Burnley 1 Southampton 1: Five things we learned

Bobby Madley had to walk the gauntlet of a furious Turf Moor as he left the pitch at the final whistle.

His major contribution had been to get in Ashley Westwood’s way in the centre circle in the final minute. Let’s be honest, as Southampton’s attack began Madley would have been desperate not to see the ball end up in the back of the net.

His role incensed Burnley though and they also felt there was perhaps an argument that Manolo Gabbiadini had fouled Kevin Long as he turned to score. It would have been soft, but it would also have been justice done.

Madley also missed Alex McCarthy handle outside his area in the second half as he tried to beat Aaron Lennon to a loose ball. Not his finest afternoon.

JEFF HENDRICK

With Burnley reverting to 4-4-1-1 against the Saints Hendrick was back in his number 10 role, playing just behind Ashley Barnes.

In the past couple of weeks Sean Dyche has praised Hendrick’s contribution in that role and how he operates for the team, but it was fairly obvious on Saturday that he is becoming a source for the frustration of supporters when things aren’t going well.

It certainly wasn’t the Republic of Ireland midfielder’s best afternoon, but he did get in more encouraging positions. He was crowded it when in a good position in the first half and then almost made it to a Johann Berg Gudmundsson through ball in the second half, before playing a role in the goal.

As Dyche has said it’s a role Hendrick is still learning and the only way to learn is to play it, but he certainly looks more comfortable in a deeper midfield role at the moment.

ENGLAND CALLING

Gareth Southgate was back at Turf Moor yesterday and he had plenty to look at, with 12 of the 22 starters eligible for the Three Lions.

From a Burnley perspective Nick Pope and Ben Mee will certainly have caught the eye. Mee was named sponsors’ man of the match, incredibly for the first time at Turf Moor this season.

But Pope turned in an excellent display, bar one mishit clearance in the first half, and made an exceptional second half save to turn a Josh Sims shot onto the post.

The goalkeeping situation is one that must be troubling Southgate at the moment, with Joe Hart and Fraser Forster benched at their respective clubs, while Jack Butland made a major error for Stoke City on Saturday.

The difficulty for Southgate might be which Burnley goalkeeper to pick. Tom Heaton is closing in on a return and if he gets the gloves back from Pope at club level then it must strengthen his own international claims.

But Heaton may not be back before the next international squad is picked towards the end of March, which might give Pope the chance to impress.

WARD OR TAYLOR

A few weeks ago Dyche said Stephen Ward had ‘credit in the bank’ following an impressive 18 months or so at left-back, and his immediate return to the side from injury on Saturday showed how valued he is by the Turf Moor boss.

Charlie Taylor has done little wrong in deputising for Ward, making a strong start to his Premier League career and he certainly looks a serious long-term prospect for the Clarets.

But Dyche is correct when he speaks of Ward’s own improvement in that role in the last couple of seasons and while his recall might be harsh on Taylor, his own chance will surely come again.

BARNES V WOOD

Scoring goals has been an issue for Burnley all season, but perhaps the competition between Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood can help spur the Clarets on now.

Barnes’ goal yesterday took him to five this season, the same tally as Wood, with Sam Vokes a couple further back.

Barnes has always been honest in admitting he sets himself targets in front of goal and he’ll want to add to that number between now and the end of the campaign, while he also knows he has to keep playing well now the fit-again Wood is breathing down his neck.

Saturday’s goal for Barnes also took him two clear of Vokes as Burnley’s leading scorer in the Premier League, with 15. Not a bad return for a player who cost just £450,000.