Farewell 2009: the year of the claret

As we prepare to say goodbye to one hell of a year watching Burnley Football Club we must do so with the pain of another away defeat. It's a shame that the calendar year couldn't have ended with our first premier League away win but sometimes you can't have it all in football; and we've certainly been spoilt over the last twelve months.

Having been away for the disappointing defeat to Wolves I returned a few pounds heavier for the Boxing Day draw against Bolton. It was another one of those games where I'm still not quite sure how we didn't turn one point into three, as after a dull first half Burnley well and truly battered the visitors in the second period.


There was however some gloriously spurned chances which could easily have made it to the final cut of the plethora of football blooper DVDs that had been opened across the town 24 hours earlier. Steven Fletcher in particular was guilty of a couple that in truth looked easier to score. At times I was having visions that comparisons with the likes of West Brom who play good football but don’t take their chances and go down would be coming painfully true come next May.

But there were some extremely encouraging signs, David Nugent was finally given a start alongside Fletcher and the pair linked up brilliantly. Chris Eagles was once again in sparkling form, Kevin McDonald continued to grow into his midfield role and the defensive partnership of Bikey and Duff was no nonsense and solid.

Taking all those factors into consideration, I was expecting us to give Everton a tough game on our final assignment of the year and was quietly optimistic of breaking our away duck. Things looked good for about an hour at Goodison and although the Toffee’s had some decent possession and chances we were having some very good spells ourselves and could have been ahead especially when Nugent saw his effort come back off the post.

As the game reached the sixty minute mark, Stephen Jordan decided to try and undress Steven Piennar as he got himself a fist full of the South Africans shirt. A late tackle on the Russian with the long name had already earned the Burnley left back a first half yellow card and referee Howard Webb wasted no time in brandishing a second and sending Jordan for an early bath. It was one of the few right decisions made by the shiny headed referee, whose judgement seemed to be based on the shouts of the home fans for the majority of the game.

This time it was act of stupidity that cost us, as Jordan’s offence was committed in an area of no danger to the Burnley goal with plenty of men behind the ball. Sadly, he let down his battling team mates, his manager and fans as from then on David Moyes’ men took a stranglehold on the game. As a result the lively but tiring Nugent was replaced by Kalvanes and our best hopes of snatching a victory slipped away. Soon after sub James Vaughn opening the scoring as he tapped in a cross from short range. Coyle claimed that Yakubu was standing in an offside position blocking Brain Jensen’s view, but the replays show that in the eighteenth phase of the offside rule he was played on by a loose strand on Tyrone Mears’ bootlaces.

A lovely move finished off by the excellent Steven Piennar in the end condemned us to a two nil defeat. It was a crushing blow for the players who battled hard and looked extremely disappointed at the final whistle. Nevertheless the Burnley fans provided a fantastic atmosphere without much help from the subdued home crowd (the um-pa-pa dancing to the announcement of “Police Operation Goodison” was a particular highlight).

Yesterdays result means we finish the year in thirteenth place in the Premier League, a whole twelve league places than we were at this time in 2008. It’s been a tremendous achievement by all the players and staff at the football club and a year I will never forget. Games like the emotional rollercoaster of the Carling Cup double header against Spurs, that joyful tear-jerking noisy night at the Madjeski, the thrill of Wembley and beating Manchester United in our first ever Premier League game at Turf Moor are now forever etched in the memory. Now we must continue to move forward as we continue in our quest for Premier League survival. Here’s to 2010 being another vintage year for Owen Coyle’s Clarets.

As early Chrismas presents go...

...that was a bloody good one. What another fantastic night of football at Turf Moor. Last nights one all draw with Arsenal was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter, one that's still got me smiling like that rather wet Geordie kid that won the X Factor.

For those gooners who dismissed Burnley before this game, next time you come to Turf Moor be prepared for another long ninety minutes. Owen Coyle's men did what the gaffer promised and went toe to toe with the Gunners for pretty much the whole ninety minutes in what was a superb display of counter attacking football.


We know how good Arsenal are and how well they move the ball so for the most part had to make sure that when we had our share of possession we kept the ball and made the most of it. Although things didn’t get off to the best of starts as within the first sixty seconds we almost gifted them a goal. Then minutes later, in between Arsenal almost putting the ball into their own net, we did just that, as Andre Bikey’s demand for too much time on the ball allowed Fabregas to easily dispossess him before the Spaniard neatly slotted the ball past Brain Jensen.

It was a hammer blow, a moment of utter deflation for the raucous Turf Moor crowd. But as ever Burnley showed the heart, desire and true bravery that has and will continue to get them back into many a game. Arsenal looked vulnerable at the back when under pressure, while for all their neat play around the box were lacking a true centre forward and in my opinion were wasting their creative gem Arshavin by deploying him as the lone man up front.

