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Latest updates

  1. Chelsea 1-1 Burnley: What Parker and Flemming saidpublished at 18:46 GMT 21 February

    Media caption,

    Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC Sport: "A little bit frustrated but overall I can't be anything but proud of the team. Overall our performance was worthy of the point we gained - and maybe it could have been three.

    "In the first half I felt we were getting into the game, second half you play a quality side with 10 men and sometimes that quality can still prove problematic. But our desire and intent was first class."

    On Zian Flemming's goal from James Ward-Prowse's corner: "Incredible header. A set-piece straight off the training ground in terms of how we free up that space. James is on the money every time."

    On the relegation battle: "We were at fault last weekend for bringing the noise back on us [in exiting the FA Cup to League One Mansfield].

    "At times with the level we have come up against we have fallen short. What we have never fallen short on is togetherness, commitment and resilience. The resilience of the group to pick themselves up and keep doing what they do... this team has serious resilience and hopefully we're still in this."

    Burnley goalscorer Zian Flemming speaking to Sky Sports: "It's a really good result and you would take it before the game. But with the game ending against 10 men I feel some disappointment now.

    "I think we can be proud of ourselves. The team showed great resilience, we stayed in the game until the very end and it says something that I am here disappointed with only a point.

    "It sounds weird that I am disappointed with a point at Chelsea, but we need wins. As soon as we got to 1-1 we decided to go all-in for the three points. To get so close, we can still be proud, but it is a bit of mixed feelings."

    On their fight to avoid relegation: "Everyone knows that the gap is massive if you look at the table. But of course we can [stay up]. It is not going to be easy, we know we need a miracle or something extraordinary.

    "We are trying now to put in an extraordinary input to try and get and extraordinary outcome."

    On manager Scott Parker: "He is on the front line and us players are right behind him. He will never give up and that is something he tells us and brings to us as people."

    Did you know?

    • Following their 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace last week, Burnley have avoided defeat in consecutive Premier League away games in London for the first time since March 2024, which also included a draw against Chelsea.

  2. Analysis: Resilience and Ward-Prowse quality earn pointpublished at 18:04 GMT 21 February

    Nizaar Kinsella
    Football reporter

    James Ward Prowse challenges Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images

    Scott Parker's team endured long spells without the ball but their point earned at Stamford Bridge owes to a committed defensive display and a brilliant set-piece from James Ward-Prowse.

    The likes of Joe Worrall, Maxime Esteve and Bashir Humphreys all made goal-saving interventions when blocking shots from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.

    It also left goalkeeper Martin Dubravka not as busy as he would have otherwise expected to be in west London, although he had to be alert coming for crosses into the box.

    "The player showed a real resilience to go a goal down early but stay in the game," Parker said at Stamford Bridge. "We grew into the first half, and are maybe frustrated we weren't able to get all three points."

    That frustration will come after Ward-Prowse delivered two almost identical set-pieces - the first was a perfect delivery for Zian Flemming's goal but Jacob Bruun Larsen could not score from an identical chance.

    Parker added: "[Ward-Prowse] had real quality - he is a real set-piece specialist. When you want to deliver a ball, you know where it is going. All the set-piece coaches can do the best blocks or runs but with James it is pretty easy because you know if it is delivered on the money then you have a chance."

    Of course, Chelsea's red card helped them swing the momentum but resilience gave Burnley their foundations for the draw.

    "The longer you stay in the game, the more the confidence grows," goalscorer Flemming added. "The red card is a significant moment because at that moment we could really attack and put them under pressure. We did that really well."

  3. Chelsea 1-1 Burnley - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:56 GMT 21 February

    Have your say banner
    Media caption,

    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

    Have your say on Chelsea's performance

    What did you make of Burnley's display?

    Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

  4. Chelsea v Burnley: Team newspublished at 14:22 GMT 21 February

    Graphic showing Chelsea line upImage source, BBC Sport

    Chelsea are without Estevao Willian and Marc Cucurella for Saturday's afternoon kick-off.

    Pedro Neto and Reece James come into the side, among three changes from their last Premier League outing — a 2-2 draw with Leeds at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago.

    The other change sees Josh Acheampong drop to the bench, with Wesley Fofana replacing him in defence.

    Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Palmer, Fernandez, Neto, Joao Pedro

    Subs: Slonina, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Hato, Lavia, Garnacho, Delap, Guiu

    Burnley are unchanged from their 3-2 comeback win away at Crystal Palace in their last Premier League match.

    Former Chelsea duo Bashir Humphreys and Lesley Ugochukwu both start, but Armando Broja is not fit to begin.

    January signing James Ward‑Prowse is among the substitutes.

    Burnley XI: Dubravka, Laurent, Esteve, Worrell, Walker, Ugochukwu, Hannibal, Humphreys, Edwards, Anthony, Flemming

    Subs: Weiss, Pires, Ekdal, Hartman, Florentino, Ward-Prowse, Tchaona, Bruun Larsen, Barnes

    Graphic showing Burnley line upImage source, BBC Sport
  5. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 13:30 GMT 21 February

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    There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to Aston Villa v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Bournemouth", for instance.

    Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

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  6. Chelsea v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:36 GMT 20 February

    Chris Adams
    BBC Sport journalist

    Liam Rosenior's 100% record as Chelsea head coach may have come to an end last week, but his side's excellent league form since he took charge is indisputable and they will be big favourites to return to winning ways when struggling Burnley visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

    Four wins and a draw under the Englishman have propelled them from eighth in the table to fifth, with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro contributing nine of the Blues' 13 goals in those five games.

    Blues know the score

    Both players were on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United on 10 February, the 24th league game in which the west London side have found the net this term. No team has scored in more individual games.

    But while goals haven't been a problem under Rosenior or his predecessor Enzo Maresca, holding on to a lead has, especially at Stamford Bridge. No top-flight club has dropped more points from a winning position at home this season than Chelsea.

    This graphic highlights a significant struggle for Chelsea during the 2025-26 Premier League season: an inability to hold on to leads at home. As of February 19, 2026, Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions at Stamford Bridge, the highest total of any team in the league for home matches.

    The Blues boast a more than favourable record against Burnley - they've lost just one of their 19 Premier League encounters, winning 13 of them.

    Having lost 2-1 at home to Sunderland and 3-1 away at Leeds this term, Chelsea will want to avoid an unwanted first – they've never lost to all three promoted sides in a single league campaign before.

    Parker on the precipice?

    Any optimism Burnley fans gleaned from their remarkable comeback victory over Crystal Palace last week – a first league win in 17 games – was quickly extinguished when their side were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage by Mansfield Town of League One.

    With Burnley 19th in the table, nine points adrift of safety, head coach Scott Parker's position has come under increasing scrutiny and the league's worst defence – with 51 goals conceded – will surely be tested again against a free-scoring Chelsea side.

    Jaidon Anthony's leveller against Palace, his sixth league goal of the campaign, made him the Clarets' top scorer this season and indeed the former Bournemouth forward leads the way for the Clarets in several attacking metrics.

    This image displays a performance table highlighting Jaidon Anthony's statistics for Burnley in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season. He leads for his club in goals (6), goal involvements (7), chances created (24), shots (30), and touches in the opponent's box (66).

    Worryingly, ahead of a second successive Premier League trip to London, Burnley have conceded at least twice in each of their last eight top-flight away games in the capital.

    In fact, the east Lancashire side haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 23 league away games in England's top tier, since a 2-0 win at Fulham in December 2023. It's the longest run by a side in the competition since Aston Villa's 26-game stint between February 2016 and July 2020.

  7. Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Burnleypublished at 18:37 GMT 20 February

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    So much for me thinking that Burnley might give their fans something to cheer about by going on a good FA Cup run.

    After their brilliant fightback to beat Crystal Palace in their last league game, the Clarets made changes against Mansfield and went out on their own patch to a League One side.

    I just can't see anything other than a home win for Chelsea here, even with their wobble last time at Stamford Bridge where Leeds fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 - Liam Rosenior's side won't let that happen again.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

    You can listen to BBC Radio Lancashire's commentary on Saturday's game on 95.5FM, DAB & Freeview 712 with Gary Hunt & Glen Little.

  8. Parker on Broja's fitness, Anthony's form and Chelseapublished at 15:24 GMT 19 February

    Nat Hayward
    BBC Sport journalist

    Media caption,

    Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (15:00 GMT).

    You can listen to BBC Radio Lancashire's commentary on Saturday's game on 95.5FM, DAB & Freeview 712 with Gary Hunt & Glen Little.

    Here are the key lines from Parker's news conference:

    • Parker confirmed Armando Broja will not be fit to return to his former club: "He has picked up a little bit of an issue, which has been ongoing for a few weeks now, and we have had to intervene. He shouldn't be too long - hopefully a couple of weeks from now."

    • He was asked about longer-term absentees Axel Tuanzebe and Connor Roberts: "Everyone else, apart from the long terms, is fit and well so we go down there with that squad. Axel the same[as Broja] - probably a couple of weeks away. Connor is more long term - I don't see him being available in the coming weeks or months."

    • On losing to League One Mansfield in the FA Cup after winning away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League: "There's definitely a comedown, for sure, and a little bit of a fallout. It's a game we had enough quality on the pitch to win. We lacked real quality in the final stages and that is where it can be really critical. We are hugely disappointed and frustrated with the result, coming off such a positive one against Palace. It was something we could build on but we let ourselves down."

    • On returning to his former club and facing Liam Rosenior: "I had some time there at Chelsea. Good experience. A fantastic football club and I am going up against Liam, who has done fantastically well in a short time. I came across him when he was assistant to Wayne [Rooney] at Derby and spent time in his company, and then he went abroad and did fantastically well. We are really looking forward to the game."

    • Asked if he retains the support of the club's hierarchy, Parker replied: "That question constantly comes up. I understand your questioning but I have been really consistent in what I have said. I understand it's a performance-driven business and we are working tirelessly to get the best out of this group of players, so we will carry on trying to do that."

    • On the form of top scorer Jadon Anthony: "There's still more [to come]. Jadon has done brilliantly this year in his first full season in the Premier League. He had a little dip but has bounced back very well. There's more and that will come with more experience and understanding of the league. He is a bright boy, hugely talented and just needs some time to progress. I have been hugely impressed by him."

    Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

    Listen to live commentary of Chelsea v Burnley at 15:00 on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds

    Got a question about Burnley? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

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  9. 'Board inaction has left Burnley in limbo'published at 08:08 GMT 17 February

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner
    Scott ParkerImage source, Getty Images

    The only thing we had left this season was the FA Cup. Literally the only thing.

    And for the second time this season, Scott Parker's Burnley crashed out of a cup competition at the hands of a League 1 side. At home.

    The simple fact is that Mansfield wanted it more.

    They were more competitive and positive in every position on the pitch. Some of the play - and play-acting - was embarrassing.

    We have heard so many times from the chairman and the manager this season that this is a side that won't stop fighting and that works hard.

    I am sorry, but that simply isn't translating to the pitch. Football fans aren't stupid, we can see what is put in front of us.

    I would despair at how bad this season has gotten, but I am not sure I have even got that in me any more.

    I can't even bring myself to get angry and shout and scream at anyone. I just feel defeated. And I am not alone.

    The Parker situation has gone past the point of no return now. Sure, he is out of his depth as a Premier League manager (Bournemouth and Fulham fans warned us, but we so desperately wanted it to work for him) but the bigger problem, for me, is the inaction from the board.

    Either sack him or come out and openly explain what the plan is. Doing neither has left the club in limbo, the season written off and the fans perplexed at precisely what our goals are.

    What is our transfer policy? What happens if Parker takes us up again next year? Why can't we just play in a Claret shirt?

    Has Burnley FC got an identity crisis? The fans think so.

    Anyway, 25 weeks until the start of the Championship...

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

  10. Parker 'needs to keep his whole squad happy'published at 11:35 GMT 16 February

    Scott Parker looks down dejectedlyImage source, Getty Images

    Burnley manager Scott Parker would have been trying to "keep his whole squad happy" with rotation in the FA Cup as they battle for Premier League survival, says former top-flight goalkeeper David James.

    The Clarets fell victim to the shock of the FA Cup fourth round so far with their 2-1 home defeat by League One Mansfield, after boss Parker made nine changes to his side

    Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, James said: "If Burnley were mid-table, and a win or two away from guaranteed survival, then they can [make some changes]. They can say 'the team is in a good place now, let's make a few changes and go for the cup'.

    "But if he doesn't play the players he played in that game, the nine changes, goes with his first team, even if they win then he is going to change them for the next Premier League game.

    "The players that haven't been used at all in the leaguer would be thinking 'hang on, I'm not part of any kind of survival thing now'. If they're mid-table it is fine, but because they are in a relegation battle, he needs to keep his whole squad happy, but of course [Parker's] expecting to win."

    With Burnley sitting 19th in the Premier League table, the cup exit at the hands of opposition two leagues lower has put the pressure on Parker's position.

    "If he [Parker] is good for the Championship next year, which he might be, is likely to be, surely there's an argument that you get someone else in now to see out the rest of the Premier League and then they should be [thinking about bringing him back]," suggested James.

    "If he can't keep them up then it doesn't matter whether someone else can. Bringing in someone else who you know at the end of another promotional season they're going to get into Premier League and do the same thing again, I mean you're only asking him [Parker] to do the same thing in two years time, surely?"

    Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

  11. Burnley 1-2 Mansfield - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:30 GMT 16 February

    Your Burnley opinions banner
    Media caption,

    We asked for your views on Saturday's FA Cup fourth round defeat against Mansfield.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Ian: Simply not good enough from Scott Parker, the team or the chairman. Had enough watching this rubbish putting my hard-earned money and effort on a weekend. Not going until radical changes are made, season ticket or not! Worst performances this season I can remember and been a Claret 63 years.

    Stan: What an insult to the fans, they took away the last bit of our season for no reason whatsoever. Rotation who do they think we are? Disgraceful disrespect.

    Graeme: Pathetic. Why make so many changes when the so-called forwards could have found some form? The forwards who missed the easiest of chances should tear up their contracts and leave the club in shame and take the hopeless Parker with them.

    Ian: We were toothless from start to finish. The squad players showed no desire to show what they can do. Too many times we looked weak on the ball. Barnes will always be a Burnley hero but his time has come to hang his boots up. Parker unfortunately has to go.

    Mark: A terrible performance from an all-but-relegated side. A side lacking any belief in themselves or the manager and a board of directors who thought they could buy players cheapish and sell for big profits. Not this time Burnley, you've been found out.

    John: The owner, manager and team should be ashamed of themselves. The perfect time to get a result and all we got was a group of players who looked they could not be bothered to even turn up, let alone give a display to give the fans some encouragement. Time for a clear out.

  12. Is Parker's time up at Burnley?published at 11:45 GMT 15 February

    Alex Brotherton
    BBC Sport journalist

    Scott ParkerImage source, Getty Images

    Burnley are not the first, nor will they be the last, Premier League side to ring the changes for a cup game against lower opposition.

    But having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Cardiff City back in September, the FA Cup was the supporters' only chance to distract themselves from looming relegation.

    "It is embarrassing, the changes he made. Play your strongest team. He made nine changes, and the second half was embarrassing," former Burnley defender David Unsworth said on BBC Radio Lancashire.

    "It is an embarrassing afternoon for Burnley. It gives the owner a decision to make now. He has to listen to the fans, they are not happy.

    "For the first time I have witnessed all home ends of the stadium booing and disgruntlement. The owner has a decision to make."

    Chairman Alan Pace, the leader of the club's owners ALK Capital, is not the most popular at Turf Moor either at the moment.

    This week he angered fans when, during an interview with BBC Football Focus, he dismissed fan concerns as coming from those who "just play this game on a computer somewhere".

    He went on to liken those same fans to three-year-old toddlers having a tantrum.

    Pace used Saturday's programme notes to clarify his words, writing: "I did not intend for my words to upset, but I did mean what I was trying to say which was that, just because some are upset, does not mean that things are dire and without hope."

    Many Burnley fans will be hoping Pace calls time on Scott Parker's spell in charge, though the former Premier League midfielder said he is confident is his own position at the club.

    "I am very comfortable in my position at this present moment in time. We have lost a game of football today against a team we should be beating," Parker told BBC Sport.

    "We had numerous chances. Of course you are always going to judge a result and today is a bad one, we take the flak for that, the team and myself."

    Read more on Parker's position at Burnley here

  13. Burnley 1-2 Mansfield: What Parker saidpublished at 19:04 GMT 14 February

    Media caption,

    Burnley boss Scott Parker, speaking to BBC Sport: "When I analyse the game, we missed too many chances today - glorious chances where we could have put the game out of sight. We weren't clinical enough, we missed some big chances and while it stays at 1-0, you are always on an edge and that was proven today.

    "When you don't go through to the next round there will always be questions asked about that [team selection], but I don't think that was the main factor today. We lacked a little something in those final moments. That was where we have fallen way short today.

    "What we didn't get was that little bit of quality which was needed. The fight and spirit... It was a team that had endeavour and trying for sure but the fine margins of what we do is that you need to put the ball in the net when you have big opportunities."

    On confidence in his own position at the club: "Yes. More than confident and I have said that throughout. I'm sure someone has asked you to pass that question on to me. I am very comfortable in my position at this present moment in time. We have lost a game of football today against a team we should be beating. We had numerous chances. Of course you are always going to judge a result and today is a bad one, we take the flak for that, the team and myself."

    Did you know?

    • Burnley lost a game having led at half time for the first time since November 2022 (5-2 v Sheffield United in the Championship), doing so in the FA Cup for the first time since January 2022 (2-1 v Huddersfield).

    • This is the first time since 2016-17 Burnley have been eliminated from the FA Cup by a side in the third tier or lower (1-0 v Lincoln in the fifth round).

  14. Changes come back to bite Burnleypublished at 17:41 GMT 14 February

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    Burnley players look dejected after the defeat by Mansfield Town.Image source, Getty Images

    Scott Parker made nine changes to the side that produced that brilliant comeback away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League in midweek and the weakened Clarets team ultimately came back to bite them.

    Jacob Bruun Larsen, Ashley Barnes and Loum Tchaouna all missed gilt-edged chances to put the game beyond Mansfield on the day but their lack of game-time showed with rustiness in front of goal.

    Parker's side finished with an expected goals tally of 3.82, their highest of the 2025-26 campaign by some distance - yet they were only able to find the net once.

    Had any of the chances fallen to the likes of Jaidon Anthony or Zian Flemming, you would have fancied that they would have taken them.

    It begs the question why exactly Parker made so many changes to a side that don't play again for seven days.

    A League One opponent arguably provided the perfect opportunity to build momentum and claim two successive wins for just the third time this season.

    After such a morale-boosting victory against Palace, the Clarets have been brought back down to Earth with a large bump.

    With no cup competitions left to take part in and survival chances looking increasingly slim, it looks like it may well be another season to forget.

  15. Burnley 1-2 Mansfield Town - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:56 GMT 14 February

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    Media caption,

    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

    What did you make of Burnley's display?

    Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

  16. Burnley v Mansfield: Team newspublished at 14:19 GMT 14 February

    Graphic showing Burnley line-upImage source, BBC Sport

    Burnley XI: Weiss, Hartman, Esteve, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Florentino, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Barnes

    Subs: Hladky, Worrall, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Humphreys, Flemming, Pires, Hannibal, Enock

    Mansfield XI: Roberts, Knoyle, Oshilaja, Blake-Tracy, Akins, Lewis, Reed (c), Russell, McLaughlin, Evans, Oates

    Subs: Lewis, Hewitt, Moriah-Welsh, Hendry, Bolton, Gardner, Irow, Dwyer, Adeboyejo

    Graphic showing Mansfield line-upImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Follow Saturday's FA Cup ties livepublished at 11:03 GMT 14 February

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    An image detailing how to follow your team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

    There are seven ties in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burton v West Ham" of "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Brighton", for instance.

    Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

    How to follow the FA Cup fourth round on the BBC

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  18. Parker on Ward-Prowse start, squad rotation and Mansfieldpublished at 14:24 GMT 13 February

    Melissa Edwards
    BBC Sport journalist

    Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Mansfield Town at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • January signing James Ward-Prowse, who featured as a substitute in the victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, will start the match on Saturday.

    • On the 31-year-old's debut, Parker said: "I was really pleased he came on the other night, and I thought the time and the dynamics of the game when he came on, you could see the experience. So it's another opportunity for him to get minutes because he hasn't played a lot of football."

    • On team morale since the win at Selhurst Park: "It's been good, coming off the back of an important win for us that we've been searching for for a long time - it's lifted the mood. It's been a quick turnaround and our main focus has moved onto the game at the weekend. But generally upbeat and first and foremost, pleased for the players."

    • He added: "There's no denying that it's been a tough period and certainly our mood has always been pretty upbeat, it's never really been too drastic but there's been a little bit of frustration at times and a little hurt. Football clubs are often at their best when they come off the back of a good result."

    • Josh Laurent played in multiple positions against Palace and Parker said his versatility is "invaluable" because he is able to play him in any role and the 30-year-old will always perform for him.

    • On how his side will approach the FA Cup as they try to avoid relegation from the Premier League: "The next game is our next focus. Our performance in the last round was very, very good and that gave us momentum. We're looking forward to this game and it give the players an opportunity as well. This is a game we're going to approach and competition I hold real value in. We're going to go in there and put in a good performance and hopefully we can get through to the next round."

    • On squad rotation: "There's balance to it and that definitely is the case that we'll make some changes here to freshen things up and give players who've maybe not had a lot of football to give them football to keep them up to speed. We're going with a real full squad but we'll try and get a real balance for it."

    • Parker and Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough faced each other in a 1-1 draw in 2016; when Parker was playing for Fulham and Clough managed Burton Albion in the Championship. On the tie with Mansfield, Parker said: "It's a competition of which we will all hold fond memories of. It's a competition which can give us a real lift. It's a really tough game for us, we know what Nigel's teams are like. We need to bring our quality as well as understanding of what to expect."

    Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

  19. 'Too sensible and you won't get the big gigs' - has punditry gone too far?published at 06:19 GMT 13 February

    A general view of two microphones with Sky Sports brandingImage source, Getty Images

    Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

    He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

    On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

    "As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

    "Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

    "Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

    "You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

    "My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

    Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

    "For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

    "It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

    "Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

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