The Clarets were in total control and looked to be cruising at 2-0 up against Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday. The Hornets though certainly had a sting in their tail coming back strongly to win 3-2 with all three of their goals scored over a 20 minute spell in the second half.
It was in the end a miserable day for the Clarets after such a promising start. The only good note to come out of the game was the fact that Rodriguez scored the first goal to notch up his 20th goal of the season; the first player to become a ’20-goal-a-season player` for Burnley since Robbie Blake in 2003/4.
The defeat against the Hornets has had a devastating effect on our promotion hopes with most Clarets fans accepting that our season is now all but over. Our third defeat in a row has effectively (barring a miracle) scuppered our chances of reaching the play offs. We drop to 12th spot and remain on 47 points, now eight points behind 6th placed club, Birmingham who also have a game in hand.
The miracle would involve the Clarets going on a consistent run, virtually winning all their remaining 12 games whilst also hoping that Portsmouth will be unable to complete their season. All the points gained by clubs against Portsmouth would then be wiped out and since Burnley have only played Pompey once this season so far and lost, they could steal a march on some of the other clubs above them. Whichever way you look at it, it is a mountain to climb with mid-table mediocrity now looking a virtual certainty.
The Line-Up
The only serious doubt ahead of the game was Chris McCann who picked up a hamstring injury in the previous game at home to Millwall. It looked touch and go all week, and there was clearly a bit of kidology going on in an effort to thwart and confuse Hornets gaffer, Sean Dyche`s team plans.
In the end though our captain was fit to play and led his team onto the pitch.
In the end then it was a familiar sixteen, one widely regarded as our strongest possible line-up, namely:
Grant , Trippier , Duff, Edgar , Mee , Wallace , McCann , Marney , McQuoid , Rodriguez , Austin
Substitutes: Jensen, Easton, Bartley, Ings, Paterson
Full Match Report
There are always problems with the Vicarage Road pitch. The football club do after all also share the pitch with the Saracens Rugby club and boy does it show! The conditions were also made worse by the blustery winds but I suppose you could argue it`s the same for both teams. Either way, the ‘cabbage patch` pitch is not conducive to playing attractive football and for long periods of this game that was self-evident with both teams failing to control their passing game. The home team though, would you expect have the advantage since they are playing on this awful bumpy pitch every other week. Watford were certainly the quickest out of the blocks and during their early pressure forced four corners.
A mistake by Ben Mee in these early stages almost gifted the Hornets a goal. A weakly headed back pass to Grant was nearly pounced on by Troy Deeney but Grant was alert to the danger and managed to get in a block to save the day.
Wallace had a few decent efforts shortly after but the game generally deteriorated into a poor quality scrap as both sides struggled to take advantage with the conditions clearly beginning to take effect. Watford had a few limited chances to open the scoring but the Burnley defence never really looked in any danger. Ben Mee, making amends for his earlier error got in an excellent clearance, heading the ball away at the back post just as Prince Buaben was about to pounce. Eight minutes before the break, Grant pulled off a superb save after managing to tip the ball at full stretch over the bar following a deflected shot by Buaben.
Burnley too had their moments with Wallace in particularly lively down the flank getting in a number of crosses to test on loan Manchester United keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak. The keeper though passed the tests and mopped up any danger including an early headed attempt by Edgar. Wallace also got in a drive with the ball finishing up on the roof of the net as the Clarets looked for the breakthrough.
The first half looked like it would end goalless until Rodriguez pounced to put the Clarets ahead in the 41st minute. Ironically, Watford too had looked the most likely to score in these closing stages of the first half. A weak back header though by Mariappa let in Jay Rodriguez, who chesting the ball down charged into the penalty area before drilling a low shot past Kuszczak into the back of the net to reach the 20 goal milestone for the season. With the home crowd now getting frustrated and booing their team off at half-time, it began to look rosy for the Clarets. Burnley had definitely been the better team in the first half with Grant really only having one save to make.
There was however bad news for the start of the second half with Michael Duff not coming out on the pitch after picking up an injury. The club have not yet announced what the problem was but the forced changes Howe had to make to our back four would have devastating consequences in the end. Substitute, Brian Easton started the second half in the left back slot with Ben Mee taking over Duff`s position in the centre of defence.
Just five minutes into the second half, Burnley doubled their lead. A cross by Wallace was met by Mee before Nosworthy headed into the back of the Watford net to record an own goal. Burnley now looked to be comfortable with a 9th away win of the season looking on the cards! Little did we know though that we were about to crumble.
The rot set in when Watford got a goal back just five minutes after the Clarets had notched up a two goal advantage. The weather conditions had changed again with driving rain now affecting play but it didn`t stop Nosworthy making amends by now scoring at the right end to make it 1-2.
Grant has just tipped the ball over the bar from a corner but now it was time for Sean Murray to put another one over from the opposite flank. This time, Nosworthy got up to powerfully head the ball down with the ball flying up into the roof of the net.
