Reflections on the Season 2001/02
Assault with a Pepper
How disappointing was it to miss out?
On my first day back at work after the final outcome was known, a couple of colleagues sidled over and offered their commiserations almost as if I’d suffered some sort of bereavement. Fact is, I think it’s the kindest thing that could have happened. With certain exceptions, we’ve been generally poor since Christmas and I wasn’t looking forward to enduring two further humiliations at the hands of Wolves – surely two per season is more than enough? As for Millwall, I just give thanks that I don’t have to go there again this season. If you were there last time, you’ll understand why.
Did we all get carried away?
In short, yes, although even when we were top I never really believed that it was going to last. We certainly played some great stuff in the first half of the season, though not, tellingly, against our twin bogeys Man City and Wolves.
What went wrong?
Our continued over-reliance on Super Glen was exposed when he was injured. When he’s not in the side we don’t have an alternative creative outlet – sit down Alan Moore, we know it’s not you. As we ran out of steam in the second half of the season, what had appeared to be a decent blend of youth and experience began to look like a mix of old age and inexperience.
High points
Ten away wins in one season! It’s not so long ago that it would have taken three whole seasons to achieve that total.
The win at Coventry was the most complete performance I’ve witnessed from a Burnley side for several years. The fact that Coventry fielded a depleted side is irrelevant. Our football was irresistible and we simply blew them away – they hardly got a kick. It was truly beautiful.
The emergence of Arthur Gnohere and the consistent performances of Dean West.
David Johnson – he’s quick, he scores goals and he wants to play for us. Let’s just hope a deal can be done.
The cod in the Leaking Boot fish and chip shop in Cleethorpes.
Low points
Getting mullered by Man City and Wolves, as per bloody usual. The absolutely shameful capitulation in the Cotswolds that deprived us of a chance of a cup run. People booing at Turf Moor and yelling abuse at Stan – they did, because I heard them. The routine slagging-off of Gareth Taylor by the same people, together with their inexplicable veneration of Ian Moore. The abject surrenders at Sheff U and Grimsby, where Burnley simply failed to turn up.
Who ought to go?
It’s been announced that some of the old-timers are on their way, and that’s got to be right. Mitchell and Bally have both been absolutely great for us but, to be brutal, they are now just too old. I don’t see that Gordon Armstrong is likely to figure again either. There’s also a case for taking some hard decisions about some of the younger fringe players. Does anyone really still think that Brad Maylett is going to make it? And does anyone know the whereabouts of Dimitri "one for the future" Papadopoulos?
I’d also be quite glad to see the back of a substantial number of what I suppose I must call my fellow supporters. Isn’t it great to see the Turf full again? Well, no, not when it’s full of arseholes, it’s not. Maybe I’m getting sensitive in my old age but I just can’t bear being around some of the cretins that pass themselves off as Burnley supporters these days. OK, we’ve always had a rough element that relished a punch-up, but this current crop of baseball-capped morons, with their routinely racist and sectarian rhetoric really make me sick. I just wish they’d go back to wherever they were before the club started to be relatively successful again.
Who ought to come in?
Marlon, assuming we can get him. David Johnson, if we can afford him. A good all round midfield player if we can find one.
What ought to change?
Less miserabilism amongst the supporters. Look at where we were three or four years ago and where we are now. Sure, we can still be critical, but singling out the manager and individual players for barracking is counter-productive as well as depressing. Oh, and can we have a cup run next season please?
John Pepper
April 2002
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