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Reasons To Be Miserable (Part Ten)
At the start of the season I felt that we would finish in the top ten, but that matching or bettering last year's position might be a bit difficult. Well, I was right on the first score, and wrong on the second.
So I'm happy, right? If you told me on the way back from Scunthorpe two years ago that we would finish seventh in the next two seasons, that we'd never be out of the top ten in that time, and we'd lead the division at Christmas by five points in the second season, I'd have not only accepted that, but I'd have been more than pleased by a lot less. So I'm happy, right? Well, sort of. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't swap places with Stockport, Crewe or Barnsley (Premiership five seasons ago), all relegated. I wouldn't have a great deal of optimism if I followed Sheff Wed, Forest, or Coventry, all millions in debt. But right now I'd trade places with Norwich, because that should have been us. I fancied a crack at Wolves. I thought that was our best chance to get to the Final.
Still, there was nothing we could do, and against Coventry the team did all they could do. Stan said it - it should never have come to that, having to win the last game and hope that someone else slipped up. When the fans booed back in January after the abject home display against Sheff Wed he asked us what we wanted, and he told us we would get in the play-offs. That's what we wanted, and well, Stan's not always right after all.
First half of the season was Championship form, second half relegation form. If it had been the other way round we'd have been confident of going up next season. As it is I'll settle for seventh now! The strong finish in the last 11 games that we have become accustomed to never materialised: 20 points last season, 15 this time. We made the same position as last season, with three more points. West Brom finished sixth last year with 74. 75 has always been enough to secure a play-off spot, and it was this year too. We scored a lot more goals, but conceded far more this season. We won the same number of games, but lost three fewer. Were we slightly better, or just the same? Or slightly worse if you count the number of new players, and money spent? Ultimately, when you analyse it, Glen Little on top form is the difference between challenging for promotion or flirting with relegation.
At least the Board tried. On transfer deadline day in 2001 Barry Kilby said we'd keep our powder dry until next season, and Stan let Micky Mellon go on a free to Tranmere. This time Gazza and David Johnson came in.
But the damage was done at Grimsby, Sheff Utd, Walsall, and at home between December 22 and March 17th. Now it's officially Summer.
Stan's Signings - have they been any good?
Mark McGregor
Player of the season for the last two years at Wrexham. My Wrexham mate told me he was good. He could play at right back, centre of defence, or in midfield. He got stuck in and liked to get forward and shoot. We all saw his 25 yarder for Wrexham on the last game of the season two years ago to help beat Gillingham whilst we won at Scunthorpe. He's only started two games, and both at right back. Fred West's great form has kept him out, but I'm surprised he's had so few opportunities considering his credentials. I've seen him playing for the reserves, and he looks OK. He's done something that Fred has yet to do - score!
6/10
Gareth Taylor
We knew what we were getting with Taylor, and he didn't cost a transfer fee. Great in the air, not so good on the ground. Still, when we needed a penalty taker, he stood up to be counted. Ian Moore said he didn't like taking penalties, strange for a striker you might think, but there are a considerable number of Burnley fans who blame Gareth Taylor for not getting promotion. How sweet it was when he scored within two minutes of coming on against Coventry. Perhaps if he had played from the start? Oh, and by the way, Lee Hughes scored two less than Taylor for Coventry, and cost £5,000,001.
8/10
Dimitrios Papadopoulos
Half a million unwisely invested in my view. Has scored some good goals for the reserves, but so did Anthony Shandran. I don't think he's good enough. He didn't seem to know what to do when one on one with the Canvey Island keeper in the Cup. Still, he seems to have forgotten how to dive. Now seems to have disappeared - hopefully.
3/10
Arthur Gnohere
Signing of the season. From the moment he touched the ball in that pre-season friendly back in July against Everton you knew he was good. Stan has now got him signed up on a long contract, and he will be fitter and stronger next season. Scored the goal of the season at Preston, but did tire in some games towards the end of the season.
9/10
Alan Moore
A good signing for me. Clearly has loads of skill, but his critics claim he is lightweight, and injury prone. Can be a bit petulant, and gets more than his fair share of bookings. Has the brain of a Premiership player, shown when setting up Johnson for his goal against Preston, and chipped in with five goals himself. Remember Branchy played this position last season!
7/10
Tony Ellis
I think we all questioned this one, and when he came on as a sub at Bradford the fans booed. Scored a great goal that day, but missed a similar one in the 90th minute at Norwich, the importance of it only now apparent. Worked hard for the reserves, and helped the younger players. Looked fit, but didn't really improve the team.
4/10
Tony Grant
Poor signing. Is he really any better than John Mullin, or Micky Mellon? Needs three touches on the ball. His shooting shows why he's only scored three career goals. He played well when the team did, but the team didn't play well because of him.
3/10
Mark Rasmussen
Too small. Don't expect him to make it. Good reserve team player.
5/10
Luigi Cennamo
When he got his chance he wasn't up to it. Big keeper, who looked like he might make it, but now Stan has let him go.
3/10
Robbie Blake
Oh dear. Stan told us that we'd enjoy watching him play. Well, I haven't so far. What sort of stomach strain allows you to play? We took a long time to sign him. As Kilby quite rightly said, £1 million is a lot of money to us. Does he need an operation, or a diet? Started one game, spent a lot of time on the bench, and then disappeared completely, expect for the final reserve game at Lancaster. Looks like he's got a lot of hard work to do this summer.
0/10
Marlon Beresford
Looked twice the player we sold to Middlesbrough. Confidence is clearly a big part of his game. Still knows how to save a penalty, and will be out of contract this summer. I'm sure Stan would love to sign him.
8/10
David Johnson
Another player who we would all like to see playing for us next season. Wages, lack of ITV Digital money and Robbie Blake may mean that we can't afford him, but he is without a doubt a top quality player. I remember three seasons ago seeing Ipswich play Bolton in the play-offs, and thinking Burnley were made up of ex Bury players, but this was one that we would never sign. Another example of how far we've come.
9/10
Paul Gascoigne
A gamble worth taking, but which didn't come off. One good game, and several free kicks was ultimately not enough.
2/10
Becko
April 2002
As with all articles on the site, the
views expressed in the comments section are those of the individual contributor, and do
not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club.
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