05 March 2024 , 02:00
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Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has responded in the face of stinging Roy Keane criticism, saying the absurd thing is he's improved as a manager this season.
The Clarets were thumped 2-0 at home by Bournemouth last time out, arguably putting the final nail in their relegation coffin. Kompany's men are now seven points behind relegation rivals Luton in 17th and 11 behind Nottingham Forest and survival.
Manchester United legend Keane hit out at Burnley's performance following the defeat by the Cherries. "Do you know what, they've been dreadful. They've been dreadful," said Keane on Sky Sports.
"We talk about teams having a style of play in the Championship and trying to compare it to the Premier League, it's chalk and cheese. It's impossible. They look weak physically.
"The goals they're giving away, it's schoolboy stuff. They gave away a goal against Arsenal last week. You wouldn't see it on a Sunday morning, it's dreadful. I admire managers who have a philosophy and a style of play, but you've got to adapt. They've been nowhere near good enough, it's embarrassing the way things have been going for them."
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Kompany has now responded to the result and the criticism levelled at him, claiming he's learnt from his experience managing in the top flight - despite how the season has panned out for Burnley.
"That's when you progress most. Every book says it. It's just really rough to be in it. But that's why you get better," said Kompany. "The absurdity of this job is I probably feel I've improved more this year than I ever have in my life.
"But, because you're judged by results, you're probably not having to tell this story until you're back having your wins. These moments are useful, they're just not nice."
Sunday's defeat by Bournemouth summed up Burnley's shortcomings, with the Clarets managing 20 efforts on goal but rarely looking likely to score, while Justin Kluivert's opener came from a simple ball over the top.
In their last three games, Kompany's side have conceded 10 goals and scored none, but the Manchester City legend was happy to see positive signs following last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace.
"There isn't a miracle recipe," he said. "The thing is to keep faith in your players. I said to them, I can fully put my name to this performance and I can fully be accountable for every aspect of it, the failures and the positives.
"It was more difficult for us as a group to accept the Crystal Palace performance. The side of scoring a goal or keeping the ball out of the net, it's really as simple as believing the players will turn the corner, will be able to do it."
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