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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

FA Cup fourth round: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Composite image of Scott Parker, Dominik Szoboszlai and Kieran Trippier talking to an assistant referee.
Scott Parker; Dominik Szoboszlai; Kieran Trippier talks to an assistant referee. Composite: Guardian Pictures / Getty / Reuters

Is support for Parker waning?

The lack of pressure on Scott Parker this season, despite a collection of desperate performances and an impending relegation, has been mystifying. Plenty at Turf Moor feel a strong sense of loyalty to Parker, especially the chairman, Alan Pace, but support in the stands is dwindling. The lack of backing in the winter transfer window left the squad short of quality and with limited routes out of their current predicament. The Burnley head coach’s Premier League record is miserable and the style of play is devoid of entertainment. At the weekend he had the chance to follow a first league victory in 17 matches at Crystal Palace with FA Cup progress against third-tier Mansfield, but instead Burnley were deservedly eliminated. The second-half efforts of the Clarets bordered on embarrassment in a half-full ground and it feels like things cannot continue like this much longer. Will Unwin

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