Burnley manager Scott Parker would have been trying to "keep his whole squad happy" with rotation in the FA Cup as they battle for Premier League survival, says former top-flight goalkeeper David James.
The Clarets fell victim to the shock of the FA Cup fourth round so far with their 2-1 home defeat by League One Mansfield, after boss Parker made nine changes to his side
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, James said: "If Burnley were mid-table, and a win or two away from guaranteed survival, then they can [make some changes]. They can say 'the team is in a good place now, let's make a few changes and go for the cup'.
"But if he doesn't play the players he played in that game, the nine changes, goes with his first team, even if they win then he is going to change them for the next Premier League game.
"The players that haven't been used at all in the leaguer would be thinking 'hang on, I'm not part of any kind of survival thing now'. If they're mid-table it is fine, but because they are in a relegation battle, he needs to keep his whole squad happy, but of course [Parker's] expecting to win."
With Burnley sitting 19th in the Premier League table, the cup exit at the hands of opposition two leagues lower has put the pressure on Parker's position.
"If he [Parker] is good for the Championship next year, which he might be, is likely to be, surely there's an argument that you get someone else in now to see out the rest of the Premier League and then they should be [thinking about bringing him back]," suggested James.
"If he can't keep them up then it doesn't matter whether someone else can. Bringing in someone else who you know at the end of another promotional season they're going to get into Premier League and do the same thing again, I mean you're only asking him [Parker] to do the same thing in two years time, surely?"
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds