3/2
Another poor performance resulted in a second successive home defeat, this time by 2-0. West Brom beat us on all counts. Having seized control of the game in the first 15 minutes, they never relaxed their hold. They stifled our midfielders, with Chambers, Clement and McInnes giving Grant, in particular, no time or room in which to operate. Again, our strikers were starved of service and 'Bruno' Moore, Sigurdsson, Gilchrist and co nullified their small threat with hardly a flicker of discomfort. Although the second half introductions of Little, Weller and Robbie Blake enabled Burnley to gain greater possession, we continued to lack any cutting edge. On the other hand, West Brom had the power and pace of Jason Roberts up front. In the 36th and 41st minutes, he used these assets to devastating effect, when latching onto two superb through balls. And that was very much that. Burnley managed just three efforts on goal. Cook's early free kick was saved well by Hoult, who also did well to deny Ian Moore and Grant. But, having said that, Dichio and Chambers really should have added to our woes.
We're now 7th, and despite games in hand, our promotion challenge is collapsing alarmingly. However, a defiant Ternent said, "I'm sure we will be up there come April. We are in a sticky patch at the moment. In the first half today we didn't pass it very well, in the second half we improved, but had no penetration. We could have scored a couple of goals, but we have a lot of players coming back from injury at the moment, so we need the matches. Robbie has been injured so he needs to play, as does Glen, who was not 100 per cent, so I decided to give him a half tonight." Alan Moore was forced off in the second half, to be replaced by Paul Weller, and Ternent revealed the extent of Moore's injury. "Alan Moore had a tight hamstring, so we'll have to see how it is." There are fears that Moore is set for another lengthy lay off. Burnley: Beresford, West, Cox, Gnohere, Briscoe, Ball, Cook (Little 46), Grant, A Moore (Weller 56), I Moore (Blake 68), Taylor. Subs not used: Armstrong, Johnrose. Attendance: 15,846. Our match report.
6/2 "Come friendly bombs, fall on our slough of despond." At Watford tonight our call was answered. And what a fine place for a spot of carpet-bombing, too. A bit of environmental cleansing wouldn't go amiss in this town cluttered with discordant pots and kettles. Mind you, it didn't look so promising after 23 minutes, when England Under-21 international Jermaine Pennant skinned Branch before firing past Beresford. Although Burnley had the greater possession up until the interval, they carved out only two good chances. Unfortunately, Arthur Gnohere just failed to head in Briscoe's free kick and a little later Ian Moore curled his right foot shot narrowly wide of Chamberlain's left-hand post. Although we had started positively, Watford were lifted by Pennant's goal, and thereafter appeared to have more sting. With Cook and Pennant marauding dangerously on their flanks, they were consistently dangerous on the break. Gayle and Noel-Williams (twice) should have added to the Hornets' lead. Stan replaced Branch with Robbie Blake after half an hour. We needed greater penetration and Pennant was beginning to trouble Branch. However, it wasn't until the second half that Blake made his presence really felt. God knows what Stan did at half time but it worked! After the break, Burnley were a transformed side. They poured forward. Watford were hard pressed to keep them out. Blake's brilliant turn, from Moore's pass, almost provided the equaliser but he could only shoot tamely and directly at Chamberlain. Then, in the 68th minute and very much against the run of play, the Hornets were awarded a penalty. Cox's tussle with Noel-Williams looked to be decidedly 50-50. It seemed a harsh decision. No problem, though. We have Marlon back. His kicking might be crap but as a penalty stopper he has no equal. (He's saved 60% of penalties as Burnley's keeper.) Right on cue, Marlon brilliantly saved Gayle's spot-kick, diving low to his left. Five minutes later we were level. After Ramon Vega dragged down Little outside the area, Briscoe struck a superb free kick, which was touched onto the post by Chamberlain, only for Cox to make amends and smash home the rebound. With play now flowing from end-to-end, chances were occurring for both sides. Watford sub Stephen Glass had a good opportunity. Thankfully, he mis-hit a shot from close range after another good run by Pennant. At the other end, Little latched onto Blake's pass and burst through the middle, slicing the Watford rearguard in two. But having made his way into the box, he dragged his left foot shot just wide of the post. Then as the game entered extra time, Marcus Gayle put the seal on his wretched evening by heading wide from Glass's perfect corner kick. It was time for the final twist. With only seconds to go Brad Maylett went on a run down the right before crossing into the box. His centre took a deflection off a Watford defender before finding its way to Weller, who nodded home from only inches out. Brilliant! We're back in the play off zone, up to fifth with games in hand.