The visitors then could’ve had more; as Fabregas broke through and found the side netting before Arshavin saw an effort come back off the post. Then Burnley began to get it together again and just shy of the half hour mark Bikey showed his less casual side as he broke into the box only to be clattered by Vermaelen. Graham Alexander stepped up to take the penalty and as usual made no mistake by smashing the ball home to draw things level.

Fabregas’ hamstring couldn’t take much more and was withdrawn before the half ended, which finished with Vermaelen almost atoning for his error by forcing Jensen to tip over a thundering header. Despite these chances Burnley were very much in the match and were starting to compete with Arsenal in every department. In the second period, Burnley’s part grew as they began at times to completely dominate proceedings. Arsenal were left frustrated and rarely threatened the Beast’s goal despite their methodical build up play.

The Clarets pressed and almost took the lead as a mazy run and shot from the outstanding Chris Eagles came thundering back off the post. Minutes later a controversial moment saw the linesman’s offside flag raised as Steven Fletcher tapped home a Kevin McDonald cross. At the time most inside Turf Moor thought it was a goal and almost all probably still do having seen the replay from the comfort of their living room. I said before this game Burnley would have to ride their luck to gain a positive result, but in the second half the same can be said for Arsene Wenger’s men who were fortunate not to be trailing.

Before that Wenger had taken off the ineffective Theo Walcott who was never in the game thanks to a Stephen Jordan carried the glass produced England winger in his pocket during his time on the pitch. Even when Arshavin moved over to the right hand side the Burnley left back looked solid and assured.

As the game drew to a close, things became stretched and end to end but neither side could clinch a winner. Burnley had taken points off yet another one of the Premier League big boys at Turf Moor, that’s now three of the current top four that have failed to secure a single victory here. The likes of McDonald, Eagles, Jordan, Fletcher and Alexander were in truly inspiring form and looked like they’d been playing at this level for years.

After the game both managers were asked about our next opponents Wolves’ decision to make ten changes to the side that beat Tottenham against Manchester United. Wenger spoke about having to match Manchester United over 37 games and not 38 while Coyle rather diplomatically played down Mick McCarthy’s decision.

In my view McCarthy not only short changed the fans who travelled to Old Trafford but the players who fought so hard last season to pit themselves against English football’s elite clubs. Although it’s incredibly flattering to have a manager resting his entire team so they are fresh to face Burnley it’s a tactic I’m not a fan of. Here’s hoping to it backfiring dramatically come Sunday; and if it does I suspect there will be some grumblings not only from the vast majority of the Molyneux crowd; but also from inside the home dressing room as well.

Wolves may be holding up the white flag when it comes to the big four; but as Arsenal learnt last night that will never be the case for Owen Coyle’s Burnley. The only flag that mattered to us last night was the linesman’s wrong one which denied us the chance of another famous victory.

Coyle to grapple Wenger in Turf Moor carpark

Tonight's night really can't come quick enough for me as we welcome back Arsenal to the scene of their Carling Cup decline last season with the prospect of another tough night in the north ahead of them. The fact that Owen Coyle has demanded his players go "toe to toe" with the Londoners should make things particularly difficult for Arsene Wenger's men (we're not ruling out an ambush as they get off the team bus).

Night time Turf Moor triumphs over the likes of the Gunners and Manchester United, as well as the Tottenham semi final epic have set the bar as some of the most memorable evenings in our recent history. The darkness seems to descend a special atmosphere around Turf Moor that makes the hairs on the back of your neck instantly stand to attention.

I’ve had a feeling for a while now that this game could provide another similarly thrilling encounter where we run our big time opponents close, ride our luck and in the end secure a positive result. After four games without a win upsetting the form book with a surprise three points isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. That’s especially the case when you look at Arsenal’s injury problems. Arsene Wenger is already without Van Persie, Clichy, Gibbs and Eboue and also has doubts over Fabregas, Arshavin, Gallas, Walcott and Traore.

Prior to tomorrows game, one of our other Carling Cup Capital Punishment victims of last year Fulham escaped further retribution with a one all draw at the weekend. Back at the Turf after two defeats on the road we earned ourselves a hard fought point against Roy Hodgon’s men. The Cottages produced an extremely organised display and have definitely been put together tremendously well by the man with the game’s greatest accent. The spine of their team is pretty solid and is sprinkled with talented footballers all over the park.

Burnley’s best play in the first half came down the right hand side as Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears time and time again threatened with excellent link up play that kept Paul Konchesky on his toes. But other than that it was a fairly disjointed performance in the opening forty five minutes as we struggled to make an impact in midfield while our back four were kept busy by the lively Duff and Zamora.

The breakthrough came when we were punished for not reacting to a quick free kick and as the skipper Steven Caldwell misjudged the resulting ball the excellent Bobby Zamora was left through on goal to open the scoring.

Zamora may be criticised for his lack of goals but his hold up play was sensational as he time and time again brought his midfield into the game. If he can continue such form and start to put the ball in the net on a regular basis then he could definitely be challenging Carlton Cole to replace Emile Heskey as England’s target man option after next years World Cup.

