Burnley head coach Scott Parker said he was “immensely proud” of his side’s defensive records after they continued their unbeaten run in a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth.
The Clarets have not conceded a league goal for 730 minutes, the longest run in their history, while James Trafford’s 20 clean sheets already this season are only matched by Tom Heaton in the 2015/16 promotion-winning campaign.
Parker, whose side lost ground on top two Leeds and Sheffield United, said: “I am immensely proud of the defensive records.
“People swing it the other way (about not scoring enough) because that is the world we are in, but it has given us a platform with a young squad that was put together with the flick of the switch. They have done
unbelievably.
“I don’t want to base our game solely on the defensive structure, I want us to be a scoring team, but that is something we need to improve at this moment in time.
“I thought it was an entertaining game, even though there were no goals. They are a tough team to come to, at home they are a different animal.
“We fell short a little today, we weren’t at our best. Defensively we were rock solid and for a decision over a penalty it might have looked slightly different.”
In a match of mostly half-chances, Trafford’s 85th-minute save to deny Matt Ritchie was the defining moment.
Parker said: “Trafford has made one world-class save to keep the goal out. The defensive unit has been solid and nullified anything we have played against.
“It is a sign of a top keeper that in their moments they pull off top saves.”
Pompey boss John Mousinho added on Trafford’s smothering save from point-blank range: “It is an outstanding save to save from Matt Ritchie, Schmeichel-esque. Potentially save of the season.”
Parker felt his side should have been awarded a second-half penalty after Andre Dozzell appeared to stop Lucas Pires’ shot with his arm on the line.
He said: “It was a penalty looking back at it. At the time with my eyes I thought it.
“I get that it happened quick and the ref might not have seen it, but he has practically caught it on the line.”
Portsmouth moved up to 20th with the point but fears of relegation remain, despite an improved performance.
Mousinho said: “We are slightly disappointed to only take a point considering the chances we created but happy with the performance against a top side in the league.
“Building on that is the most important thing going into next week and we have tried to emphasis that to the players to believe in themselves based on performances like that.
“They clearly have one of the top defensive records in the country and you can see why.
“Even when we get chances in the box, their goalkeeper bails them out.
“I thought we did some of the attacking things well and got a little unlucky. That is how Burnley’s season and defensive record has gone this season – they just don’t concede goals.”
