CITY 1 BURNLEY 4

WHAT is about Burnley pre-season friendlies and bearded signings?

Last year’s game at Turf Moor was preceded by the lunchtime news that City had captured Paul Anderson.

And on Saturday, the chief talking point from Valley Parade was not so much Stuart McCall’s second managerial homecoming as the unveiling of midfield warrior Romain Vincelot.

As captures go, his was a statement of intent from the new era.

Judging by what Vincelot saw after, that could not have happened quickly enough.

Vincelot’s first view of his new team-mates was something of a mixed bag.

There was very good – Timothee Dieng once again playing with great energy all over the pitch and showing a good eye for a pass – and the good as Mark Marshall continued to look eager on the ball, even if he did delay his crossing at times.

But there was also the downright disturbing with the defending of at least a couple of Burnley’s goals.

McCall was right to highlight the Premier League class and movement of Andre Gray, who helped himself to the first two. A fee now worth £9 million after promotion looks money very well spent.

But with three-quarters of the regular back four absent, those who stepped in did not convince. It has not been a smooth transition so far for goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

With less than a fortnight before Port Vale visit Valley Parade for the real thing, there are still issues to resolve.

Up front, McCall remains frustrated with his wish to partner Jordy Hiwula with James Hanson. The big man is hopefully back into full training today and needs minutes on the pitch.

Without him, City tried gamely enough against opponents who utilised their full senior squad. They did open them up and threaten on occasions but with no Hanson as the focal point it neutralised the effect of getting crosses into the box.

The football was generally good and the Valley Parade crowd, many seeing McCall’s team for the first time, generously applauded the efforts to keep the ball on the floor and moving.

The prospect of adding Vincelot’s combination of guile and steel to Dieng’s athleticism in the middle of the park is already an appealing one.

City had looked the brighter of the teams for the first 15 minutes before Burnley struck with the first of three in a rat-a-tat blast that decided the contest. Six minutes of madness, to rework a phrase that needs no explanation in these parts.

The build-up and execution oozed Premier League.

There seemed no threat whatsoever when Filipe Morais, playing as a number ten behind Billy Clarke, gave up possession with a backheel by the corner of the Burnley box.

But suddenly the ball was swept one end to the other. George Boyd, always an impressive figure against City, swapped passes with Republic of Ireland international Stephen Ward and his cross was bulleted inside the near post by Gray.

Two minutes later, Dean Marney’s long ball over the top set Gray scampering. One touch killed it and the next was a precise lob to catch Doyle in two minds half out of his goal.

Two then became three – and worryingly City were undone from a set-piece for the third time in a week. It was St Johnstone again as nobody picked up the blond head of Ben Mee from David Jones’s corner and the centre half headed home easily.

A full-strength Claret side were threatening to take City’s more makeshift outfit to the cleaners.

To their credit, the hosts responded. Billy Clarke hit the post and Paul Anderson’s overhead kick flew over, his most meaningful contribution of a peripheral afternoon.

The goal came just before the break. Marshall’s shot fell to Clarke in a penalty-area melee and his effort deflected into the path of Morais to finish.

Sean Dyche, one of only three English managers left in the top flight, made 12 changes – sub Lukas Jutkiewicz being replaced himself after tweaking a hamstring.

The fluidity of the game predictably suffered after the break and there was little between the teams.

But Burnley helped themselves to a fourth which Tony McMahon will not want to see again on film.

Tendayi Darikwa drilled a dangerous loss ball into the six-yard box where the right back made a total hash of his clearance, allowing Michael Kightly to happily accept the rebound.

CITY: Doyle, McMahon, N Clarke, Knight-Percival, Devine, Marshall, Dieng, Law, Anderson (Agnew 61), Morais (Hiwula 61), B Clarke (Webb-Foster 74). Subs (not used): Boateng, Payne, Sattelmaier.