Stan concluded, "I thought we played extremely well in the second half because I felt in the first half we weren't at it. That is understandable with the run we have been on but we had a few words at half time and they did themselves and the club proud after that." With regard to Robbie Blake's substitution, Stan explained, "Robbie is just tired and his stomach is about ready now, but he hasn't played for a while and the tempo of the game was quite high, but he'll be fine." Burnley: The Penalty King, West, Ball, Gnohere, Branch (Blake 31) (Maylett 86), Little, Grant, Weller, Briscoe, I Moore, Taylor (Cox 61). Subs not used: Armstrong and Cook. Attendance: 12,160. Our match report.
9/2 Barnsley were unbeaten in their last 11 league games, such has been their resurgence under ex 'Dale boss Steve Parkin. They began the brighter of the two sides at a blustery Oakwell and were almost in front after just three minutes, but Mike Sheron's header was ruled out for offside. However, only two minutes later Barnard's curling 25-yard free kick went in off the post, leaving Beresford helpless. This wake up call was well heeded, and with Little and Weller prominent, Burnley proceeded to pressurise the home goal. Kevin Ball fired narrowly wide and keeper Kevin Miller did well to stop Taylor's diving header. Taylor then went close again as Barnsley sat back, but the Tykes were made to pay after 37 minutes when Taylor deservedly headed the equaliser from Lee Briscoe's exquisite chip. Weller and Little were both instrumental in the creation of this delightful goal. The second half began in a slower vein. This seemed to suit the home side who began to seize the initiative. Abrasive defender Chris Morgan was denied a goal after 51 minutes, having been penalised for pushing, and Sheron twice went close in the 62nd and 63rd minutes. Nevertheless, Burnley finished the stronger side. As at Watford, Maylett's late introduction caused the home side problems. Alan Moore (from Maylett's brilliant run and cutback), Lee Briscoe and Kevin Ball all came close to snatching a late victory.
Tykes' boss Steve Parkin conceded that Burnley were the better side. He concluded, "We were poor and I definitely see it as a point gained rather than two points lost." Stan agreed, remarking, "I thought it was a good match in difficult conditions. We were the better team and created enough chances to have won the game. We had a bad start and their man scored a nice goal and perhaps we should have had a man on the line, but we created a lot of goalscoring opportunities and could only take one of them. Really, we didn't get a break in front of goal. Kevin Ball, who was inspirational in midfield, almost grabbed a late winner, but his header was saved by Kevin Miller. It was a fantastic header from a great run and cross. A foot either way and it would have gone in. It was a nice goal by us and a good cross by Brisser and a good header by Gareth. I'm just waiting for a goal with his feet, as they are all headers! It was a good team performance with a swirling wind and a bobbly pitch. Tony (Grant) was withdrawn from the action at half time and replaced with Alan Moore because he had a tight hamstring, so that was a precaution. Glen Little was tiring and it's only his second full game back." Burnley: Beresford, West, Cox, Gnohere, Briscoe, Little (Maylett 83), Ball, Weller, Grant (A Moore 46), I Moore (Blake 74), Taylor. Subs not used: Armstrong and Cook. Attendance: 14, 411. Our match report.
12/2 Burnley did well to gain a point from this entertaining scrap at Millmoor, especially after being under the cosh for most of the second half. In fact, ex-Claret Alan Lee should have put Rotherham ahead within the first five minutes, but he placed his shot too near to Beresford. Ian Moore then quickly followed suit, squandering an equally inviting chance at the other end. Nevertheless, Moore did earn us our opening goal just minutes later when he forced Millers' defender Swailes into fouling him inside the box. From the resulting spot kick, Taylor sent Pollitt the wrong way. Our lead lasted all of two minutes. Ball was judged to have tripped Mullin, again inside the penalty area, and Robins made us pay. Beresford was very close to stopping Robins, but his magic dust had disappeared on the stiff evening breeze. So, it was 1-1 after just 11 minutes. Game on. Although Rotherham had most of the play up until the break, with their wide men, Sedgewick and Monkhouse, giving our defence a hard time, we stood up well to the pressure. What is more, relying on the counter attack, we might have snatched a half time lead when Dean West's goal bound effort was deflected narrowly wide. After the break, Rotherham upped the tempo. They pummelled our goal, simply gobbling up our hacked clearances. We were lucky to survive. In the 59th minute, John Mullin demonstrated additional host like generosity to his ex-colleagues when he drove wide from a good position. Then, five minutes later, Beresford beat out Monkhouse's diving header from close range. However, confusion in the Millers' defence nearly let in Taylor in the 66th, minute but he dragged his shot wide. Back at the Burnley end, Swailes nearly got on the end of a Mullin free kick. Rotherham continued to look the more likely winners as Burnley appeared to have settled for a point, although we nearly stole a win late on when Alan Moore's cross was headed wide by Graham Branch.
Stan said, "I thought ours was a penalty, but I didn't think theirs was." Ronnie Moore didn't think either penalty was justified and John Mullin confirmed that Ball had hardly touched him and was surprised to secure the spot kick. He still went down, though! Stan continued, "All in all, it's a good return, five points from three away games. There were few chances in the game. Ian Moore had one in the first half when he could have played Glen in, then Gareth Taylor had Robbie Blake with him, but didn't see him, but it was a bit of a battle and we'll take a point because we haven't played very well. But in fairness, Rotherham deserve credit and they closed us down well. We're proving hard to beat and that's what we want. Glen Little, Gareth Taylor and Ian Moore were all withdrawn, but no injuries were incurred. I wanted Brad to come on and he did very well. When you play three games in a short space of time, you need to share it out a little bit." Burnley stay in 5th position. Burnley: Beresford, West, Cox, Gnohere, Briscoe, Little (Maylett 65), Ball, Weller, A Moore, I Moore (Blake 61), Taylor (Branch 78). Subs not used: Armstrong, Cook. Attendance: 9,021. Our match report.
13/2 A very experienced Burnley reserves got back to winning ways at Oldham Athletic, bouncing back from their 7-1 drubbing at Wrexham almost a month ago. Two goals from Paul Cook in the first half set the Clarets on their way, but it needed some good defending from Mitchell Thomas and Gordon Armstrong during the second half to protect their lead. Robbie Blake had a good run out as he continues to build up match fitness. Steve Davis didn't make the squad, though, but is still on the mend. So are Nick Michopoulos and Andy Payton.
14/2 George Bray, a long and distinguished servant of the club, has died. The 83-year-old served the club as player, coach and kit-man. Born in Oswaldtwistle on the day the First World War ended, he was signed from Great Harwood Town in 1937 as an 18-year-old left half. Burnley was his only ever League club and his time at the club spanned seven decades before he retired in 1992. Stan paid tribute to George saying, "He was a fantastic character and obviously it is a sad day for Burnley. He was my reserve team coach when I came through as a kid here. It's a sad day and we've lost a great Burnley player of the past, as well as a Burnley coach, kit-man and everything. He was a lovely, lovely man and a real stalwart of Burnley Football Club. A lot of people will miss him."
16/2 On a drab afternoon, Burnley were indebted to Arthur Gnohere, whose 88th minute glancing header secured an unexpected point. Although strapped for cash and stripped of experienced players, Forest acquitted themselves well after a shaky opening. Arguably, Burnley should have been well in front before Forest got their act together. Playing five in midfield with Taylor the solitary front man, Burnley over run Forest in midfield during the first thirty minutes. West, Weller and Little were combining well on the right and Briscoe and Alan Moore were dangerous on the left, with Grant switching play from one flank to the other. Our domination was such that Kevin Ball frequently sought advanced positions. Unfortunately, we couldn't translate the pressure into goals. Taylor was the main culprit, wasting several heading opportunities that on other days he would have buried. The Reds weathered the early storm and had their own chances with Jack Lester shooting over and Nicky Summerbee driving a free kick inches wide. In fact, Forest finished the half as the stronger side but spurned a host of gilt-edged opportunities to break the deadlock. Lester found himself in a good position on the left but shot weakly, Harewood burst onto an Andy Reid pass and rounded keeper Marlon Beresford, but his shot at an open goal was blocked by Gnohere, and then Lester's cross found Harewood sliding in six yards out, but his shot again went over. At the break, Blake replaced Grant, who was still feeling his hamstring. Armstrong then came on for Blake after just 20 minutes of the second half. Turf Moor booed the decision, but Blake was experiencing further difficulties with his stomach strain. Perhaps the pace of the game didn't help, for it remained fast and furious. Only seconds after the restart a Nicky Summerbee cross fell for Reid running in, and his well-taken volley was kept out by Marlon's the legs, while at the other end Darren Ward was forced to make a diving save from another Taylor header. Despite his poor finishing Harewood was still proving a handful, and in the 69th minute his surging run took him past Cox and into the area. Gnohere's tackle was effective but illegal. Harewood proceeded to beat Marlon from the spot. At this point, even a draw seemed a remote prospect. Forest had managed to close down our rampant midfield by adopting five in midfield themselves and were much more dangerous on the break. Stan threw the dropped Ian Moore into the fray with 15 minutes remaining. Taylor was again presented with a headed chance that Ward saved, before Briscoe's free-kick thankfully found Gnohere's head. The Clarets remain fifth, and now have 57 points from 33 games played.
