Burnley boss Scott Parker has highlighted the importance of maintaining a solid defensive foundation as his side prepares for their upcoming derby against Preston North End.
While much has been made of Burnley’s recent struggles in front of goal, Parker was quick to praise his team’s impressive defensive performances, which have seen them concede just four goals in eight league matches this season. Notably, Burnley have kept consecutive clean sheets in their last two fixtures, an achievement that Parker believes has provided the team with a platform to build upon.
Speaking to Matt Scrafton of the Burnley Express ahead of the Preston clash, Parker emphasised the value of defensive stability, particularly given the youthful nature of his current backline. “It’s amazing,” Parker said. “The back four we’ve had for the last three or four games is a young, young back four. There’s a right-back who is a left footer who was brought to the football club where we ideally see him as a left-sided centre-half but, if not, a left-back. But Bash [Humphreys] is playing at right-back and has done incredible.”
Parker went on to highlight the contributions of CJ Egan-Riley and Lucas Pires, both of whom have made a significant impact despite their relative inexperience. “Young CJ, who has not had a lot of football, has come in and has been rock solid. Lucas Pires coming in from a new environment and a new culture and Traff [James Trafford], who had some tough moments last year at certain times,” Parker explained.
The manager reserved special praise for the collective efforts of his defensive unit, including goalkeeper Trafford, who he believes has played a vital role in ensuring Burnley’s defensive solidity. “As a back unit, including the keeper, there is big credit to all of them because all of this is new. Some of them are learning on their feet, but as a group, the reason why we have been so secure is because of what we’ve managed to do as a team.”
Despite their defensive success, Parker is acutely aware of the need to improve in front of goal. Burnley have scored just five times in their last six games, a statistic the manager is keen to change. “We all want to score goals, we all want to be this free-flowing side,” he said. “On Tuesday night, we had the opportunities. At half-time we maybe should have been 2 or 3-0 up and the game should be out of sight, but it wasn’t the case.”
As Burnley strive to find a better balance between defensive solidity and attacking prowess, midfielder Josh Brownhill has been quietly making headlines for a different reason. The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract, leaving his future at the club uncertain. Brownhill has been a key player for Burnley since joining from Bristol City in 2020, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, speculation has mounted over whether he will remain at Turf Moor.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Brownhill expressed his willingness to stay but acknowledged that the decision is not entirely in his hands. “Yeah of course. It’s one of them where my contract is coming to an end, is it in the club’s best interests to sort me out or is it mine?” Brownhill said. “I’ve got a year left and I just want to keep focusing on performing very well, winning games and scoring goals.”
The midfielder, who has built a strong connection with Burnley’s supporters, is aware that the end of the season will bring with it some difficult decisions. “When it comes to the end of the year the decision has to be made. Is it the right thing for me to stay? Is it the right thing for the club to want me to stay? A lot can change in that time,” Brownhill remarked.
As Burnley continues to focus on improving results on the pitch, both Parker’s focus on defensive organisation and Brownhill’s future will remain key talking points for Clarets fans in the weeks to come.
Writer’s View
Burnley’s recent defensive displays have been nothing short of impressive, and Scott Parker deserves real credit for how he has shaped a young backline into one of the most solid units in the Championship. With an average age of just 21.6, this youthful defence has shown maturity beyond its years, navigating difficult fixtures and protecting narrow leads with composure.
Parker’s focus on building from a strong defensive foundation has provided the team with the stability they need, even while their attacking fluency remains a work in progress. It’s a testament to his coaching that players like Bashir Humphreys and CJ Egan-Riley have seamlessly slotted into key roles. The manager’s comments about the team’s organisation and resilience in ‘dogging it out’ in games shows a pragmatic side that could be crucial in Burnley’s promotion push.
