Blacklaw & co’s champion’s spirit required to beat the drop

It felt like the day the dare to dreamers really stopped believing. Burnley’s 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend saw many disappointed faces leaving Turf Moor struggling to stay positive about the rest of our Premier League campaign.

Sadly it was another story of the season game with missed chances at important stages then seeing us punished for them at the other end. What was different about this one though was that it was at Turf Moor, where on only two other occasions we have been beaten this season.


While at times we looked disjointed and far too laid back it was still a game we could’ve won. After going one nil down we fought back to be level at half time thanks to a fantastic looping finish from Martin Paterson, his second Premier League goal in two games.

The stage was set for us to go and win it in the second half but like so many other times this season we failed to convert golden chances when we were on top. Steven Fletcher’s missed header from five yards out was a particular turning point. We all know that the longer we go without finishing teams off the more chance there is of those all too familiar individual errors coming back to haunt us.

And they did, this time from current skipper and recent Countdown champion Clark Carlisle. I’ve resisted using one of the many terrible puns I’ve heard about Clark and the letters and numbers T.V show since the weekend, however I must admit when speaking to a friend on the phone on Saturday night his opening line of “I’ve got a four letter word for Carlisle” did lighten my mood.

Normally quite a consistent figure in the Burnley back line the clarets number five made two shocking errors of judgement in giving away two penalties, the first a needless schoolboy foul when there was little danger and the second, a horrendous moment after he failed to realise how many Pompey players were around him when in possession.

While Brian Jensen saved the first, you can’t expect to give two penalties away in a game and not be punished. Despite a late flurry, we let most of the game following that second spot kick peter out as we struggled to carve open the Pompey defence.

There is no getting away from the fact that it was a poor overall performance. For the majority of the game we let Portsmouth and in particular the impressive Jamie O’Hara run the show. While he popped up all over the pitch our midfield pairing looked lethargic in comparison.

In my view it was a mistake not sticking with three central midfielders. As soon as I saw Bikey and McDonald were going to be deployed there I was worried, especially as we have struggled to win the battle in the midfield with an extra body in there this season.

I do sympathise with Brian Laws though because to change one area of our side you have to dilute another and while Paterson had a very good game up front his introduction into the line-up definitely weakened the team in an area where we can’t afford it to get any weaker.

For me it would’ve been much more beneficial to keep Cork in the side and deploy Pato or Eagles from an attacking role on the right. We missed the young Chelsea loanee’s mobility to get up and down and his ability to keep hold of the ball. His presence could’ve also helped to keep O’Hara quiet and give him more to think about defensively.

With so much quality in this division many games are won and lost in the central midfield area and that is where we now need to tighten to help take the pressure off the back four. To a certain extent the gaffer’s hands are tied until Alexander and then McCann return to the squad. Looking at Saturday’s performance we are crying out for Grezza’s leadership and composure and McCann’s drive from midfield.

The other worrying thing for me about Saturday was the crowd. Normally in good voice and behind the team from the start we struggled to get going. The concern from my point of view is that without the twelfth man factor we won’t be able to keep Turf Moor such an intimidating place to visit. Away teams will come in the knowledge that if they can get off to a good start the nervous energy from the crowd will further stunt the player’s ability to perform.

It feels to me like people have stopped buying into the adventure that was created by last season’s run in and cup magic. The spark that was carried into this season was built on daring to dream. And we had, for most of this season Turf Moor has been a noisy and uncomfortable place for visiting teams to play their football. Sadly, I didn’t feel that on Saturday.

As we move into March the realisation for me is that we may only have two months of Premier League football left. At the start of the season the majority made the commitment that whatever happened we’d enjoy the ride; we all hoped it wasn’t going to just be a once a lifetime thing but deep inside we knew it probably was.

So no matter what people think about the way we’ve been playing or the new manager or whatever else they are being negative about they should save it for the pub, Claretsmad or just bother the missus with it when corries on. But for every ninety minutes at Turf Moor we need to be loud, proud and keep on fighting to inspire the team.

More importantly the players must also step up to the plate. As the club mourns the death of legendary goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw they must now show the same commitment, passion and determination to succeed as the Scot and the rest of the 59/60 championship winning squad. Having heard the stories about Adam from his peers and various fans over the last twenty four hours it’s clear to see how good a player he was, the impact he had and how much he will be missed.

It’s heartbreaking to see that with only two months until the whole of that 59/60 team will be honoured as part of the fiftieth anniversary of our glorious triumph that another member of the squad won’t be able to be there to witness it. However I’m sure that Adam and all his fellow team-mates and staff who have sadly passed away will be just as much in our hearts on this wonderful occasion.

Survival this season would be a fitting tribute to those Championship winning players of fifty years ago. With eleven games now left it is still possible. There are thirty three points to play for and still a long way to go. But for that to happen there is no doubt that performances must get better and the spine of the team must get stronger.

I’m still buying into what at the moment feels like the almost impossible dream and won’t give up until survival becomes unachievable. I hope all fellow Clarets will join me and help inspire the team to beat the drop for Adam Blacklaw and the rest of the our historic first division winning squad.