‘Defeatist’ Scott Parker slammed as Burnley suffer FA Cup upset after making nine changes despite impending relegation

There were boos at full time as Burnley lost to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup, but he’s also been slammed by the talkSPORT team.

The Clarets made a total of nine changes to their team from their 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in midweek.

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And it backfired spectacularly as the League Two side knocked the Premier League side out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.

Burnley opened the scoring against Nigel Clough’s men through Josh Laurent, and it all looked to be going well for the home side.

But the second half was very different as Mansfield equalised through Rhys Oates with a towering header.

And the winner was even more special.

In the 80th minute in front of the few thousand Mansfield away fans, Louis Reed stepped up to take a free-kick.

It was around 30 yards from goal, and he whistled a stunning effort into the back of the net.

But while Mansfield deserve their plaudits, Adrian Durham and Chris Iwelumo were baffled at Parker’s selection considering Burnley are 19th in the Premier League and nine points from safety.

Speaking after the defeat for the Clarets, Durham said: “Why didn’t they go for it? They made nine changes and they’re going down.”

In response, former striker Iwelumo said: “It’s a strong team, he’s chosen individuals who can go out there and get the job done. The players have to take the responsibility for that…they’ve not delivered.

“Second half, they were second best all over the pitch…that’s a hard pill to swallow for Scott Parker, he has to do something about it.

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“He needs to be motivational, I think he’s quite defeatist in his demeanour.

“He needs to protect his players, okay, realistically they’re going down, but it’s still mathematically possible they can stay up.

“He has to create an environment they can thrive in, I think they’re playing within themselves, and I think he’s got to be a motivator in the right way, to go and lead by actions.

“The environment at the training ground has to be one that they can come in and kick on.”

“I’ve been in a relegation battle in the Premier League under Mick McCarthy, you never knew you were in one because he created an environment, the staff, everyone had a part to play, the players will play up to that and I don’t really get that that’s what’s happening here.

“They were nowhere near good enough today.

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“I look at his demeanour, he’s very emotional. I think it’s hard, of course, it’s an emotional thing being a manager, but you have the responsibility to lead by example.

“Yeah, you’re under pressure to go and win whatever league you’re in, but the players have to buy into it and look at the manager and say: ‘Right okay, the confidence is there, let’s go’.

“I just don’t see it.”

Players should take some blame

Minto then partly defended Parker and took aim at the Burnley players who failed to perform against Mansfield.

He said: “Parker made nine changes, but they’re still a good side. 

“Florentino [Luis], [James] Ward-Prowse, [Jacob] Bruun Larsen, [Lyle] Foster, are you telling me that that team Scott Parker picked isn’t good enough to beat a midtable League One side? 

“So for me, he’s got to look at the players and say hold on a minute, I’m giving you the chance, it’s an FA Cup game.

“They had that great character at Palace in midweek…so I think Parker has picked a team more than good enough to beat a League One side.”