Burnley manager Scott Parker blasts busy schedule as they fall behind Leeds United
Burnley head coach Scott Parker has blasted the 'tough schedule' after his side drew 0-0 away at Middlesbrough on Sunday night.
His side have gained four points post-Christmas Day, first beating fellow promotion-contenders Sheffield United 2-0 0n Boxing Day - becoming the first side to score at Bramall Lane since August. Three days later, they were forced to settle for the goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium.
In the same time, Chris Wilder's Sheffield United have only gained one point and thus lost top spot in the Championship. On Sunday, they drew 1-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion.
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Leeds United have stormed to top of the tree ahead of the New Year. A 2-0 win at Stoke City on Boxing Day and a 1-0 victory at Pride Park against Derby County has brought some festive cheer around Elland Road.
Parker believes that the schedule has 'not been the best of friends' with Burnley over the Christmas period. However, he has been pleased with how his team has reacted in that situation.
“Overall it’s a good point," Parker said. "We’ve had some tough fixtures and I knew this would be a big test for us. Not just in terms of the opposition we were facing, but just in terms of where we were after a tough schedule.
"The fixtures have probably not been the best of friends since they came out at the start of the season - Sheffield United away on Boxing Day was a tough game and tonight as well. But overall I’m really pleased with the team.
“It was tempting to make changes, of course, but they’re the decisions as a manager you’re constantly having to face. It wasn’t an easy decision but I think it was proven right. I did consider freshening things up to maybe give us a spark because we’ve just had a tough game at Sheffield United, but the players were superb."
Burnley welcome Stoke to Turf Moor on New Year's Day before making the short journey to Ewood Park on Saturday to face rivals Blackburn Rovers. The current third place side take on Leeds in late January.
