miserable, long run without a win - now totalling 320 days for three points at home - they’re desperate to have something to get behind, any crumb.

Whether it’s the improving Jacob Bruun Larsen beating his man or the effervescent Dastan Satpayev charging around with speed and intent, the Clarets faithful just want something to hold onto.

Like Middlesbrough’s opener, it was a fine strike that drew Burnley level. Ugo Raghouber, scoring for the first time since his summer arrival, was the man to get it after being encouraged by the visiting players to surge forward into space on the edge of the Boro box.

He still had plenty of work to do though, but sublimely opened up his body and curled a delicious effort beyond the goalkeeper’s despairing dive.

To think the Clarets were well off the pace in the first half and could easily have been out of the game, they almost completed a remarkable turnaround not long after the equaliser when the excellent Satpayev was denied by the goalkeeper’s legs after being sent through on goal.

I’m not sure Burnley’s performance merited a victory, certainly as they tired and weren’t able to fully capitalise on their equaliser. But their response after half-time lifted spirits and has given fans something to feel encouraged about.

There’s still a lot to work on and a lot to be worked out, but this should at least provide Hayen with a platform to build from.