Neil Bramwell Speaks Out

THE end of November is too early to be talking in earnest about crisis and relegation.

But Tuesday's humiliating 3-0 FA Cup exit at the hands of Third Division Rotherham was a grave warning that panic stations should be manned.

Personally, I have never seen a professional football side perform with so little pride and commitment.

Neutrals were stunned by Burnley's abysmal display.

For the committed 3,000 fans it must have been gut-wrenching.

Obviously, a million and one factors combine to result in a such a horror show.

A select few need urgent attention if Chris Waddle is turn a troubled start in management into the glory craved when he was appointed in July.

First and foremost, the attitude of the players must be reversed.

They were ultimately responsible for Tuesday's garbage.

It is perfectly clear they are not a happy bunch.

But many people are unhappy in their workplace and still show a professional attitude.

Whatever the problems at Turf Moor, these men should not forget that to play sport for a living is a privilege.

And the people that pay their wages - the long-suffering Burnley fans - cannot be expected to stomach anything other than total commitment. Secondly, and still on the playing side, a major tactical rethink is needed.

The team needs a simple and recognisable shape.

Continual tinkering with formation and game plan can only confuse the players.

Obviously, fine-tuning is necessary to cope with injury and opposition strategy.

But too many players looked either out of position or unsure about their role against Rotherham.

There was hardly any movement off the ball with the result that Burnley's attacking play was as predictable as a Trevor Brooking match analysis.

Let's get back to a consistent and rigid 4-4-2 formation with Waddle hugging the right touchline.

Finally, the manager needs support from every quarter.

In particular, the board should be bending over backwards to solve the Gerry Creaney stalemate.

Having off-loaded Marco Gentile - saving a hefty wage bill in the process - and with Jamie Hoyland and Nigel Gleghorn out on loan, money must surely be available.

If that means breaking a club pay structure to accommodate one man, then so be it.

These are not yet desperate times but Tuesday's show was extraordinary.

And extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

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