Well, we’re back. Rather like the club so dear in all our hearts, the
magazine faces the new season sending out pretty much the same team to do pretty much the
same things. Which means, as is customary at this time of year, we apologise for the
lateness of this magazine, and for the fact that what we meant to be an August issue
turned out to be a September one. Five more should follow approximately every two months
between now and next summer.
By the time we pass on the baton – and we mean it
this year – we’ll know if we’re playing a second season in the first
division for the first time since the 70s. At the time of writing, 42 games before the
final table, I think there are grounds for cautious optimism. It’s so far, so
(mostly) good. In none of the four league matches to date have we been overwhelmed. We
look like we belong here. This may not sound like a particularly big deal, but I tend to
compare it to my only other experience of football at this level, under Jimmy Mullen six
years ago, and then, even at an early stage, the writing was on the wall and we were
getting used to being outclassed.
There are many positives. The first is that, in
Ternent, we have a shrewd operator in his element amidst the cut and thrust of survival
football. Refusing to get complacent when it goes our way and never prone to gloom when
things turn against us, Stan has the manner required to last this particular race. We
might have wanted him to spend more in the summer, but these days free transfers
don’t carry the stigma of old, and anyway, they’re less free than they used to
be, because in the post Bosman era what you save on fees you spend on wages. In any case,
we know Ternent will bring more players in if need be, and we know that the club are
prepared for this to cost if that is what survival takes.
Secondly, several of the players look like making the
step up with ease. The back three of Cox, Davis and Thomas can play in this division. At
time of writing, we’ve yet to really see Payton, but I believe he can score goals
anywhere. Some, such as Little and Weller, look like they’ve been waiting to play at
this level all their lives. Little seems, if anything, better, and Weller is finally
giving us reason to remember why so many of us rated him. The new signings have settled in
without damaging the team spirit that proved so valuable last season. I particularly like
the look of Briscoe.
Thirdly, off the pitch, the club has shown that they
will not rest on their laurels. Frank Teasdale has left the board – and whatever you
might think of him, I don’t feel he had any further contribution to make – and
Chris Duckworth, offering the intriguing combination of lifelong Clarets support, wealth
and internet/new media experience, has filled his seat. Encouragingly, he was sought out
and talked into it by Barry Kilby. We aren’t just hanging around hoping for more
people to put money in. As well as this, the club has announced ambitious plans to buy the
cricket ground and redevelop it and the Cricket Field Stand. Our target this season may
well be survival, but we’re thinking further than that. Everything’s not
perfect, but they’ve even started up the supporters clubs meetings again.
So there are many grounds for optimism, and if we
can’t be optimistic in the season’s first editorial, when can we be? But I have
one major worry, and that is our lack of firepower. Last season, only Andy Payton scored
enough goals. As we went up, it might be unfair to carp, but there is some cause for
concern that this may happen again. Even in pre-season there was a feeling that, while the
defence is sound, the midfield useful (although we need some pace from somewhere) and the
wide play a match for anyone’s, we don’t make enough goal chances or score
enough goals. If Payton doesn’t score, who will? Of the other strikers, Cooke is
unproven and may not make the step up, Gray strikes me as a second striker to play
alongside the main goalscorer, Lee and Shandran aren’t ready, Jepson’s not more
than an emergency option and anyone else who might play there – Branch, Little,
Mullin – is a non-striker played out of position. In four league games, which Payton
hasn’t started, we’ve scored three goals, and one of those was an own goal. I
believe we will need to find another finisher this season, and also be more attack-minded
in midfield, if we are to make survival a comfortable affair. I can understand Stan
starting cautiously, because experience has shown him that this is the approach which will
bring survival, but surely if we’re not being outclassed by anyone the difference is
going to be in whether we can make and take chances.
Of course, as well as the manager, players and others
at the club, one other group of people are going to do their bit in making Burnley a first
division side this time next year: us. We’re never all going to agree, and there are
going to be times when we think Ternent wrong, but the last two seasons should have taught
us not to judge prematurely and keep faith. Let us look back next summer knowing that we
did all we could to break the cycle by giving Burnley all the support we can at games.
Finally, reluctant though we are to blow our own
trumpets, I don’t suppose anyone else will mention it. The London Clarets magazine
was voted runner up in APFSCIL’s club newsletter award, being judged the best in the
second division and a highly commended silver overall. As I understand the winners, BR
Middlesbrough, have a very glossy and professional-looking publication produced by many,
this is one more instance where, as with the team we all support, we were happy enough to
come second last season.
