Is the glass half full or half empty? On the one hand, the Clarets are five points clear of 7th place, and need only nine points from the remaining eight games to surpass last year's tally of 72 points. That is an achievement that we would have settled for at the start of the season. A return of twelve points in those last few games should safely see us in the play-offs, and the arrival of Gnohere, Blake and Grant has reduced the average age of our side. So surely we have to be delighted with the season and Stan is quite right to wonder what Burnley fans want and expect from what is, after all, a small town team?
The other side of the argument is that we were five points clear at the top of the table at Christmas, and since then we have only picked up fifteen points from thirteen games, the kind of return that would have seen the Clarets deep in relegation trouble had it been the start of the season. With a chance to crack on from there and see where it took us, we singularly failed to take advantage, and the home form in particular has shown some cause for concern.
Unfortunately for Stan most of the moaners only turn up to home games, and it has led to a number of edgy, anxious and even sub-standard performances as players have become too nervous and frightened of making mistakes.
Just as we were not as good as our position at Christmas led us to believe, the Clarets are not as bad as the recent run suggests. On our day we are capable of beating any of the teams that may get into the play-offs, so we have to make sure we pick up the twelve points required in double quick time and enter the play-offs on a good run of form, as this often crucial in deciding who gets to the final.
Back to Saturday, and a nervous group of London Clarets embarked on the 8.50 from Euston to Stockport. Well, it was Virgin trains after all. Sure enough, the driver ambled down to his cab at about 9.10 after being delayed on his inward journey. Not a good start, but fortunately Virgin have built so much pick up time into the schedule that we couldn't possibly be late getting to Stockport could we? After being delayed by a train in front having problems, going via Birmingham, and ironically halting unexpectedly at Bescot Stadium station (a feat that could not be achieved for love or money on Tuesday) the train failed to pick up any time at all. Three and a half hours for a trip to Stockport is ridiculous, and I have considered investigating how many years ago it is since trains took that long. I know that twenty years ago it was possible to get to Preston in just over two and a half hours, and I have reliably been informed that steam trains were quicker than the service provided today. Stephenson's Rocket anyone?
It was raining and windy when we finally arrived in Stockport. (Isn't it always?) Walking along to the first pub we wandered past an establishment called 'Brannigans' that advertises 'Cavorting'. I was tempted to go in just to see exactly what Saturday lunchtime cavorting was going on (dictionary definition - cavort - 'to prance, caper') but thought better of it, and instead enjoyed the hospitality of several excellent and rather more traditional style hostelries.
As team news filtered through Stan had made several changes from Tuesday. With the dependable West suspended, McGregor was to make his debut. Arthur was out altogether, as was Alan Moore, and Thomas was in, along with Cox and Grant. Armstrong also was not featuring, so four changes from the starting line up on Tuesday. Cook, Maylett, NTG, Blake and Payton occupied the bench. For whatever reasons Stan had shuffled his pack again, but would it produce the desired result?
On the basis of the first half, no! Although Marlon was largely untroubled in the Clarets goal, his opposite number Dibble was not really stretched, in a disappointing 45 minutes. When the Clarets did get into promising positions the final ball was often poor and our best threat appeared to be from set pieces.
Without West bombing down the touchline, and with Weller having another quiet game, the Clarets lacked inspiration, so nil-nil was definitely the right score at the half way stage. Both teams were trying to play football in difficult conditions, although Challinor tried a few long throws that had little effect.
Second half started as the first left off. We needed a bit of inspiration or a lucky break. We got the break, although you could say it was well earned. A cross from half way inside the Stockport half on the right-hand side was flicked on and Taylor ghosted in at the back post, but unfortunately the ball arrived at his feet. As he attempted to side foot the ball goalwards the fullback slid in to intercept and blocked the shot. With Dibble committed to the shot and the defender on the ground, the bit of luck was that the ball ended up back at Taylor's feet and he calmly controlled it and played it into the empty net. He seemed to take an absolute age, but it was in and we were in front.
After that we never really looked like losing the lead despite a couple of scares, one in particular where the ball looped over the Marlon's bar as he was left stranded in the goal. Ian Moore had a great turn and run through the centre of the defence, but then blazed over when he reached the edge of the box.
The game was effectively over when Stockport centre forward John Daly was sent-off for using an elbow on Thomas as they both leapt for the ball. It was definitely a foul, but I thought the sending off harsh, and we had a perfect view as the incident happened right in front of the away support, a fact which may have influenced the decision.
With fifteen minutes to go Maylett replaced McGregor, and as the game entered the last ten minutes the Clarets looked comfortable, but it is always nice to get that second goal and make sure. It duly arrived from the unexpected source of Ian Cox. Rejuvenated after his midweek rest he skipped past a Stockport player 25 yards from goal, and from just outside the area hammered a shot into the corner past Dibble's despairing dive to his right.
Cook replaced Grant and Davis worryingly limped off in the last couple of minutes to be replaced by Blake. Beckett hit the post for Stockport, but it didn't really matter, as it was job done.
Stockport are a poor side, and although we didn't play particularly well the Clarets certainly did enough to win. Carlton Palmer took a lot of stick from the travelling Clarets, but his enthusiasm couldn't be faulted, and he did his best to rally his team, but they lack quality and have no confidence at all. Whether Palmer makes a good manager will only be decided next season when he has a chance to regroup, but will he be given the time to do it? I doubt it somehow.
Also credit to the Stockport fans, as it can't be easy turning up each week knowing that relegation is inevitable. In fact, had other results gone against them, they could have been relegated on Saturday. I wonder how many would turn up at Turf Moor in the same situation? I know their fans hate us, but I think they deserve some credit for sticking with them.
Having said that, it was pathetic to see trouble outside the ground after the game, and I doubt that either set of fans could remain blameless for that.
The trip back looked like being a nightmare as the lines were down between Milton Keynes and Rugby and we were advised to go via Sheffield. Despite also having to change trains at Leicester due to a problem with the train we still arrived in London before the direct service from Virgin was originally scheduled to arrive! Of course, that is all Railtrack's fault so please don't try to blame Mr Branson and Virgin. Thank goodness I'm driving next weekend.
Scorers: Taylor (51), Cox (83).
Attendance: 6,410.
Referee: P Walton.
Cozzo's Man of the Match: Ian Cox.
Stock taking