retired_tonytranbg79

Tuesday - 31/08/04, Championship game 7

Leeds v Burnley
@Elland Road

John was discussing the season so far, albeit only a month in, with club captain and coach Mark Yates. Yates was currently sidelined with a torn groin muscle which he picked up in the game against Leicester. They agreed it had been dismal so far they were out of the league cup, lost their last two, hadn’t won in three, only won two so far, hadn’t scored more than one goal in a game five games. These things needed to be corrected, other than the cup of course. To help with this they brought in Adam Proudlock in on a three month loan from Sheffield Wednesday, he was a talented right winger who will hopefully provide some balance to the team. Also Simon Lynch was brought in on a three month loan from Preston, a striker who will push for a starting place. This was their second game with Leeds in a week this time it was for three points and they were away. Rather surprisingly the ref was Kevin Wright who refereed the last Burnley game.

Starting with a more defensive outlook Robinson went for a 4-1-4-1 formation with Nicolas coming in for Blake and sitting in front of the back four. Proudlock was put straight in on the right and McGreal came in for Roche at the back. Lynch and Blake were on the bench to allow a quick change to an attacking stance. Fortunately for Robinson Ricketts and Radebe were out with injuries for Leeds but it would still be a tough match. The game started out at a very high tempo and both sides had chances in the opening stages. Deane tried a cross for Leeds but it struck Duff and deflected into the net, Jensen had been fooled as he advanced to collect the cross. A terrible start for Robinson and with a defensive line up it will be tricky to get back into the game. It was a very open game and the first half was end to end both teams getting chances. Leeds getting the slightly better chances but neither side managed to convert them.

At half time Robinson changed the team round, he switched to his normal 4-4-2 formation. He swapped Blake and Lynch for Nicolas and Moore up front. Moore had spurned all his chances and wasn’t looking good. Robinson told them to go out and attack and really get at Leeds. This change paid off immediately as a nicely worked move was finished off by Blake. Leeds then started to come back into it, when a chipped ball from Deane in the box found Nunez his header floated over the stranded Jensen into the net. Jensen was to blame his positioning was appalling. Then Johnson found himself in the box his initial shot was parried by Jensen when it should have been saved, Johnson got on the rebound and slotted it into the empty net. Robinson had his head in his hands he couldn’t believe it. After some good build up a beautiful ball from Chaplow found Lynch in the box and he beat the keeper at his near post to give them a chance. Another Chaplow through ball found Blake this time, going shoulder to shoulder with the defender he got a shot off and it nestled into the back of the net. Relief washed over Robinson like a tidal wave, this game was taking it out of him. Sinclair gave away a free kick at the edge of the area, Crainey fired a beautiful shot that hit off the post and in, unstoppable. Then somehow Wright found himself one on one with Jensen, he fired it past Jensen who didn’t even try. Robinson couldn’t believe what he was seeing as entertaining as the game was to the neutral it was a disaster for Burnley.
Leeds 5 v 3 Burnley

Goals: Leeds: Deane 3, Nunez 57, Johnson 58, Crainey 87, Wright 89 - Burnley: Blake 46, 75, Lynch 66

MoM: Wright (Leeds)
Att: 22,387
Ref: Kevin Wright

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Coming away from the Leeds game John had racked up a couple of injuries left back Mo Camara had twisted his knee towards the end of the game. Valois Burnley’s best player so far this season had also picked up a knock. Fortunately they had a couple of weeks off thanks to international games being played. John had been pleased with his latest acquisitions Lynch and Proudlock, both had played well and looked promising. Shame was he only had them for three months, he wished he could have them longer but it wasn’t to be. Sam was a little depressed Burnley’s recent form was nothing to be proud of and he could see it was going to be a struggle again this season. However the main factor in his unhappiness was the fact he was out of a job, after finishing the building on the estate he had no other work at the minute. Sam liked to work he wasn’t one for sitting about doing nothing so being out of work saw him wander about aimlessly looking for something to do. England would be his focus over the next two weeks, Rob, Phil, himself and a couple of others were flying out to Austria then on to Poland to see England’s world cup qualifiers.

The England games were far from John’s mind, of course he would be watching the games. Chairman Barry Kilby, his assistant David Kevan and himself will be watching them together whilst talking about the season so far. John found himself a little worried about this. He wasn’t sure what Barry would make of the season. It was still early days but the early days turn into later ones and before you know it the end of season is upon you. Arriving at a rather posh Chinese restaurant he was guided to a private suite where Barry and David were waiting for his arrival.

Barry: Here he is, please sit John and don’t worry it’s just a little get together

John: I thought we were here to discuss the season so far?

Barry: No we are here for Chinese food and football. Sure we will talk about the club, but informally so sit down and enjoy yourself

John: Ok thanks, Dave.

Dave: John

They ordered their food and set about putting the world to rights. Amongst which was Burnley FC. There was nothing for John to worry about, he knew it was a difficult task. All he was told was that the league form was ok as long as their current losing streak was put to an end soon. They were sitting in 17th place and certainly looked capable of staying up. Surprisingly Sunderland, Wigan and Reading were all below them, something that amazed the three men. Barry like everyone at the club was disappointed with the cup exit, but that was now in the past. One good note was that the clubs finances were on the up, over the past month they had made a sizable profit. They were still in the red but if things keep going as they were they would soon be in the black. The only debt they had to pay off was a loan from Barry which would be paid off by 2006. So next season would be the season of progress, this one as he had planned would be not to go backwards.

Finishing their delicious meal they settled back and switched on the huge plasma screen. England were about to kick off against Poland after disposing of Austria 2-0, goals from Vassell and Beckham. John couldn’t help thinking about the upcoming match. It was a huge game, they were at home to local rivals Preston North End. On top of that the game was televised adding more stress that John would rather not have. He would have some personnel problems to overcome for Saturday. Camara’s knee was still sore and he was a major doubt for the game, Sinclair had picked up a knock on international duty with Jamaica. Yates was still out for at least a couple of weeks, Lynch on loan from Preston wasn’t allowed to play. Finally a keeper crisis Jensen had performed poorly in the past few games and his confidence was low for it. Coyne was still a little down but John hoped playing would sort that out and decided to go with him. Fortunately Valois had gotten over his knock, a small mercy as Valois had been a diamond in the dirt so far. But that was to come, he allowed himself to enjoy the England game, which they ended up winning 3-0, goals from Owen and Vassell.

retired_tonytranbg79

Saturday – 11/09/04, Championship game 8

Burnley v Preston
@Turf Moor

Sam had enjoyed his little holiday, even more so for seeing England win twice. Now he was back watching Burnley, as much as he loved his club he often found it hard work. After the recent run of results he wasn’t optimistic for the outcome of this game especially given the league position of the two clubs. Burnley were 17th and Preston were 2nd, the only saving grace was that Preston was local rivals and going by the cliché that the form book goes out the window in derby games. The TV coverage meant it was an evening kick off and a drunker crowd, which will lead to a great atmosphere if not a rowdy one. Reading the local paper this morning he noted manager John Robinson’s comment that he was looking forward to the game with their rivals. Also that McGreal had been added to the list of injuries. 19 year old Paul Scott had been called up to the first team to play as left back to cover Camara. Sam noted that despite being the home side Robinson decided on a defensive approach 4-1-4-1 system, also adding Grant to the midfield for Hyde for even more defensive abilities. That wouldn’t please the crowd who wanted a high tempo blood thirsty match.

Burnley: GK: Coyne, DR: Roche, DL: Scott, DC: Duff, DC: Sanokho: DMC: Nicolas: MR: Proudlock, ML: Valois, MC: Grant, MC: Chaplow: SC: Moore: Subs: GK: Jensen: D: McGreal: M: Hyde, M: Lennon: SC: Blake

Straight from the off Preston bombed forward and forced a corner kick out of Burnley. The first 20 minutes were dominated by Preston who got a further two corners. After they had withheld the opening stages Robinson emerged at the touchline commanding his men to get forward a bit more and not sit back as much. This saw Burnley start to dominate the game as Preston were caught out by the sudden change in attitude. They earned a couple of corners and Moore was only just stopped from scorning by a last ditch tackle. Preston found it really hard to come to terms with Burnley’s attacks and conceded three more corners. Duff almost scored from a corner, his header thundering back off the bar and cleared to safety. Eddie Lewis was sent off for a second yellow card immediately after the first. He picked up the first for a foul, then the second for dissent after disagreeing with the first. This was fortunate as he was one of their better players.

