A disappointing crowd of 13,717 turned up for
our Tuesday night game against already relegated Tranmere (no loss to Division One there).
Only the home game against Crewe has attracted a lower league gate this season. Surprising
really, when we still have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.
When I took my seat in the Bob Lord stand seconds before kick-off the team
line up showed no Gareth Taylor whilst John Mullin was playing up front. What's happened?
Well apparently, despite the local press confirming what we all thought was a formality,
City would not allow him to sign on loan. They wanted a fee if we reached the play-offs,
and a further fee if we got promoted. Fair enough, said Stan, but they also wanted an
"exorbitant" transfer fee. Well we don't know what that fee was, and you must
admire Stan's principles, BUT on the other hand we could be kicking ourselves if we don't
win. I've said it before - "let's trust Stan".
So the team lined up 4-4-2, with the same starting line up as against
Boring Boring Birmingham, except Mullin for Taylor. I was worried that we would find it
hard to score; well we have all season, haven't we? There were those amongst us who were
glad to see the back of Taylor, and I must admit I haven't been totally convinced, but the
facts speak for themselves. Before Taylor signed on loan we had 42 points and were in 10th
place. We had lost four consecutive games and the scaremongers were predicting relegation.
Since then only three defeats in 13 games, and Ian Moore looking like a decent player. We
are going to sign him in the Summer but we need another forward as well.
So the game starts with the rain pelting down, and the crowd quiet.
Tranmere brought about 200 supporters, which means only 1,500 paid to get in. No wonder
Stan doesn't want to give Man City any money, we probably lost a lot on Tuesday.
It looked as though we meant business from the off. Little charged down
the right wing, laid the ball back for Dean West, and we all felt it was his first Clarets
goal. Unfortunately his 25 yarder hit the side netting.
Tranmere had nothing to lose. They played with three men up front, in
Parkinson, Barlow, and Rideout. They threw caution to the wind and had a few chances. Nik
the Greek saved well from Koumas, and Barlow should have done better, but his nickname at
Everton was Jigsaw, because he went to pieces in the box.
So often this season Glen Little has been our inspiration. On the quarter
hour mark he again left his marker and fired in a low cross to the near post for Moore to
hit the side netting. However, it was the opposition who took the lead on 20 minutes when
Koumas' corner was hit home by Yates from 15 yards. It was a bad goal to concede because
it certainly looked like at least one of the three Burnley players (two of whom were on
the line) could have stopped it.
We've become accustomed to going behind but then winning over the past two
seasons. Stan's teams are resilient and never say die. You'll get 100% commitment and
determination - we don't know when the cause is lost, do we? Of course, our memory is
short. It was only April Fools Day when we appeared to have exactly the opposite
qualities. Or maybe we can't bring ourselves to admit how good the opposition looked that
day.
Anyway, the Clarets were level within two minutes when Moore, who got a
hostile reception from his former employers, rounded Tranmere Keeper Murphy and shot goal
bound. Steve Yates turned hero to villain, turning the ball into his own net. A definite
own goal - don't believe what you may read elsewhere.
Tranmere made their first substitution just before half time, Sean Flynn
being replaced by Fruit XI player, oh and I nearly forgot, ex-Claret, Micky Mellon. He was
given a good reception. I'm glad, as we all know what happens when we boo players. Anyway,
no problem here. It was the same Micky Mellon, just a different coloured shirt. He even
had two shots in the second half, which went high into the Tranmere fans.
The Golden Gamble half time draw was conducted by David Eyres. Obviously
he received a rapturous reception, rightly so.
We went for the jugular in the second half. Paul Cook came on for the
rejuvenated Dean West, and Mitchell moved to right back. On the hour mark Paul Weller went
off with a tweaked hamstring and was replaced by Brad Maylett. The second goal came just
before the substitution, when Glen weaved his magic in the box before pulling the ball
back for Mullin to score his second of the season.
We could have had more. Payton came on and looked hungry. He made two
chances for himself but couldn't find the target on either occasion. Then in typical
Burnley style we ended up hanging on, and Niko had to make his obligatory top drawer save.
The referee, Mr P Taylor from Cheshunt, was shocking. He booked Davis,
Moore, Thomas and Weller, plus three Tranmere players. In addition, Jason Koumas was sent
off. It wasn't a dirty game!
Well, we're still on course to gate crash the play off party, much to the
chagrin of the football media. We were supposed to follow their predictions and go
straight back down. Wimbledon were supposed to be the outsiders who got into the
play-offs. Well, they might. We might run out of games. If there were four instead of two
I'd fancy us. All we can do is keep going flat out, and in the words of Stan "see
where it takes us".
Whatever happens, in every game we're surpassing our highest expectations.
The season has been fantastic.
Don't
stop