Stan's verdict was, "I'm happy with the point, although we should have won the game. We played well in the first half, but in the second we weren't at the races. But if you don't score a goal and you sit back, they will come at you and you are always liable to get caught on the break. We had enough chances to have won the game, but I'm delighted with the point because we looked like we were going to get nothing." Ternent reserved special praise for Gnohere, although he is not entirely happy with the Frenchman's defensive partnership with Ian Cox. "Him and Coxy have got to do better at times and I've told them so." With regard to the below par second half showing, Stan said that the switch to 4-4-2 wasn't successful. "They changed to a 4-5-1 as well and we were left a little over-run in the middle of the park." Burnley: Beresford, West, Cox (I Moore 74), Gnohere, Briscoe, Little, Weller, Ball, Grant (Blake 46) (Armstrong 65), A Moore, Taylor. Subs not used: Cook and Maylett. Attendance: 15,085. Our match report.
23/2 After Tuesday's re-arranged home fixture with Bradford was rained off, Burnley's play off berth is coming under greater threat. West Brom and Millwall are in front, attempting to track Wolves and Man City's hot pace. Norwich and Coventry are now lurking closely behind us, with Birmingham, Palace and Preston within striking distance. So, to keep us on our toes, Stan organised a midweek 'closed doors' game with Bolton. Former casualties Blake, Thomas and Payton all played, and although we lost 0-2, Stan felt that his objective had been achieved. As for Crewe, today's opponents, they were mauled 1-4 at home by Wolves on Wednesday, having creditably held Everton 0-0 at Goodison Park in the FA Cup last Sunday. But Stan wasn't fooled. Apparently Crewe should have been three up before Wolves scored their first. We expected a tough game today, particularly so since we were deprived of Grant (hamstring) and Gnohere (suspension).
However, Burnley imposed themselves quickly in the difficult windy conditions at the Alexandra Stadium, although Beresford needed to be alert to deny Hulse and Wright during the early exchanges. Ball positioned himself slightly behind his central defensive partner Cox. This was an astute move as we have tended to be caught square in recent games. Quite deservedly, Burnley took the lead in the 19th minute through Gareth Taylor. Having had his header from Cook's corner blocked by Smith on the line, he managed to strike the rebound home off both Smith and the post. It was Taylor's first successful shot from open play this season. More significantly, it was his 13th League strike of the campaign, his best professional return. Despite Burnley's grip on the game, Crewe should have equalised when Beresford's poor clearance set up Hulse, who rounded him but failed to finish from a tight angle. Cox was on hand to guard the goal line. Marlon's kicking remains as his major weakness. Apparently, Gordon Armstrong is now his understudy, such is Luigi's fall from grace. So, it was worrying when Army had to be substituted on the half-hour, having sustained a knock. Gordon had been playing well in our five-man midfield, but his replacement, Graham Branch, slotted in well at left back, with Briscoe moving seamlessly into midfield. Burnley could have increased their lead just before the break, but Crewe's keeper Clayton Ince was on hand to save a close-range effort from Paul Weller. After the break, Crewe introduced Rodney Jack in place of the disappointing Dean Ashton. Gradi reasoned that Jack's electric pace might put more pressure on the accomplished but sedately paced Kevin Ball. Nevertheless, Burnley managed to maintain their grip. Cook, Weller and Briscoe denied Crewe good possession, while Little and Alan Moore raided menacingly, supported well by the super fit Dean West and Branch. Little almost created a second for Taylor, and only a stupendous save from Ince prevented West from scoring his first Burnley goal. Our increasing pressure finally told, though. In the 58th minute we went further ahead thanks to a brilliant goal from Alan Moore. Prompted by Weller's pass, Moore evaded Smith's challenge and advanced into the Crewe box, but despite being confronted by several defenders, he somehow conjured up a superb shot that curled around them and into the top corner, leaving Ince helpless. This was a goal of the highest class. But lest we forget, this is Burnley. Just four minutes later we gifted Crewe a reprieve, following a shoddily defended corner. Hulse's header beat Beresford from five yards after good work from centre back Dave Walton. Crewe were immediately rejuvenated and were unlucky not to get an equaliser from Lunt's corner, hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession, first through Sodje's header and then through Jack's shot. Beresford also produced two fine saves from Vaughan to keep our slender lead intact. However, we managed to hold on through this very sticky 15 minute patch before gradually re-establishing control at the end. With the form team Millwall slipping up at home, this was an important victory.
