Claret's Honeymoon just won’t end

Thank God for the International break. Prior to the fixtures coming out I was informed by her indoors that I was required to escort her to a friends wedding this coming weekend, my immediate thoughts were one of dread as to which Burnley game I’d be forced to miss. Thankfully an England Slovenia friendly stepped in and allowing me to enjoy the use of the overpriced four start hotel to its maximum.

Although for the price of sitting in a Turkish Sauna this weekend, seven days earlier I could’ve shelled out for an overdraft busting ticket at Stamford Bridge to watch us play Chelsea.

Unable to head south to watch our 3-0 defeat by Carlo Ancelotti’s men due to work commitments I instead had to settle for the fantastic coverage on ESPN (now that’s brand loyalty for you).

The game was probably a perfect example of what most Claret’s expected our previous games against Manchester United and Everton to be like as the Blues dominated from start to finish.

Thankfully our previous point gaining performances at the Turf meant this game was an easy one to write off and forget about as we had lost to a team which look like they could be this years worthy Champions. Although, just wait until we rock the boat when the cocksure Londoners visit fortress Turf Moor at the end of January.

As the weekend ended, thoughts turned to any last minute deadline day deals that might happen. No big deals were touted which led to the sorry lack of any Sky Sports News reporters standing outside the Turf pretending to receive texts from players who were not actually about to sign.

Hull striker Daniel Cousin was heavily tipped to come in on loan and it was a surprise to both us and him when the deal fell through. Poor old Cousin had already stated his elation at sealing a move to play for Owen Coyle whilst also branding his current manager Phil Brown “bizarre and illogical” in the process. Maybe he has a point Phil?

But the real surprise came just after five o’clock when news filtered through that England’s all time leading goal-hanger and former Preston hero David Nugent had signed on a six month loan deal.

The North End fans sobbed that their prodigal son was not returning home to Deepdale as he instead choose to shack up with his new Claret and Blue mistress down the road.

So far opinion seems to be split on Nugent, for years he was the cocky figurehead for all our ill feeling towards the Knob Enders but secretly I think most admired him for being one of the Championship’s stand-out players.

Some have lambasted him for not being a natural finisher- but unfortunately you don’t get natural Premier League goal scorers on loan from Portsmouth.

To be fair to him he never got a fair crack of the whip at Pompey and should be hungry to prove all his doubters wrong. What we are getting is a very good player who will add to the versatility of our squad playing either up front or in the wide positions currently occupied by the likes of Robbie Blake and Steven Fletcher. More options in the attacking third of the field is what we need and with Nugent’s hold up play, work ethic and vision for me he is very much a welcome edition to Owen Coyle’s squad.

Following this weekend’s watching of declarations of holy matrimony will be a trip to the footballing Church of Anfield. Given the Red’s shaky start to the season it is most definitely a game we’re not writing off and we’ll be looking to show people that our Premier League honeymoon is definitely not over just yet.