'Need to learn': Zian Flemming pinpoints one key area where Burnley need to improve
Burnley’s game management was one of their key strengths during their 100-point Championship campaign.
But 11 games into the new Premier League season, the Clarets are lacking in a little nous.
That’s according to striker Zian Flemming, who has backed up previous comments made by his boss Scott Parker in that Burnley need to be a little bit more streetwise in key moments and phases in games.
It comes after Burnley’s lead against West Ham prior to the international break, given to them by Flemming’s header, lasted just nine minutes, with the Hammers equalising on the stroke of half-time – giving the game a whole different complexion.
The home side would go on to win the game 3-2, landing a big blow to Burnley’s survival hopes – even at this early stage of the season.
“It was a big killer," Flemming told Burnley’s official YouTube channel. “But at the same time we knew it wouldn’t define the game.
“We had it at Wolves as well. You know if you go in at 1-1 or 2-2 like it was at Wolves, you know you can still win the game.
“But if you’re 1-0 up, especially away from home, and you see you’ve got five minutes left…when you see our game management last season it was outstanding, but I think we’ve lacked that a little bit in this game [against West Ham].
“Sometimes the last five minutes of each half demand slightly different things that might not even be visible to the public’s eye, but it’s where we can maybe break their rhythm or their momentum, get a foul or keep possession. But we played into their hands by keeping the game high pace and too open.
“It’s something we need to learn from.”
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The main frustration from the West Ham defeat is that Burnley generally played well and deserved something from the game, but ultimately came away empty-handed.
“There are positives, but sometimes having positives makes it even worse because it feels like those positives should have won us the game,” Flemming added.
“From one side, if you lose here playing a bad game, maybe our mood is even worse but at this moment, playing a good game for most parts and a terrible game in some tiny moments makes me feel even worse.”
The 27-year-old added: “Right now I’m not really looking forward to any time off, my feeling is I’d rather walk out on the training pitch tomorrow to get some work in again and stick together with the team.
“But it is what it is, the schedule is what it is and we have to use it to our advantage, clear our heads and come back with new energy.”
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