All the talking points from Burnley’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

CROSS WITH CROSSING

BURNLEY did not actually play badly in the Palace reverse.

Time and time again, particularly in the first half, they found space and possession to deliver balls into the box. But time and time again the delivery was poor.

Almost all of the Clarets’ eight corners either did not beat the first man or were overhit.

Almost every Burnley player failed to find their range with their passing.

And almost every Burnley fan groaned as the pattern continued throughout the game.

With Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, neither of who had their greatest game, in such prolific form in recent weeks, service into the frontmen is crucial. Barnes showed with his late header, from a neat Ashley Westwood delivery, what he can do and Wood was unfortunate to be see his powerful effort well saved by Hennessey after Burnley had managed to put together a constructive attacking move.

Solve the distribution issue and the Clarets will create more chances and score more goals.

PLAN B

BURNLEY introduced Peter Crouch off the bench for the final 10 minutes for the third time in four games since his arrival.

He came close to scoring in added time when Hennessy did well to touch his scuffed effort past the post.

We all know Crouch’s credentials and what he can do. He showed on debut against Southampton that he can have a positive impact.

Indeed, he contributed his fair share against Palace, and there is no slight on the 38-year-old’s effort.

The issue is that if Burnley are behind, their strategy of lump it up to the big men, is not going to solve every problem.

Palace had defended well throughout and the Clarets need to find some guile to unlock defences when required.

BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM

DEFEAT to Palace dropped Burnley to 16th in the table, three points clear of Southampton and five ahead of Cardiff.

You feel the Clarets have to finish above one of those two to beat the drop.

The Bluebirds entertain West Ham next weekend while the Clarets are at Liverpool.

But Burnley then host Leicester and Wolves before Neil Warnock’s side play again.

If Sean Dyche’s side can ensure the gap is bigger than five points by the time Cardiff play Chelsea on the final day of March then a Clarets victory when the two sides meet at Turf Moor on April 13 should be enough to ensure Burnley stay up.

Plotting points gained can sometimes be a fruitless exercise but the fixture list offers the Clarets a chance to delivery a psychological blow.