Lancashire

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The scenes at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon told a very clear story: the seats were either empty or emptying, as Burnley once again failed to find a way to break down a side that didn't really have to break into a sweat to beat them.

So many posts across the various social media channels told tales of fans opting to do something else with their time, something better than watching another 90 minutes of dreary Parkerball: holidays with family; taking up a new hobby; pub with friends. Some posts talked of a decision not to renew their season ticket this year, often the first time in a long time.

I listened to about 12 seconds of Scott Parker's post-match interview. I didn't need to listen to any more, it's the same old nonsense he has been pushing out all season. Nothing has changed. Nothing is going to change.

The harsh reality is that as incredible a person Scott Parker is (and I bring no joy in what I am about to say) he simply does not have what it takes to manage at the top level. Perhaps no manager could keep Burnley in the top flight any more, but even if we accept that as true, what I cannot accept is such a dogged refusal to do anything differently.

I really wanted this to work for him. I really did.

If Parker, and the board and the players had proactively changed their approach throughout the season to try to improve things, then I wouldn't feel the apathy I do towards them. There's no accountability, no jeopardy. We are seeing more and more mistakes across our website, programmes and fixtures lists - there seems to be no pride in what we produce any more.

A summer reset is badly needed. From all of us.

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

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Shaun: Typical Burnley! Played okay but with very little quality in the final third. Concede first, then have a good spell but don't kick on! The substitutions made were baffling again. Championship here we come!

Martin: Scott Parker is in cloud cuckooland if he thinks it was an even game. Forget stats - Brighton should have been out of sight by half time. I lost count of the number of times we lost possession. We had no quality without Hannibal Mejbri. This was one of the worst performances of the season, and that's saying something.

Paul: Woeful. The score flattered us. Brighton should have had another two in first half. We are toothless and low on confidence. Parker seems to have coached out any determination from the squad.

Michael: That's the least I've cared about a Burnley game since the Cotterill era. It's not necessarily that we're really bad, it's just bland, nothingness devoid of any excitement or emotion.

Brighton fans

David: A scruffy game but only to be expected against a side almost down, so we did not miss Lewis Dunks stability. We have the ability to take points from all of our remaining fixtures, so the dream of Europe is still alive.

Olly: A good win but made hard work of it. It is still a worry the number of chances that are missed. At least they have momentum for the final games and, if they keep it up, Europe next year is a real possibility.

Andrew: So good to see Brighton getting results against the lower teams too. The recent consistency must silence Fabian Hurzeler's critics.

Steve: Our quest for European football continues. Though the performance wasn't the best, the result is all that matters. But for a couple of very tight offside decisions this result may have been so different!

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 2-2 Everton

• Burnley 0-2 Brighton

• Liverpool 2-0 Fulham