"WE FELL SHORT TONIGHT" SAYS PARKER

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Head Coach reflects on Carabao Cup exit

2025-09-23T22:12:16.863Z

"WE FELL SHORT TONIGHT" SAYS PARKER

Head Coach reflects on Carabao Cup exit

2025-09-23T22:12:16.863Z

Head Coach reflects on Carabao Cup exit

Burnley boss Scott Parker said he was 'disappointed' the Clarets fell to defeat to Cardiff City on Tuesday evening, in a 2-1 loss that saw the home side exit the Carabao Cup competition at the third round.

Speaking after the game, Parker believes his team 'fell short', but full focus is back on the Premier League and Saturday's game against Manchester City.

“Fundamentally, it was a disappointing night really.

“Firstly, disappointing result, because we came here wanting to win the game. I think it’s fair to say performance-wise, we were way short, certainly first half, really, really short. And in terms of where we want to be, in terms of what we were, and what we are, we just felt a little bit short of our standards tonight.

“Second half, there was an improvement, but, you know, you give a team a two nil head start in the first half, we give ourselves a big climb. We had some good chances in the second half, but I think on reflection of the game if we’re all being brutally honest, we probably didn’t deserve to win tonight. So yes, disappointed.”

The two-nil lead did make it a big mountain to climb, what was Parker's message to the players in the changing room at the break?

"WE FELL SHORT TONIGHT" SAYS PARKER - Image 1

“I think there were a number of issues, there were some tactical elements we needed to fix a little bit. Generally, just us, we were poor in the first half in every phase of our game really, in terms of pressing, in terms of our intensity. We opened up the pitch really easy for the opposition. On the flip side just with the ball as well, we were quite slow at times. It was just a general mix really; we just looked a little yard off it tonight in every phase.

“Second half there was a massive improvement. I'm pleased with that, but I say that lightly because obviously the first half was very, very disappointing. Reaction in the second half was a bit more. Duels, a bit more quality with the ball and we created some good opportunities. But like I said, I think fundamentally here the overriding feeling from me, along with the players as well, is bitterly disappointed overall tonight.”

This evening's exit means full attention now turns back to the league and this weekend's trip to the Etihad.

“We wanted a good cup run, this is a competition that supplies games and gives game, so I’m disappointed we’re out of that. But we need to learn from tonight, we need to go over it and work out where we were short. Not just short we were way short in some parts of that. Of course, we need to learn from that but focus now, after tomorrow, is the big game for us at the weekend.”