Trains, beer, etc
I went by car and had one and a bit pints in the excellent Ferry Boat Inn, nice and
handy for the ground with a garden backing on to the River Wensum for the nature lovers
like myself. A nice moment before the game when a group of people approached me outside
the ticket office and gave me a free ticket. I was a bit too surprised to thank them
properly, so if it's one of you, ta very much. More evidence that Clarets fans are the
salt of the earth.
View from the back row
A very disappointing result for a number of reasons on Saturday, the main ones being
the failure to seriously test last season's dodgy keeper Green enough in the Norwich goal,
the abysmal Mr Alcock, a number of injuries, and a fairly numerous but passive Clarets
following. Nonetheless a cracking game, between two in-form sides with contrasting
approaches played in front of a healthy number of Clarets, creating virtually a full house
and a good atmosphere.
How wide do you want the goals?
Apart from the Burnley goal, thanks to some very tight defending, competitive midfield
play and a superb performance from Norwich's line leader Iwan Roberts, the Clarets' goal
scoring opportunities were limited. The early Norwich goal created the pressure which
forced the Clarets into launching wasteful attempts from long range instead of working the
ball in to the box, and consequently snatching at what few opportunities did fall their
way in the penalty area. However, credit were it's due, the City rearguard rarely
panicked, and in the majority of cases they were first to any knock downs or quickly
closed down the space, with the exception of Burnley's goal, where Armstrong showed
terrific anticipation to be moving on to the ball with the Budgies defence completely
static. The Clarets worst miss was Little's in the second half when the ball arrived to
him on the back post after a well worked Clarets move. However, Glen blazed his effort
into the side netting, after missing what looked to be another presentable chance in the
first half.
Ellis also missed a decent chance, and after single-handedly carving out an opening for
himself, Payton blasted into the side netting. Taylor was the only Burnley forward to
force Green into a save with a good downward header, which he pushed wide for a corner,
although apparently he also had an effort scrambled off the line in the first half, but
sat in our £18 seats, a combination of posts and poor sight lines prevented us seeing
this clearly.
Otherwise, despite Norwich allowing the Clarets the virtual freedom of the park for the
last 10 minutes and defending deep into their penalty box, the Clarets failed to muster
sufficient clear cut chances. Nevertheless, the Clarets had their opportunities, but
failed to take them.
You're not fit to referee
OK, now I am a Paulo Di Canio convert. The only problem I have with Paulo is that he
didn't go the whole hog and lay out Mr Alcock sufficiently for him to consider packing up
refereeing, which clearly isn't his chosen vocation. He was demoted from the Premiership
list, presumably for producing performances like the one on Saturday. If his middle name
isn't Homer, then it should be, as Mr Alcock took every opportunity available to favour
the home team, starting with a foul on Little inside the box, which he gave outside. It
looked bloody close even from our perch in the budgie's cage, but not wishing to upset the
home fans he gave the Budgies the benefit of the doubt, not for the first time, in a
crucial incident. R5 later confirmed that TV evidence showed that it was inside. However,
note also the absence of a yellow card for which Davis was booked for a similar incident
in the second half.
Mr Alcock also chose to ignore the barge by Roberts into NTG which flattened him for
the second Norwich goal, although NTG has to start learning to get his retaliation in
first against the likes of Iwan Roberts. I suspect that this is the main reason Big Stevie
vents his ire against the philosophical Greek goalie more than any other: he is a bit of a
wimp, which makes him the odd man out in the current Burnley side. Add in the Briscoe
booking farce, the acrobatic display which led to Big Stevie's booking, and consequently
Ian Moore's yellow for trapping off, and the Iwan Roberts appreciation society, which led
to countless free kicks given against Davis for Roberts backing on, the most farcical
being when Roberts bent down, rolled into a ball and Steve went over the top of him. I
note now that Pro Refs are advised not to have sex before a game, but in Alcock's case
it's a pity somebody didn't stop his mum and dad having sex at any stage in their lives if
the result is the likes of Mr Alcock. If he is reading this I offer my services as a
Careers Adviser FOC, to try and sort his problem out, which I perceive to be his misguided
perception that he can be a top class ref. Being based in Kent we're never going to get
him for a home fixture, worst luck.
Invalid parade
I was disappointed that there was no room for Weller from the start, given his
excellent performance at this venue last year, but sadly Paul has been plagued with
niggley injuries since the season began. His mobility was badly missed and the Weller,
West, Little triangle which stuffed the Canaries last year didn't get going at all, as
Paul replaced the injured Alan Moore at half time with Glen moving across instead of Paul
Cook. Glen himself also got injured in that vital last ten minutes and NTG looked to have
an ailment which prevented him taking goal kicks, this task being performed throughout by
Big Stevie. NTG looked timorous and uncertain throughout, and not even in command of his
six yard box, never mind the rest of his paddock. All three injuries looked to be pulls or
strains and potentially quite serious. Allegedly Ian Moore was also injured, but I am not
so sure about this. I thought Stan brought him off as he hadn't done much.
Mute supporters
OK, we had a big crowd and they got excited when we were threatening the Norwich goal,
but during the intervening moments there was little singing or support and the crowd were
largely responding to events on the pitch. We seem to have forgotten our repertoire, which
is now very limited. No "Take My Hand", "For Ever and Ever", " No
One Likes Us" or even a "No Nay Never" on Saturday. It seems we only sing,
as opposed to chanting, when we're winning.
Onward and upward
No disgrace to lose to a combative and plainly much more resilient Norwich side.
Indeed, I actually thought they played less football than they did last season, but are
now much more effective. Worthington seems to have Ternentised his side, and hence they
are unbeaten at home. Now City embark on a sequence of five games, with four away from
home. They'll do well as they are very strong at the back, but up front, Roberts apart,
they looked lightweight and didn't create a lot of chances until the end when the Clarets
had thrown caution to the wind. Their problems may come if injuries or suspensions disrupt
their defence. They must be praying for Mr Alcock to referee every home game to avoid the
latter.
The Clarets fought hard and played some good football in spells, despite Norwich's
efforts to shut them down. Against some of the lesser teams in the Division, this
performance might have produced a result, however on the day, the above elements conspired
against BFC and in the final analysis only two inches of cross bar separated the two teams
and prevented the Clarets from getting a result. What we need is to stop this one defeat
becoming a run by beating Crewe, and then going to the Hawthorns and getting a result.