At half time Robinson went back to the 4-4-2 formation swapping Blake for Nicolas. He told them to go out and really get at 10 men Preston, force all the issues and to get stuck in. It would come as no surprise that Burnley were dominating forcing many corners from their rivals. The fact that they couldn’t find the back of the net would come as little surprise also. Preston defended resolutely and any time they did roam forward it would end abruptly. They were never completely out of it and had a chance to knick the game but the ball was cleared. Scoring never really looked on the cards for either side and for Burnley’s attacking Preston was equal in defence and so a 0-0 draw was a fair result.

Burnley 0 v 0 Preston

Bookings: Preston: Lewis (x2 – Red)

MoM: Valois
Att: 22,091
Ref: Martin Atkinson

retired_tonytranbg79

Saturday - 18/09/04, Championship game 9

Reading v Burnley
@The Madejski Stadium

Next up was an away game to struggling Reading. A lot of people thought Reading would be pushing for a playoff spot not languishing in a relegation place. However that was the situation and a preferable one for Robinson and Burnley. He stuck with the 4-1-4-1 formation making a couple of changes. Camara regained his spot from Scott and Lynch got the nod over Moore at the front. Robinson hoped that Lynch’s confidence would see him play a better game than Moore.

Reading kicked off the game and immediately they forced a corner from a Convey cross. It was Convey who took the corner and found an unmarked Forster who headed home. Robinson was shell shocked, totally unmarked and a free header basic schoolboy stuff and his team couldn’t do it. All it needed was a defenders presence and that would have put him off. Instead there was nobody but Reading players. Reading were rampant and Convey was on fire he produced a devastating cross for Forster to fire home for his and Readings second. The game went into a bit of a lull then Burnley started to come into it, Valois coming very close to scorning after a great move.

The half time break saw what was becoming a regular occurrence Robinson changed the formation to a 4-4-2 attacking style. Once again Nicolas made way this time for Moore, Grant also came off for Hyde. Robinson decided to throw everything at Reading and saw that he had nothing to lose. Lynch picked up a knock and had to be replaced prematurely by Blake. A Burnley throw in deep inside their own half made its way back to Coyne, his kick found Hyde. He spotted Blake’s run and found him with a perfect through ball, Blake ran to the edge of the box and crossed to an unmarked Moore to slot it home. At last they had found a way back into the match and Robinson ran to the touchline to get his team raring for an equaliser. A look of surprise and delight crept across Robinson’s face as Convey was replaced by Goater. Burnley’s attacking outlook allowed Reading to counter but Burnley’s defence got their act together and snuffed all attacks out. An equaliser looked like it would never come, in fact it looked more likely that Reading would get another. A beautiful cross field ball from Moore found Valois on the edge of the area and his cross made sure chaos ensued in the six yard box. The ball was loose and people were scrabbling for a touch. In the end it was Chaplow that got a touch and stabbed the ball home for a 90th minute equaliser.

Reading 2 v 2 Burnley

Goals: Reading: Forster 2, 6 - Burnley: Blake 61, Chaplow 91

Bookings: Reading: Quashie - Burnley: Sanokho, Nicolas

MoM: Forster (Reading)
Att: 10,976
Ref: Graham Salisbury

retired_tonytranbg79

Saturday - 25/09/04, Championship game 10

QPR v Burnley
@Loftus Road

Robinson stuck with the same formation for the trip to QPR. This would be a very tough game they were currently second in the division. However after the fight back against Reading the team’s morale had risen but for how long would depend on the outcome of this game. The only change was Moore coming in for the injured Lynch who would be out for three weeks. Despite Burnley’s defensive attitude they were far from non-threatening however it was the final ball that really let them down. The one thing keeping it level was the keeper Coyne. It really was an entertaining game and Burnley were doing well to keep it 0-0 at the break. This time Robinson decided to stick with the formation, for now. The second half started how the first ended until an unexpected shot from Gallen from 35 yards out caught everyone out as it sailed into the net. It wasn’t long after that changes were made by Robinson, Nicolas and Grant making way for Blake and Hyde. Robinson changed them to the 4-4-2 formation and told them to get at QPR and back into the game. Cooke came on for Valois who had picked up a knock. Burnley tried valiantly to get back in the game but came up short.

