‘He was brave’ – Burnley boss Scott Parker hails ‘brilliant’ player after Leeds United win

Burnley manager Scott Parker has praised James Trafford for his “brave” performance against Leeds United last time out.
   The Burnley goalkeeper was man of the match for his side as they picked up an impressive three points at Elland Road.    They won 1-0, with winger Luca Koleosho scoring the winner for them in the first half in West Yorkshire.

   The 21-year-old Trafford caught the attention of the visitors as he kept a clean sheet.    He has started four of his side’s five league games so far this season.

   Parker was delighted and said, as reported by the Burnley Express: “He was brilliant, it was exactly what Traffs needed so I’m very happy for him.    He needed a result and a match, and he got it.    This is a guy who had a rough year last year, I’m sure he’d be the first to say that.    Mentally and psychologically, it was a difficult season for him.

   “We’re going to need everything from him this year and I thought he was brilliant. That last act of his probably summed up his game in terms of getting the cross and getting through bodies when the team needs oxygen and we need some air. He’s going to take the pressure off, he was  brave and he executed it very well.”

   Ace Burnley was welcomed

   Burnley managed to keep hold of Trafford in the last transfer window after the deadline.

   He moved to Turf Moor just over 12 months ago following their promotion to the Premier League under former manager Vincent Kompany.

   The England youth international made 28 appearances last campaign as they were eventually relegated after finishing in the bottom three along with Luton Town and Sheffield United.

   Trafford is under contract with the Clarets until June 2027.

   He played for Cockermouth and Carlisle United before moving to Manchester City.    The goalkeeper rose through the academy ranks at the Etihad Stadium and represented them at various youth levels.

   The Cumbria-born man never played a first game for Pep Guardiola’s side and was loaned out to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers to get some experience under his belt.

   City then sold him for good when Burnley came calling.

   What now?

   Trafford will take a lot of confidence from the Clarets’ win against Leeds United.

   Promotion is the aim for Parker’s men and they have adapted well to life in the second division.

   They have 10 points in the table from their first five games and are fourth in the table behind West Brom, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

   Next up is a home game against newly promoted Portsmouth, who will be expected to keep the momentum going.