From Bad to Worse
Burnley 2 Watford 3
Report by Patrick O'Neill
How many times this season have we sat and watched Burnley turn a win into a draw, or a draw into a defeat? Too many. Today's performance was so inept that I can hardly bear to re-live it. We scored the first goal, but somehow contrived to lose the game. The same old story.
It was all the more galling after Saturday's unexpected win at Walsall. We had a golden opportunity today to get to fifty points, and we failed to take it.
Before there were any goals at all we had problems. Both Weller and Wood had to be taken off injured inside twenty minutes. I wonder if they were fit to start the game? Weller at least didn't look to be. Two subs wasted, and most of the game still to go. It didn't look promising.
Watford seemed up for it, but we went ahead after half an hour via Mark McGregor, who has been one of the few bright spots this season. It was a good header for his first goal of the season.
Unfortunately we didn't capitalise on the lead, and less than ten minutes later it was 1-1 when Branch was deemed to have fouled Paul Devlin in the area. At the time I thought it was a bit harsh, because although he did lunge in a bit he also seemed to get the ball. But when your luck's out, it's out. Devlin recovered sufficiently to slot home the penalty.
After that it stayed 1-1 until half time. If I'd known what was going to happen in the second half I'd have gratefully settled for a point.
The first action was Ternent making our third and final substitution, less than ten minutes into the second half. Luke Chadwick (who had replaced Neil Wood earlier) was taken off and the on-loan Dele Adebola came on in his place. Presumably it was tactical, and Stan must have thought we could push on and win it.
Unfortunately that wasn't the case, and the next goal went to the Hornets, or the Golden Boys, or whatever they are calling themselves this season. It was a poor goal to give away, too. Heidar Helguson was able to get round both our so-called central defenders easily - too easily - and Jensen couldn't do anything about the shot. 1-2.
There was still plenty of time to go, and I hoped we'd be able to pull a goal back. We were pushing forward so much though that we left gaps at the back. Watford capitalised on this in the 84th minute when their highly-rated midfielder Lee Cook scored. Let's be fair, though: a donkey could score past our defence, and indeed many have.
I have to confess that I left in disgust at this point, so I didn't see Adebola's goal (or his apparent near miss which could have meant a 3-3 draw).
I don't enjoy walking out on games, but this season (and last season) have seen so many of these inept, spineless performances, and it's very frustrating. Something has to change. The players are playing with no passion, some of the tactics are bizarre, and meanwhile the supporters - who travel miles every season and funnel their hard-earned cash in the Club's direction - seem to be the ones suffering.
So I did the only thing you can do in those situations when faced with a long journey home: got thoroughly drunk, which was much more pleasant than remaining sober and endlessly re-living the game. Unfortunately getting drunk did have a downside, as I lost my (and Pauline's) rather expensive digital camera somewhere on the way back. My explanation that Stan had made me do it - by making me so angry I was unaware of what I was doing - didn't cut any ice, rather surprisingly. So I'm in the doghouse at home, and Burnley are staring relegation in the face. Things can only get better. Can't they?
Burnley: Jensen, Roche, Branch, McGregor, Camara, Little, Wood (Chadwick, 20 (Adebola, 54)), Grant, Weller (Johnrose, 16), Blake, Ian Moore.
Subs not used: Alan Moore, Abbey.
Scorers: (Burnley) McGregor 30, Adebola 86 / (Watford) Devlin 39 (pen), Helguson 55, Cook 84.
Referee: the singularly incompetent Watford supporter, Mr Carl Boyeson.
Attendance: 11,413.
Patrick's Man of the Match: you're joking, right?
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the match reports section are those of the individual contributor, and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters' Club.