QPR 1 v 0 Burnley
Goals: QPR: Gallen 64

Bookings: Burnley: Sanokho, Moore

MoM: Coyne
Att: 17,057
Ref: Alan Kaye

retired_tonytranbg79

Saturday – 02/10/04, Championship game 11

Burnley v Watford
@Turf Moor

The visit of Watford to Turf Moor was the perfect opportunity to get a win, something Burnley hadn’t had in a while. They were currently 22nd in the league, three places behind Burnley. Robinson fired his men up and sent them onto the field with victory in their mind. He went with an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Moore and Blake up front. McGreal and Hyde came in for Sanokho and Grant respectively. Robinson wanted and needed a victory desperately as Burnley were slipping in the wrong direction.

They couldn’t have asked for a better start as straight from the kick off they put together a lovely move. From the edge of the area Moore let go an outstanding shot which left everyone standing like statues. It made a change Burnley getting into an early lead. The game was being played at a very high tempo Watford certainly weren’t holding back. Now they were a goal behind Watford needed to get back into the game. Hyde won the ball from a Watford goal kick, his one two with Valois created a gap to slip the ball to Moore. His shot snuck under the diving keeper to extend Burnley’s lead. Just before half time Moore had a chance for a hat trick as he won a one on one with the keeper but a defender got back to clear the ball off the line.

After the half time team talks were said and done Burnley had the best chance yet to put the game to bed. Moore was pulled down in the area and the ref awarded Burnley a penalty. Valois stepped up to give Burnley a three goal lead, but the penalty was saved. Groans went round Turf Moor, Robinson wondered how crucial that miss would be. Watford took heart from this and countered a Burnley attack, Helguson crossing the ball into the box and Mahon firing a shot against the bar. Unfortunately for Robinson and his men Mahon followed up his shot and headed home the rebound. Burnley were rocked by this and Watford took advantage by piling on the pressure. Burnley withheld the pressure and tried to gain back a two goal advantage. Both sides were attacking and countering, stretching each others defences. Mahon slipped a ball through a wide open Burnley defence for Helguson to go clear. He went one on one with the keeper, then played a slide rule pass to an unmarked Dyer who had an easy finish. Robinson had a feeling he would regret the penalty miss and now Watford were on level terms he knew he would. Burnley were now attacking from a winner, they didn’t want to sit back and defend for a point when they could have three. Once again Watford took advantage of the wide open Burnley defence. Helguson putting Dyer through but his shot was saved by Coyne, the rebound fell to Helguson who hit the back of the empty net. Turf Moor went silent and the crowd started to leave, Robinson went mad on the touchline as Burnley from 2-0 up ended 2-3.

Burnley 2 v 3 Watford

Goals: Burnley: Moore 1, 35 - Watford: Mahon 58, Dyer 76, Helguson 89

Bookings: Burnley: Camara, Valois, Chaplow - Watford: Gayle, Webber, Ferrell

MoM: Moore
Att: 17,262
Ref: Steve Castle

Shermanez

its about time this place had a decent burnley story! you'll need to sort those results out though, us clarets are a fickle bunch!

UTC!

retired_tonytranbg79

Thanks, I have a soft spot for Burnley don't know when it started or why

I can't believe the way things are going, but it makes the story and game more interesting, for me anyway.

retired_tonytranbg79

Now the Watford game had passed they had a two week break because of internationals. This would give Burnley time to regroup and get over injuries. Last time internationals had come about Sam was depressed, mainly because of Burnley’s form also because he wasn’t working. Neither of which had resolved itself yet, Burnley hadn’t won in 10 games and he still wasn’t working. Burnley had come close on a couple of occasions to notch a win but had thrown the opportunities away. Their next game was against Stoke who were 10th, Sam didn’t hold out much hope for a win there.