A happy Stan concluded, "We deserved to win the game and we could have scored more, but their keeper made three outstanding saves. (Alan's goal) was fantastic. But Crewe then threw caution to the wind and we were defending a little deep, but we saw that anxious spell through and I think we could have scored more. It was a good team performance, with the midfield in particular battling hard. They have all done well, Lee Briscoe, Glen, Paul Weller and Alan Moore, but the pitch was poor and has had a lot of rain. It didn't suit Glen very well later in the game, but we won the battle and it was a well-won game. Gordon was feeling his hamstring and with all the games coming up we took him off." It later transpired that Gordon will be out for a month along with Johnrose (Achilles tendon) and Grant. But NTG and Davis are making good progress.
The only other downside concerned our youth team, who lost again to Tranmere 1-4, having missed a stack of chances. Burnley: Beresford, West, Ball, Cox, Briscoe, Little (I Moore 73), Weller, Armstrong (Branch 32), Cook, A Moore, Taylor. Subs not used: Blake, Maylett, McGregor. Attendance: 6,458. Our match report.
26/2 On a damp, windy night at Turf Moor, Burnley were beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City, missing the chance to overtake Millwall and claim 4th spot. It was a thoroughly wretched performance. Tommy Mooney was the solitary goalscorer when he headed Paul Devlin's right-wing cross past Marlon Beresford in the 25th minute. The Blues stamped their authority on the game from the off and although Burnley enjoyed better possession after the break, helped by the introduction of Blake, Ian Moore and (surprisingly) Steve Davis, they rarely threatened Bennet in the City goal. Little, Ian and Alan Moore and Weller all had half chances, but Burnley's approach play was error strewn and blunt. The only good news concerned Steve Davis' confident return, the extension on Marlon's loan and the defeats suffered by West Brom, Norwich and Coventry.
Stan didn't mince his words. "I am extremely disappointed with the performance and we were lacklustre. We got what we deserved and that was the worst we have been all season. I asked the crowd to get behind us, but we didn't give them anything to shout about. Too many of our players were nowhere near their potential and no one was above average. The occasion and expectation was there and the preparations for the game were shambolic, but that is no excuse. We played better in the second half, but their keeper didn't have a save to make." Burnley: Beresford, West, Ball, Cox, Branch (Davis 46), Little, Weller, Cook (I Moore 31), Briscoe, A Moore (Blake 69), Taylor. Subs not used: Maylett and McGregor. Attendance: 13,504. Our match report.
In storm-ravaged Britain, February is going out like a lion, anticipating March with its flourish of daffodils. But there is little spring warmth for the Government. Embarrassed by 'Garbagegate' and 'Spinocchio', they are confronted with the deepening funding and recruitment crises in the public services. It seems as if New Labour is about to turn to an Old Labour solution, higher taxation. However, on the Salt Lake City ice, our women curling team found gold, outshining Kylie's silver boots and the glitzy pomp of the Brit Awards. (How can such meagre talent be so extravagantly celebrated? And if God really exists why is there Frank Skinner?) Finally, with Daniel Pearl's murder, it seems as if the messenger is no longer bullet (or knife) proof. As Robert Fisk also found, there is no neutrality in a war zone. Even for journalists, impartiality is a receding option. But what's so good about impartiality? Perhaps we should leave it in the hospitality boxes, where it belongs.
Tim Quelch
28 February 2002
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