Burnley have been issued with a wake up call as their fans slam their side’s ‘shambolic’ 3-1 defeat to West Brom.
An own goal from Callum Styles in the 8th minute had the Clarets ahead, but the Baggies fought back with Harry Whitwell levelling the scoreline 10 minutes later.
Then Isaac Price scored twice in the second half to complete the comeback and maintain West Brom’s perfect start to Championship season, while it’s Burnley’s first loss of new campaign, following the 2-2 draw with West Ham on the opening weekend.
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Burnley’s Nicky Hayen said, as per the club website: “First of all, it was totally deserved [to lose]. I think they had much more energy than us, they showed it on the pitch in duels and second balls.
“We played too slowly. We were far away from the level of last week and we said it in the dressing room, if we are really at our best, we’re really a top team. But if you play a performance like this, you’re just an average team. We have to go back to everything that we did well last week because today it was not good enough.”
On the second half performance: “This is what you have to bring every single week, even midweek [last week’s performance]. The difference between a good player and a top player, you aways have to deliver these performances even if it’s hard, even if you’re tired. You just have to have that mindset.
“Also, in the duels and second balls, you just saw it in the last ball in the game, they kicked the ball in the stands. If the foot was between, the foot was also in the stands, and we were just pulling our foot back instead of going in the duel. This is something we have to improve.
“We didn’t stay in the structure [in the second half]. You also saw the body language in our players change, the belief was there last week and now it was more difficult. There cannot be a difference in a home and away game because we want to always perform in the same way. This is something that we have to do better.
“Of course we have players who are disappointed, who start on the bench, but they have to bring new energy into the team if they come on and don’t stay disappointed if you’re losing in that moment. We have a lot of things that we can improve but we knew it would be a little bit like this – we need some time and I know in football you don’t have the time. Step by step we’re getting there but today was not good.”
Looking ahead to the Bradford game: “We will make some changes; we want to keep everyone involved. Everyone has to show their quality for the team; there’s no difference for me between the first player and number 18. They just have to deliver quality. Even the starters today, they didn’t show all the quality that they are capable of.
“Every game is important for our Club. We are a top Club. That means you want to win every game; that’s also the expectation. We just have to manage this in a good way, so Wednesday will be an important game.”
On Zian Flemming, he told Sky Sports: “If there is an offer that suits the finances of the club, then maybe the transfer can be done, but I want him to stay.
“Everyone has the ambition to play in the Premier League, so if he can make that step then okay, everything should be in place, but as long as that’s not the case, Zian stays with us.”
“It was totally deserved” 😡
Nicky Hayen admits his side were second best against West Brom this afternoon ❌ pic.twitter.com/7bZeyj9NjW
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 23, 2026
West Brom boss James Morrison said, as per the club website:
Morrison said: “I’m very happy with that today. I really enjoyed watching the performance. I thought the intensity was exactly where it needed to be because Burnley are strong opponents.
“I thought we ran all over them and they struggled to deal with that. At the top end of the pitch we showed our quality. I’ll enjoy that tonight.
“I thought it was a 50-50 game. I thought there were some sloppy moments at the start of the game where we would give the ball away and then they’d counter.
“We missed a few tackles on the counter, but then we had a spell where we were keeping the ball really nicely and we were waiting for the spaces to open up, which is where the goal came from. The first goal came at a good time for us and I’m really pleased for Harry because he deserved that.
“Our intensity pleased me and so did doing the basics well. We fought for our team-mates and we ran back and won plenty of tackles. At the top end of the pitch there were plenty of combinations and we got balls into the box.
“We had to respect the opponents today because they’ve just come down from the Premier League and they’ve got some top players. There were times where we had to defend, and we did that really well.
“To concede the first goal was a knock. It happened, so we had to regroup. We talk about momentum in games and we had to swing it back our way and we did that by moving the ball around. When the opportunity came around, it was a composed finish from Harry.
“Isaac Price made it 2-1 and he was knocking on the door with that type of strike last week – I think it’s his signature finish, that curler into the far corner. At the break, I could smell the game was there for us so it was just about getting the belief into the players in terms of a fast start through intensity and the work we’ve been doing in pre-season. The lads applied that intensity and I feel like Burnley struggled with it.
“They didn’t manage to create too many chances in the second period and we’ve got to take pride in clean sheets. We’d conceded in the last two games and I wasn’t happy about it, so, having conceded in the first half, I thought it was really important to keep a clean sheet in the second half.”
“We’ve got to learn from last season” 💪
Isaac Price discusses how West Brom can kick on in the Championship this season 📈 pic.twitter.com/iIReFM5dFP
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 23, 2026
Burnley are issued with a wake up call as fans slam the ‘shambolic’ 3-1 defeat to West Brom…
@vivavenkys: Defeated isn’t the word, we meekly surrendered. For professional players to lack commitment is embarrassing. Edwards pulled out of numerous tackles, he needs to have a good look at himself.
@Bensonsleftfoot: Absolutely embarrassing the worst we’ve played in 4 years and for 2 of that Parker managed
@waltonyeah: A few of them need a rocket up their arse. Wouldn’t be bothered if I never saw Edwards again. Ramsey didnt do enough last week to deserve a start, and he was even worse this week. Humphreys is all over the place. Seems like zero leadership out there.
@liampreston83: totally fucking unacceptable…..i can take a defeat, but the lack of effort was alarming. Hayen has a massive job turning this group’s mentality around
@MiDadSellsAvon: P!ss poor. We have a RB playing at CB, and a CB playing at LB. No wonder we can’t defend… Going forward, no pace out wide, and after today’s performance, a lack of desire from a handful of players.
@kjohno10:
Remember last week when everyone told you…
– Burnley are a good side
– They will be challenging for promotion
– They’re an experienced Championship team
– Point is a good result
Utter rubbish from our happy clappers. Just open your eyes, we are nowhere near good enough.
@dbraddock47: Absolutely hideous performance that. Multiple players put in 0/10 performances. I’m hoping that game was just this seasons version of our games against Watford and Sunderland in the last 2 Championship campaigns, but I’m not sure it is.
@rhamilton1882:
An absolutely shockingly abysmal performance that,
Weiß should of done better for their first goal
Get Hannibal and Ramsey to fuck they’re shite and they offer nothing,
Raghouber is nothing special
Walker and Roberts both past it
JBL our best player today
#TwitterClarets
@rushy_sport: It’s easy to get carried away after a game like this, but it’s not just about this game. It’s been going on all throughout 2026 and even further back. The owners are finally getting punished for all their bad decisions. This season is about avoiding League One #twitterclarets
@martinjcook84: @AlanPaceBFC can only paper over cracks for so long before the edifice comes crashing down. You’ve sold & sold & sold every season. No squad built. Our successful years in PL were built on stability not a revolving door. Bring in quality, replace what you’ve sold! #twitterclarets