Since the Cardiff incident Sam had little to do with Mike and his friends. Having a punch up was one thing but smashing a guy over the head with a plank of wood was another. Sam didn’t agree with that and he made sure Mike knew that. As far as Mike was concerned Sam was just being soft and unwilling to do what is necessary. Sam just thought of Mike as a hooligan pure and simple, in it for the violence not for the love of the club. They just kept away from each other but it wasn’t all that easy at times, sometimes when he saw Mike he would just smirk at him and that wound Sam up.

Once again John was invited to a Chinese meal with Barry, well not invited so much as must attend. As much as he loved Chinese food and watching the England games he was reluctant to spend much time with his boss. The form wasn’t good and he didn’t want to be lectured. However he wasn’t in fact very little was said about Burnley and he started to relax. That was when Barry asked about what John thought the problem was. John didn’t know what to say other than the players weren’t really good enough. In the end he blurted out confidence, all they needed was a good game or a bit of luck to get them going in the right direction. That satisfied his chairman then he changed the topic to the reserves and the youth teams who had been doing amazingly well. After a long discussion they sat back and watched the second of England’s games in this break. The first game they beat Wales at Villa Park, an Emile Heskey 90th minute winner sealed it after Bellamy equalised an Owen goal. In this game they ran out victors over Azerbaijan, goals from Campbell, Gerrard and Butt sealed the win.

retired_tonytranbg79

Saturday – 16/10/04, Championship game 12

Burnley v Stoke
@Turf Moor

Burnley had gone 10 games without a win, they needed one if they wished to stay out of the relegation spots. However the visit of 10th place Stoke wasn’t to be an easy task. Robinson and the team had been buoyed by the return of Sinclair, Yates and Lynch. Sticking with the same formation he used against Watford Sinclair came straight into the squad for McGreal. Lynch and Yates started the game on the bench. Robinson knew sitting back wouldn’t get the job done so he told his men to attack with all they had.

As the players took to the pitch on a wet and breezy chilly October afternoon it was Burnley who were fastest out of the blocks. They worked the ball well and had a couple of early chances. A long clearance from a Stoke defender found Akinbiyi and he muscled his way through the Burnley defence to unleash a vicious shot that rattled the cross bar. Rob Hulse was stretchered off after 10 minutes after a collision with Duff. It was Stoke who took the upper hand and started to pile the pressure on Coyne’s goal. On 20 minutes Valois let rip a crashing free kick from 30 yards out which hit the angle of post and bar before it was cleared to safety. The ball was returned to Valois on the left wing and he slipped a ball into the middle for Grant to get on the end of and give Burnley the lead. It was an open end to end game which certainly for the Burnley fans at this point was entertaining. They were again given a free kick 30 yards out, this time Blake struck it with his right foot. The ball curled into the top corner leaving the keeper stranded. As Turf Moore erupted with elation Robinson showed no emotion, all he could think of was the last time they were two up, against Watford. The first half ended as it had been all game fairly even chance wise, the only difference being Burnley took advantage of theirs.

In the second half Robinson kept with the formation and players but wanted them to be more cautious going forward, don’t expose themselves at the back. Stoke were rampant in the first 10 minutes of the second half, keeping Burnley firmly on the back foot. However Burnley did get down the other end and the lightest of de Goey’s fingertips stopped a Blake shot from going in. Although it was all Stoke Burnley’s defence were able to cope, those they didn’t clear into touch or for a corner they made sure were struck from outside the area. It was obvious to the fans they were looking to counter as a quick move down the right and a superb pinpoint ball from Proudlock saw Blake go one on one, his shot hammering back off the bar and cleared for a corner. Robinson brought on Yates and Lynch for Hyde and Moore respectively, Yates gave that extra sturdiness in midfield and the game went into a lull for 15 minutes. Lennon was brought on for Proudlock who had picked up a knock. The whole of the second half was a case of all Stoke with Burnley counter attacks. It was Burnley though who cam closest to scoring again. In the end they managed to notch up that elusive victory, the relief around the ground was audible. Although he didn’t show it Robinson was the most relieved person in the ground.

Burnley 2 v 0 Stoke

Goals: Burnley: Grant 21, Blake 33

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Grant, Lennon - Stoke: Neal, Pavlin

MoM: Valois
Att: 13,889
Ref: Keith Hill