Lancashire

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I watched the wave of player tributes for Scott Parker flooding Instagram last week with interest. The impact that he has had on those players, the relationships he built with them and the role model he has become was clear. There is little doubt that he held that dressing room tightly.

Why, then, did those players not perform on the pitch for him? In so many post-match interviews, Parker talked about disappointment, how plans were not followed and how his players were off the mark as against what they had prepared for.

It seems odd, doesn't it? That such a tight group of individuals could fail so spectacularly in their common goal?

The main takeaway for me is that Parker was perhaps too nice. It is not your job as head coach to be your players' friend, and players need to feel a sense of jeopardy in what they do.

I am not talking about fear or bullying, or the 90s hairdryer treatment - there is no place for that in sport, or in society any more - but managers need to be able to cultivate resilience and regulate emotional responses.

If managers allocate too much of their time and focus on being a friend and mentor, no matter how important that role is, do they then lack the ability to give the hard messages that make those performances improve?

I am starting to suspect that this has been a critical factor in Parker's failures this season – some of the best bosses I have learned from in my career have been those who were not afraid to deliver hard performance reviews, but who I ultimately got the best lessons from.

Mike Jackson now wants these players to use the final three games to develop some confidence and play for the fans.

I am not sure how relevant that is to us, given we will be saying goodbye to most of them soon, so I would rather the club uses the next three games to remember who we are.

A gritty little club in east Lancashire, around since the very beginning of the league, that gets up, shows up and lives for that little old mill town.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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• Brentford 3-0 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton

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Tom Gayle
MOTD Commentator

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For a few weeks now, Burnley had made it clear Hannibal Mejbri was on the verge of his return from a hamstring injury. I can't lie, after receiving the team news at Elland Road, I questioned the wisdom of whether his first game back should have been away at Leeds United.

This season the midfielder received a four-match ban and was given a £15,000 fine after admitting to spitting at Leeds supporters during Burnley's 2-0 victory at Turf Moor back in October.

The warmth of 'reception' was as you would expect. Being the last name on the teamsheet, it was a long build-up to the inevitable boos which followed "Hannibal" being read out by the stadium announcer.

A few behind the dugouts let their feelings be known as the 23-year-old made his way past to the visitors bench prior to kick-off. Midway through the first half, there was the sight of Hannibal receiving what appeared to be a one-man security escort as he made his way back to the tunnel.

Hannibal's eventual introduction came in the 54th minute. Despite still being soaked in the jubilation of Noah Okafor's goal, the vibes quickly changed as the Tunisian international's run onto the field was sound-tracked by a cacophony of jeers.

There was no let-up, his every touch was met by boos. In my eyes, there was more than one attempt from Leeds players to 'leave one on' the Burnley substitute. The pantomime bingo card-esque scenes were completed by loud cheers which greeted, firstly, Ethan Amadu's booking following a shoulder-high pull back on Hannibal, before Hannibal himself when he was cautioned for a late challenge on Brenden Aaronson.

When I questioned interim head coach Mike Jackson on the selection decision, there was no pondering within his response. "I always knew the reaction he would get. I said to Hannibal before the game, don't antagonise the crowd, just go on and show your quality."

While spitting towards someone is reviled across society, in the end, this may be seen as a win-win. Leeds supporters grasped the opportunity to vent their frustrations at Hannibal's indefensible actions, whereas Burnley were able to see the return of a talented and creative player.

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

Robert: Fully deserved three points. Our players once again stood up to be counted when it really mattered. Nearly safe now!

Christopher: Delighted with the win but we seemed a bit nervy seeing the game out. We're so much better yet seemed to make it tough for ourselves unnecessarily.

Eric: The major thing here is the three points - priceless. However, once again Leeds made it hard for themselves in a game they should have killed off by half-time. But they came out second half and did the business - and a good job too because we started to let Burnley get back into it in the final 20 minutes.

Hanif: Fantastic. Been a tough season, with highs and lows, but determination and true grit has seen us get to this point where our Premier League status is all but secured. Well done, Leeds.

Burnley fans

Peter: A shocking defensive display. No shape, ball watching and thanks but goodbye to our goalkeeper, who was responsible for two of the goals. There is a nucleus of players who are good enough for the challenge next season, so we need a couple of decent additions and, most importantly, a manager who is not only a good friend to the players but a good coach and inspiration as well. Come back, Craig Bellamy.

Steve: The players have no team spirit - there's no fight there. We seem to constantly want to play out from the back and invariably lose the ball. When we get into the opponent’s half the team is lost - there's no attacking mentality.

Jack: What do you expect when you have five at the back and still room given for the first goal? Diabolical. I just don't get it. Not one of this team should be wearing the Burnley shirt. For once, I believe we need a completely new team next season.

Peter: Again and again we showed that Premier League football was a step too far for this collection of players. We can only hope that next season’s squad is better. It would be nice to have something to cheer.