Burnley capitulated at the Hawthorns last night, shipping four goals to West Brom in a paltry display on 'The' Monday Night Football.
It's still been a reasonably impressive start to the season for the Clarets, who sit just five points off Lancashire neighbours Manchester United in 12th position, but top billing on Sky went about as badly as it could have, and fans of the club were furious with the team's performance as a whole.
Unfortunately, it was Ireland's midfield maestro and the club's record signing Jeff Hendrick who bore the brunt of the abuse on Twitter - an easy target, perhaps, due to his £10m record fee when he arrived from Championship outfit Derby.
It certainly wasn't Hendrick's finest hour; the 24-year-old Dub was consistently beaten in 50:50 challenges and seemed a yard off the pace throughout, scooping a ball wide of Albion's goal when one of Burnely's rare chances on the night fell his way. Long since forgotten were the lofty heights of September and October, when Ireland's breakout star from the Euros was considered one of Burnley's standout performers in an impressive start to the season.
Fans of the club, including a number who travelled to the Midlands for the fixture, were quick to voice their ire at his shift - or lack thereof - last night. Indeed, his #AskJeff hashtag, run this week by Burnley's official Twitter account, was even hijacked by angry fans.
#AskJeff When do you start playing for Burnley?
— Richard (@Richnavin86) November 21, 2016
Take of Hendrick & Arfield ! Go 4-4-2 and bring on Gray and Boyd!!😡 come on Burnley!!!!!
— Clare (@clarehaworthh) November 21, 2016
@JeffHendrick92 Well Mr Hendrick. Are you happy with your performance tonight. You and ur mates made it easy for them.
— Ged Burnley Mac (@gedmac4) November 21, 2016
Burnley, with only 1 away point, poor tonight & need to sort travel sickness out. Should expect more from likes of Hendrick/Arfield/Marney.
— Adam Gray (@AdamGray1250) November 21, 2016
Burnley paid 10 million pounds for Jeff Hendrick and people think Pogba was a rip off????????
— Harry Lister (@arrylister) November 21, 2016
#twitterclarets - cannot get that Hendrick transfer fee out of my head tonight.Wife asks me a Q and I just keep answering 10.5 million???
— Chris Flynn ☮️ (@ChristheViking) November 21, 2016
I've had piss stronger than Hendrick #twitterclarets
— Josh (@JoshPrknsn) November 21, 2016
I'm wearing 6 layers for this. Absolutely shocking. Hendrick a waste of space; get Andre or Barnsey on instead. #twitterclarets
— Jenna Higham (@Jenna_Higham) November 21, 2016
Meanwhile, over on Derby County Twitter, Rams fans were left highly amused that Nigel Pearson had somehow swindled Sean Dyche for 10 million bob. It would be fair to say they enjoyed Monday Night Football immensely from a neutral standpoint, as one of their top top players from last season struggled for his new club.
Watched Hendrick for Burnley tonight. In summary, £10m looks an unbelievable deal for us #dcfc
— Stuart Forsyth (@sjforsyth) November 21, 2016
As bad as Nigel Pearson was for us. Conning Burnley into paying 10m for Hendrick was genius. #dcfc #dcfcfans #WBABUR
— deeny (@Connor11W) November 22, 2016
We got 10 mill for Jeff Hendrick hahahahaha #dcfc #twitterclarets
— Liam (@LWTS96) November 21, 2016
I liked Hendrick but he frustrated me so many times. Sounds like he's showing that side of himself again. #dcfc #twitterclarets
— Shaun H (@crimson_crowbar) November 21, 2016
For what it's worth, we searched for more positive takes on Hendrick's display - for our own peace of mind, as much as anything. This is what we found.
Hendrick looking lethargic as hell. But unfair to put it all at Jeffs feet, we've been sloppy all over the shop #twitterclarets
— Andrew Tipler (@andrewtipler) November 21, 2016
At least nobody's swung for his hair. Take our eyes, but not Jefé's meticulous hair.
