Burnley 3 Norwich 5
Beastly
The statistics said...
We lost 5-3 to Norwich at the Turf - our first home defeat in 2004. Incredibly (or perhaps not), we had the lead three times: at 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. However, a combination of dreadful 'goalkeeping' and awful 'defending' allowed the Canaries back into the match, and they gratefully accepted the chances we presented to them.
For the record, the goals were as follows:
Wood 7 (free kick)
Svensson 14 (deflected shot)
May 30 (close-range shot)
Huckerby 32 (shot)
Blake 38 (shot)
McKenzie 51 (header)
Svensson 62 (header)
Huckerby 89 (close-range shot)
(Oh - and sub Iwan Roberts could have made it 6-3 right at the end, but he failed to connect with the ball.)
Burnley mistakes contributed to each of Norwich's last four goals, either through poor marking (Darren Huckerby ran Lee Roche ragged all afternoon) or cock-ups in goal and central defence (Graham Branch being particularly culpable).
After the game, Stan Ternent said: "Blah blah blah anyone's-fault-but-mine ITV Digital blah blah blah". (Actually, he just blamed Brian Jensen.)
Our survey said...
Jules:
I didn't expect what happened today. Defeat is hard to bear, but Norwich are a good side and may just survive next year. Why are we so good one week and so shit the next?
Woody:
Farcical defending by both teams, with Jensen and Branch as bad today as they were good at Bradford. We now have to concentrate on the crucial matches over the Easter period, and hope that the defence turns up.
I can't even be bothered thinking of someone to be.
Firmo:
Today, it's quite clear why we're near the bottom of the Division. In the first half, I thought we played quite well. The midfield was good, with Grant and Wood pulling the strings. Norwich didn't look like they fancied it; we scored... and this is Burnley. We don't hold leads anymore - we can't finish games off - so we conceded and conceded and conceded. Three times we had the lead; three times we chucked in soft goals. We've been doing that all season, and that's why we're where we are.
I'm going to offer the following insights to Stan Ternent free of charge:
Jensen and Branch had a big argument with each other (by the way, I've never seen so many arguments on the field as this season watching Burnley - not a happy ship?), and my only regret is that they didn't knock each other out so that we could get some professional players onto the pitch.
In the second half, Norwich stepped up a gear, while we looked like we had been told to defend. Well, the result was predictable: more soft goals eluding the ever-indecisive Jensen; and a game that we could have won, lost.
I like Norwich, and we had a good time with the Capital Canaries in the pubs of Burnley today. But I think they're on course to be the worst team ever to win the First Division. We should have beaten them today, but we didn't because we defended like wankers. I don't know about anybody else, but I fancy a new manager. I hope that Stan's contract isn't renewed at the end of the season. Time for a change.
If Brian Jensen is a First Division goalkeeper, then I am Becko's orange shirt.
Editor's note: after the game, Becko was sporting a VERY bright orange shirt! The only bright spot amongst the gloom, actually.
Lee F:
Hello? Is there anybody out there? If Brian Jensen is a First Division goalkeeper, then I am a cheese fondue. I am very disappointed. This is the last song I will ever sing.
Editor's note: no, we've no idea what he's talking about.
Becko:
If we stay up this season, it's only putting off the inevitable until the end of next season. The defence is no better than last season. Robbie Blake must be pissed off. It's putrid.
If Brian Jensen is a First Division goalkeeper, then I am a corned beef sandwich.
Paddy:
On a few occasions this season, I've accidentally watched a game sober. Amazingly, we've either won or drawn all those matches. Today, after a torturous six hour journey to Burnley, I was not only sober but missed the first seven minutes and Neil Wood's goal. What transpired after that was a mixture of good forward play and shambolic defending by both sides - and the loss of my 'undefeated sober' record.
Last week, I was full of praise for Branch and Jensen, but this week they were embarrassing. Not only for their inept performances, but for the childish finger-pointing after each goal went in. Jensen should take the lion's share of the blame for the goals. His indecision served to confuse the whole of the back four.
I just hope that when we play our relegation rivals, we improve drastically. Otherwise, it's Doncaster, Hull and Luton next season.
If Brian Jensen is a First Division goalkeeper, then I am a stick insect.
Pauline:
Arriving late, I missed the first two goals. I had a silent bet with myself that it would end 1-1 and I wouldn't see any goalmouth action. If only! Jensen, Branch and Roche were all crap, and the Naardge forwards (especially Huckerby) tore us apart in the second half.
By the way, my dictionary defines 'beast' as "a living organism characterised by voluntary movement". I'm about to write to the publishers with an alternative definition. Unfortunately, it's too rude to repeat here.
Hozzo:
Lop the Branch out of the team, and we could have won! Key matches coming up that we have to win.
Dermot:
Take Branch out of the equation, and we might have got a result. Remember what Stan said about him last week*? What a load of rubbish - a bit like today.
Editor's note: after the Bradford game, Ternent crowed "...Graham Branch was also excellent today, not bad when people say he's not supposed to be able to play at centre back!". Nice one, Stan. Ho ho ho.
Pic of the day
We asked Mystic Meg to look into the future for us. This is what she saw:
Manager Stan Ternent said: "...Graham Branch was also excellent today, not bad when people say he's not supposed to be able to play in goal!".
Robbie Blake has now scored 300 goals for Burnley. Not bad for a centre half (Stan's 'converted' him to play there, alongside Ian Moore, though he does help out up front). Our centre forward is an electricity pylon - Stan thought that he showed a spark when on trial. Brian Jensen is now a settee in the Director's Suite, whilst Lenny Johnrose is now in his twentieth spell for the Clarets.
Unfortunately, we've only won 5 per cent of our games over the past three seasons. However, the Board is happy to blame ITV Digital for any failures, and Stan has just been given a new contract to keep him at the Club until 2016.
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the vox pop section are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Burnley FC London Supporters' Club.
