Dave's take on the loss of three or gain of a point against the Mad Hatters...
Dave Thornley gets his mojo on to deliver his verdict on Saturday’s home draw against the Mad Hatters…
On the evidence of yesterday afternoon’s initial home game of this Championship season, the visit to Turf Moor of Luton Town represented the type of opponents that Burnley will face on a fairly regular basis as the season progresses.
Well-drilled, physically strong, and hardworking, the visitors were not about to be bedazzled by, and indulgent of, Burnley’s fledging slick passing game. Luton committed themselves to defending deep, denying space in Burnley’s attacking third, and generally being a nuisance.
As early as the fifth minute, the Hatters had themselves a lead to try and preserve; a cross from the left of the kind Burnley fans have become accustomed to seeing Ben Mee head clear, or Nick Pope calmly pluck out of the air, instead induced hesitation between keeper Aro Muric and his defenders, which soon became a goalmouth scramble, and which was resolved by Luton’s Potts stabbing the ball home.
For the remainder of the first half Luton dealt with a fair degree of comfort with Burnley’s efforts to establish a foothold in the game.
It was gratifying therefore to see that Burnley were able to make the necessary adjustments, increase their tempo and haul themselves back into the contest. Shortly after the restart, they were level; the ball breaking to Josh Brownhill on the edge of the box and the midfielder curling a sumptuous first-time shot into the corner of the Luton goal. Brownhill doesn’t score many, but when he does, they tend to be spectacular.
From then on, Burnley pressed for a winning goal which stubbornly refused to come. Ashley Barnes and new signing Manuel Benson – introduced as a substitute and certain to become a crowd favourite with his impish close control – each came close but the pattern of the second half was for Burnley pressure to become embroiled in Luton’s defensive web.
In the end, Clarets fans were left with a mixture of emotions, the most prevalent of which were disappointment at the failure to win and encouragement at the second half performance.
For many of those fans it was the first opportunity to check out what was to all intents and purposes an entirely new squad.
In addition to Benson, it is clear that Ian Maatsen is a player of genuine quality and there was a brief, but enticing cameo from Vitinho, he will no doubt feature more prominently as the season progresses.
In defence, after being accustomed to the comfort blanket provided by the trio of Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and Nick Pope; it looks as though a Kompany-style back line will be slightly more reckless in their defence of the Burnley goal, but more forthright in springing attacks from deep in their half. It may take some getting used to and it may cause a few more grey hairs, but it may also reap benefits.
Next up is another one of those confounded Friday night engagements, away to Watford, the challenges come thick and fast but early signs continue to give cause for optimism.
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