With a second home defeat of the season staring us in the face, the crowd rallied as Burnley surged forward to try and make amends. After a fantastically whipped low cross from Stephen Jordan was only half cleared the ball dropped Wade Elliot who drew things level with a fabulous volley. Hopefully the strike will give Elliot a touch more confidence as he seems to have struggled to make an impact over the last couple of games he's played in central midfield.

Once we switched to 4-4-2 we looked more much comfortable, the introduction of the lively David Nugent always seems to help the side look more dangerous and provide us with the extra dimension we sometimes so desperately lack. Kevin McDonald also adds more balance and substance to the midfield, but never seems to be given his chance in our regular system of three central midfielders. Against Manchester City he was deployed on the left hand side and in his start against Pompey and the majority of his other subs appearances he’s played alongside Grezza in a reverted 4-4-2.

I would love to see both Nugent and McDonald included in the starting eleven tomorrow night; but whatever eleven is picked by Owen Coyle I’m sure that with another electric atmosphere inside Turf Moor we will raise our game and get at them from the first whistle. If we can keep things close who can bet against us pushing Arsenal all the way and making it another famous night on the pitch (and carpark) in the history of Burnley Football Club.

England: C is for Caution

While many in the press are getting about giddy England’s World Cup draw I can’t help feeling that perhaps the majority of us should be keeping our feet on the ground.

Hailing our Group C opponents as the “easiest” of all time is perhaps a little strong as while the USA, Algeria and Slovenia are hardly names from footballs illustrious past, they all represent that tired old cliché that “no games at this level are easy”.

Watching the first part of the draw on the BBC before leaving work to tune into the rest on the radio I must admit that the drawn out bore-fest made better listening than it did viewing.

The best bit of the pre draw entertainment was wondering which of Cape Town’s nightspots the likes of Lineker, Motson and Lawrenson were heading to afterwards, with all of them looking like a muggers dream in their chinos and tucked in shirts pressed to perfection.

Then came the star of the show; the draw’s host South African superstar Charlize Theron. Never before has such elegance been made out of wood; but the Monster actress managed it with her Eurovision Song Contest style presentation skills fused with Hollywood glamour. No wonder FIFA President Sepp Blatter was left slumped in his front row seat mopping his oversized brow.

After Theron had feigned interest and let some other FIFA dignitary warble on about how the draw works and what we should do if we wanted to take our own life if the draw got too much, the main event was ready to begin.

With no need for a ball by ball account of what happened next, we all now know England were handed the afore mentioned USA, Algeria and Slovenia while other group highlights included the Group of deaths such as Group G (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea) and our neighbouring Group D (Germany, Austrailia, Serbia and Ghana).

While there is no doubt that England should progress to the knockout stages, winning the group must be our priority and we will get off the toughest possible opponents on June 12th against the USA.

Our American cousins have shown in recent years that they should not be mocked as the “soccer” remedials who are more likely to catch a cross field ball than volley it. They have come a long way since the “miracle on grass” that embarrassed England in the 1950 World Cup Finals in Brazil. Almost sixty years later the American’s sit four places adrift in terms of FIFA rankings and looked extremely dangerous at last summers Confederations Cup in South Africa were they knocked out Spain in the semis before scaring Brazil in the final.

Uncle Sam’s squad boasts an impressive talent pool. AC Milan’s Oguchi Onyewu is strong in defence, the likes of Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard are well respected amongst Premier League opposition while Beck’s sparring partner at LA Galaxy Landon Donovan will be wanting to prove that he is a star worthy of the world’s biggest stage.

If there is a danger of underestimating the strength of the USA, then the same can be said of our next two opponents Algeria and Slovenia. The Algerians have four players based in England themselves and will not fear us, especially after going toe to toe with rivals Egypt in somewhat of a bloodbath to make the finals. The well organised Slovenians will also be tough to beat. This is their fourth trip to a major tournament despite only playing their first match as a country in 1992. Any side that can knock out Russia in the playoffs is more than capable of causing an upset on their day.

But while I will be quietly expecting us to win the group I don’t expect it to be as “E.A.S.Y” as today’s Sun’s front page would suggest. But all this excitement about is pointless as even in one of the stronger groups I would still be expecting England to progress. Our trouble will come in the last sixteen and beyond where we will see just how much we have improved under Fabio Capello.

If all the bigger sides progress the way the form book would suggest then the Italian could take us to the semi finals where Brazil are our likely opponents. A win there would perhaps see Spain in the final. So lets not get carried away, we are guaranteed to win nothing and will only be successful if we maintain the professional attitude and keep improving on the level of performance we have achieved so far under our new manager.

It may sound boring but for the first time where England are concerned I am not letting myself get carried away with thoughts of World Cup glory; instead I’m doing things the cautious Capello way.