Tyrone the Magazine

At Gawthorpe Hall the atmosphere was a lot different to what it had been for a long time. It was clear to see a massive weight had been lifted off the shoulders of the players. They were smiling and messing around, finally having a good time. Not only was it a victory it was a hard fought and deserved victory. The usual crowd were at the training ground watching their beloved team train. Relief was etched across their faces, confidence was restored at Burnley. There were some players that weren’t totally happy, these were the players that hadn’t been given much chance to play. John took them into his office one by one and sorted the problems out. He didn’t want unhappy people spoiling the mood at the club, so Cooke and Nicolas’ loans were terminated. He hadn’t really played the pair and it wasn’t fair on them so they left the training ground and wouldn’t be seen at the club again. Also Graham Branch was brought into Robinson’s office, the games he had played in he was terrible. Robinson had already phoned around enquiring if anybody wanted to take Branch off their hands. In the end Rotherham offered £2k for the player, Branch left for Millmoor where he agreed a contract. That was money in the bank for the club and money off the wage bill.

Young Richard Chaplow was in action for England under 19s. He played outstandingly well and was a very promising player for the future. With the little bit of housekeeping out of the way Robinson sent his scouts out looking for some free talent. He wanted to get some young faces in to nurture for the future of Burnley football club. With all the business sorted he got down to planning for the visit of Millwall on Sunday. The London club had been faltering in the league and were lingering below Burnley. It was their exploits in Europe that meant the game was scheduled for Sunday.

Tyrone the Magazine

Sunday – 24/10/04, Championship game 13

Burnley v Millwall
@Turf Moor

Why change a wining formula was what Robinson thought to himself when he chose his team and tactics for the visit of Millwall. He stuck with the same formation and the only change in personnel was Yates starting, in for Grant. Even the weather was good enough to stay the same, so who knows perhaps they could win two on the trot. He sent them out full of gusto and followed them out actually enjoying this part for once. The opening exchanges of the game were all won by Burnley and all the chances fell their way. Valois floated in a perfect ball for Moore on the edge of the area. His shot was blocked by the keeper but the rebound fell to the feet of Blake who had a simple tap in. The first half carried on with Burnley dominating.

Robbie Blake was substituted for Lynch at half time after he picked up an injury just before the half time whistle. The second half was exactly the same as the first, dominated by Burnley. Somehow they conceded a goal in the most bizarre fashion. Sinclair decided to pass the ball back to Coyne despite there being no Millwall player near him. Coyne decided to stay on his line to stop it, but in Enckleman style he allowed the ball to run under his boot and into the net. Robinson couldn’t believe what he was seeing they needed to worry about the opponents not themselves. The game carried on as it had been but Millwall started to play a dangerous game of pushing high up the pitch and playing the offside trap. This was beautifully broken as Proudlock spotted a perfectly timed run by Chaplow. Proudlock passed him the ball and he rounded the keeper and restored Burnley’s lead. The relief on Sinclair’s and Coyne’s faces was clear to see. When the final whistle was blown Robinson was very happy.

Burnley 2 v 1 Millwall

Goals: Burnley: Blake 13, Chaplow 87 - Millwall: Sinclair og 62

Bookings: Burnley: Roche, Proudlock - Millwall: Ward

MoM: Valois
Att: 14,254
Ref: Gavin Hall

Tyrone the Magazine

Saturday - 30/10/04, Championship game 14

Gillingham v Burnley
@Priestfield

After the very close won game over Millwall everyone was very upbeat. Barry had sent John a message saying well done. It was clear that confidence was a major factor in wining this game. Robinson had brought in a few trialists to have a look over in the next week or so. The game against Gillingham was their first away game in a month and Robinson was interested to see if they could keep up the good run away from home. He stuck with the 4-4-2 formation but gave it a more defensive look. Grant came in for Hyde to partner Yates giving them a very solid midfield. McGreal came in for Roche who picked up an injury in training.

The game got off to a flying start and from the off Burnley surged forward. They were probing for a gap in the Gillingham defence but couldn’t find one. Gillingham won the ball back and countered down their right wing. A lovely one two with Pouton and Agyemang ended up with a lovely finish from Pouton. Sam in the stands couldn’t believe it, he thought they had slipped back to how they used to be giving away early goals. This would be a real test of their confidence, if they could turn this around then they were definitely heading in the right direction. When a ball from Proudlock was cleared as far as him again he teed up Yates to unleash a thunderous shot. The ball smashed off the post and settled at the feet of Blake who fired it past the keeper to pull Burnley level. The first half was controlled by the Gills but Burnley weren’t completely out of it.

After the half time team talk the second half carried on in much the same vain. The fact Burnley were still level was down to some unbelievable goalkeeping by Coyne. Robinson swapped Yates, Grant and Moore for Hyde, Chaplow and Lynch respectively. Giving them a more attacking outlook it created more chances which they just spurned. Fans started to pile out of Priestfield towards the dying minutes believing the game to be a stonewall draw. Some stopped in their tracks as Burnley surged forward one last time. Proudlock down the right gave it to Chaplow just inside him. He spotted the run of Lynch behind the defence and found him with a brilliant ball. Lynch had the opportunity to square it for a free Blake but decided to shoot. Groans were let out by the Burnley fans as the keeper got a hand to it, but the ball somehow slipped through and Blake pounced on it for the winner and they went mad. So did the bench this was a great result.

Gillingham 1 v 2 Burnley

Goals: Gillingham: Pouton 1 - Burnley: Blake 27, 91

MoM: Coyne
Att: 10,529
Ref: Clive Penton

Tyrone the Magazine

Tuesday – 02/11/04, Championship game 15

Burnley v Brighton
@Turf Moor

Burnley were on a roll, a good roll this time. They had won the last three after going 10 without a win. Confidence was high the players believed in themselves and the visit of Brighton was at the best possible time. Brighton were rock bottom of the league and the way Burnley were playing it was a sure three points, hopefully. Very little was changed for this game same formation and same tactics. Lennon had replace Valois who picked up an injury in training. Chaplow and Hyde came in for Yates and Grant to give Burnley an attacking feel.

Burnley ripped into Brighton from the off and had them on the back foot immediately. Brighton could only hold out for 18 minutes before the conceded. After a Burnley corner everyone stayed in the box as Lennon swung it into the area again. Moore was waiting at the back post and headed the ball across the face of goal and into the net. Five minutes later Proudlock doubled their lead after being put through by Hyde. Moore surely wrapped up the game as he made it three two minutes later. Just before the stroke of half time the game was won. Proudlock crossing the ball to the edge of the area, Lennon chipped the ball towards the far post and Chaplow stole in and headed home.

The second half could never live up to the first, all Robinson could do at half time was say same again. Burnley produced the same pressure and dominance but they couldn’t live up to the 4-0 mauling of the first half. It took only five minutes before the celebrating began again, Blake scoring after taking on the defenders. Moore sealed his hatrick after slotting the ball into the empty net from a parried Blake shot. Burnley embarrassed Brighton and delighted their crowd a month ago a scoreline like this would be nonsense talk. Today it was a reality and long may it continue.

Burnley 6 v 0 Brighton

Goals: Burnley: Moore 19, 27, 73, Proudlock 24, Blake 50, Chaplow 45

Bookings: Burnley: Chaplow - Brighton: Cullip

MoM: Moore
Att: 18,209
Ref: Mike Thorpe

Brian of Nazareth

nice win and welcome run of form there Tyrone :thup: good stuff Hope the strikers maintain their form.

Tyrone the Magazine

Thanks I'm surprised how easily the team has gone from the truely terrible to sublime. No doubt a run of defeats will soon come along.

Nadessico

nice story, pitty about it being burnley

u should know the dominant team in the north west is p.n.e

Tyrone the Magazine

Thanks

Tyrone the Magazine

Saturday - 06/11/04, Championship game 16

West Ham v Burnley
@Upton Park

It was a clash of the clarets day, Burnley had changed into their away strip and headed out onto the field. Seeing as they were in such good form Robinson changed nothing about the team or tactics. They were next to each other in the league Burnley now 14th thanks to their recent form. West Ham were behind them in 15th, Burnley had the better form going into the game. It was an even to and fro start to the game both sides having chances. With 20 minutes gone Robbie Blake finished off a wonderful move to put Burnley in the lead. However the lead didn’t last long it took just eight minutes and a fine strike by Hutchinson from the edge of the area to level things up. Burnley started to turn the screw and hammer down on the Hammers’ goal looking to regain the lead. They managed to take the lead a second time just before half time Moore heading home a corner. The second half was evenly contested without much happening. West Ham attacked looking for an equaliser and Burnley countered looking for a match winner. In the end, literally, West Ham got a late equaliser Zamora firing home a rebound from a free kick. As if that wasn’t enough to frustrate Robinson, Zamora scored an even later winner after a mazy run.

West Ham 3 v 2 Burnley

Goals: West Ham: Hutchinson 29, Zamora 88, 90 - Burnley: Blake 21, Moore 45

Bookings: West Ham: Hutchinson - Burnley: Sinclair

MoM: Bywater (West Ham)
Att: 24,945
Ref: Martin Atkinson

displaced_seagull

6-0

Other than that ( ), this is great :thup: