MIDFIELD CONUNDRUM

MANY words have been spoken this season about Burnley’s increased strength in depth and it is most obvious following the addition of Joey Barton, in midfield.

At the Stadium of Light Barton made his 41st Burnley appearance, 246 days after his 40th, and immediately slotted back into the side alongside the impressive Steven Defour.

Both came through 90 minutes, notable considering Barton’s last competitive action was on September 10 and Defour’s record this season, and they looked good as a partnership.

Dean Marney and Jeff Hendrick will both feel they warrant a starting place when the Premier League resumes against Southampton, but four into two won’t go.

WINGING IN

A WINGER, ideally with pace, was always likely to be top of Sean Dyche’s shopping list this month having missed out on a couple of players who fitted that bill in the summer.

Having watched two of his four wide men, Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, limp off on Saturday, with a third, George Boyd, missing out on a place in the squad due to a minor injury, the need for reinforcements is now even greater.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Boyd missed out as a precaution and did travel to the Stadium of Light, while Michael Kightly came off the bench, but Burnley could be short of numbers depending on the seriousness of Arfield and Gudmundsson’s injuries.

Additions in this area are likely, but Clarets fans can almost certainly forget about renewed interest in Kamil Grosicki after the way that deal collapsed on deadline day.

THE SLOW DEATH OF THE FA CUP

OK, the 23,000 or so who stayed away on Saturday didn’t miss a classic, but the paltry crowd at the Stadium of Light was another blow to the credibility of the FA Cup, a competition that loses another layer of its mystique and shine with every passing season.

Lancashire Telegraph:

TV broadcasters and their appalling, top-six heavy live game choices should take some of the blame, and the emphasis placed on the Premier League and also on getting into the top flight often means the cup is no more than a distraction now.

This was no glamour tie, but with Sunderland reducing ticket prices to just £10 a crowd of more than 17,632 should have turned up considering the Black Cats average 41,799 in the league.

Praise should be reserved, however, for the Burnley fans who once again travelled in good number and voice.