I think the management missed a great opportunity yesterday to demonstrate to the Burnley
fans future intentions-if the team had included 3/4 of from the youth set up
McGlynn,Helm,Dodgson etc a defeat would have been forgiven and understood.
Based on the current structure and philosophy it was clear that this wouldn't happen!
The team was beginning to look more solid with the introduction of Collins, but as soon as
Tarkowski had completed his suspension he was returned to the side in his place.
With regard to Roberts,as a right "wing back/midfielder" he HAS to be able to offer more than
Gudjonsson; yet he is another whose place seems to be guaranteed! (sadly neither were fit
yesterday)
A lot of comments have been made with reference to transfers and lack of investment since
the club were promoted; but whilst I am no fan of the previous board the issue may go
deeper than we realise.
When the club were promoted we were told that the style and players would evolve, but a
number of seasons later we continue to play a style of football that has now "caught up" with
an ageing and slow squad of players.
Recruitment began with and continued with a spend of almost 50 million on
Wells-Lambert-Gibson-Vydra-Hart-Lennon-Stephens most of who spent more time "warming
the bench (some arrived with injuries and were never fully fit) and that figure doesn't begin to
factor in wages.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing,but no attempt ever seemed to be made to replace Joey
Barton (perhaps Drinkwater who everyone knew was a disaster waiting to happen and so it
proved)
I would like to hear Mike Garlicks the ex Chairman's view on all this, who since the first
whisper of ALK has remained mysteriously quiet throughout.
Maybe based on past experience he wasn't prepared to "open the vault" again and waste
more money!
Pace and ALK sanctioned what I believe in Collins,Roberts and Cornet were good and
exciting investments' but with regard to Cornet I remain convinced he's not and wasn't a
Dyche type (battling,dour-premier league journeyman player)
Left to the current playing philosophy its likely that the Cornet money would have been
invested in more of the same.
I cling to the hope that the team can produce a miracle and somehow avoid the drop, and if
as read Newcastle are chasing both Wood and Tarkowski; believe on current performance
and commitment we couldn't fare any worse without them-the time has arrived (maybe too
late) for some fresh ideas and maybe a complete restructuring whether we remain in the
Premier league or not.