Dave's take on our last two games...
Clarets Mad match summariser Dave Thornley offers a different opinion to the doom and gloom merchants currently wandering around Turf Moor crying, “We are doomed!”
Okay, so the last three games haven’t gone quite to plan, Burnley’s points tally could, indeed should, be at least four points plumper than it currently is, but set against opponents whose tactical planning offers little more than setting up a blockade, then achieving the desired results is a difficult business.
If the Sean Dyche era has taught us anything however, it is not to become churlish about the deployment of such tactics as a means of accruing points in a long and challenging season. Burnley’s task under Vincent Kompany is to find a consistently reliable way of surmounting such obstacles.
This Burnley team are unlikely to scratch out too many hard-fought 1-0 wins, rather they are inclined to weave intricate and complex patterns, unlocking a defence with misdirection or sleight of hand (foot?)
Make no mistake, there is a considerable amount of natural ability in this Burnley squad and some of their passages of play both in Friday night’s defeat at Watford and last night’s home draw with Hull City were pleasingly easy on the eye.
But in both cases, and in the previous encounter against Luton, they surrendered the first goal and gave their opponents a lead to nurture, cherish and defend with every sinew. Watford clung to their lead throughout Burnley’s second half pressure, Hull surrendered theirs but thereafter hung on and were rewarded with a point.
At Vicarage Road last Friday, Tom Cleverley’s neat side foot finish towards the end of a decidedly iffy first half gave the Hornets the lead. Burnley’s second half was much improved but found the crossbar and an inspired performance by Bachmann in the Watford goal held the Clarets at bay despite a late red card shown to Kamara for a foul on Vitinho.
And so, to Turf Moor last night and the visit of the Tigers from Hull City. The mood was one of expectation at the kick off and Burnley began the game with something of a swagger, but a long ball, a flicked header, a chase, and a neat finish into the corner of Aro Muric’s goal saw Burnley fall behind once again.
They weren’t behind for long; a sweeping ball from Josh Cullen precisely found Ian Maatsen on the left wing; his low cross was neatly turned in at the near post by Jay Rodriguez. A crisp, flowing move, a goal of elegance and beauty.
From then on, a Burnley winner seemed the most likely outcome, but Hull’s massed ranks of defenders stood firm and as the second half progressed there were a few oohs and aahs in the Hull goalmouth, but very little in the way of clear-cut opportunities.
It will come in time, the players have sufficient ability to put to the sword many of the teams in the Championship, which only serves to enhance the irritation of the Clarets faithful. Patience is called for, unfortunately not a commodity most readily associated with Burnley fans.
At least the fixtures come thick and fast and allow no time to dwell, a home game against Blackpool on Saturday will come around before we know it. Let’s hope for three points.
Finally, a word to acknowledge the sad passing of Lenny Johnrose who finally succumbed to the ravages of Motor Neurone Disease. He was a wholehearted and popular figure in the Burnley midfield under Stan Ternent. Thoughts and condolences to his family, he will always be a Claret.
Clarets v Seasiders Match Preview up next. The games come thick and fast in the Championship. (TEC.)
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