That was just the incentive, the Hornets needed and Burnley from that moment onwards seemed to fold much to the despair of the 989 Clarets fans who had made the journey down.
It was clear that Watford with their tails up, could now sense the weakness in our defence with Easton in particular lacking confidence and looking jittery. Our back four now looked uncertain and they were clearly missing the experienced, solid Michael Duff. Burnley were now defending deep with Watford piling on the pressure and looking the most likely to score next.
It was nearly 2-2 soon after the Hornets goal. Nosworthy again got up for a set-piece this time getting in a low drilled shot before Mee in front of Grant came to the rescue and blocked the attempt.
Burnley were now weathering the storm, even though the weather had actually improved with bright sunshine now being the order of the day! We were certainly under the cosh but we seemed to be soaking up the pressure and getting some chances at the other end. Wallace was just a few inches away from scoring from a free-kick before the inevitable happened and we conceded at the other end following a Watford equaliser in the 72nd minute.
A Doyley throw in was neatly flicked on by Garner before the impressive-looking substitute, Alex Kacaniklic looking assured on the ball got in a low shot which flew past Grant into the far corner of the net.
Watford had now done to Burnley what the Clarets had done to the Hornets in the reverse fixture played at Turf Moor on the opening day of the season. Watford that day had enjoyed a 2-0 lead before Burnley came back to earn a point in a 2-2 draw. Was history about to repeat itself and would Burnley hold on to record their first away draw since the game against Cardiff back in February last season? Sadly the answer was ‘no` on both counts!
Burnley clearly now demoralised had no answer to Watford`s attacking intent and three minutes after equalising the Hornets got their noses in front.
Once more it was poor defending this time from a corner. Deeney pounced in the six yards box to slot home after the ball had initially been blocked on the line following an attempt by Garner. Disasterville for the Clarets who really only had themselves to blame for losing a 2-0 lead!
The Clarets now tried desperately to get something from the game but their only real chance came when Rodriguez forced the Watford keeper into a save. His fierce drive was turned round the post and even five minutes of added time was not enough for Burnley to get back on equal terms.
The final whistle left Clarets fans devastated wondering how Burnley could possibly have gifted this game to the Hornets. There was now a dawning realisation, that barring a miracle, our season was clearly over. If I was writing an end of school report for the Clarets at the moment it would read ‘Average, must do better` and it looks like that improvement will now have to happen in 2012-13 to stand any chance of promotion.
The Post-Match Eddie-Torial
Burnley manager Eddie Howe said after the defeat:
‘How we lost that game, I really don’t know. At 2-0 the game’s over. We’ve played excellently, executed our game plan perfectly but once we conceded the first goal we just rocked.
‘We looked unsteady, unsure of ourselves and set plays we didn’t our jobs in the second half and it’s a tough one to take. We shouldn’t have even got near to losing that game.
‘We have to learn from this big time, we’ve got to really step up to the plate and show a little bit more leadership during games.
‘We are a young side but that’s no excuse. There’s enough people out there who’ve played enough games to react better to setbacks.’
Match Stats
Watford: Kuszczak, Hodson, Mariappa, Doyley, Nosworthy, Eustace, Buaben (Kacaniklic 46), Murray (Bennett 89), Hogg, Deeney, Garner
Subs Not Used: Loach, Iwelumo, Trotta
Goals: Nosworthy 54, Kacaniklic 72, Deeney 75
Booked: Yellow card for Deeney
Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff (Easton 46), Edgar, Mee, McCann, Wallace, Marney, McQuoid (Ings 82), Rodriguez, Austin (Paterson 68)
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Bartley
Goals: Rodriguez 41, Nosworthy (og) 50
Booked: Yellow card for Wallace
Possession: 50% Watford, 50% Burnley (Source: BBC Sport)
Ref: Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire)
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I am not convinced this squad, bearing in mind we will almost inevitably lose some key players in the summer, will be any better next season without a significant investment in rebuiliding the squad. Learn the lessons from this season! We need cover at right back, we need cover in central midfield, we need to sort out the defence when Duff is missing, we need more experience in the side, we need a captain who can lift his players and avoid the type of collapse we witnessed against Watford and above all we need a Board with ambition rather than one that spends money on sticking plaster!
TMP I couldnt agree more
Phil spot on. To have so few quality options for the manager to pick is a big worry. The defence as we know lacks numbers and quality, trouble is you can say that for most aspects of this squad. I think we have now reached the level this team is capable of in respect of our league position. I worry about the rebuilding job in summer and who we will loose and whether Eddie will have the funding to achieve a team that can move to the next level.
Who are the Key players leaving in the summer Phil I can only think of one.
Do we have more than one key player?
Rodriquez as MoM? You can’t have seen the game I did yesterday. Bar his goal, which was gifted to him just before half-time, he did sod all and once we conceded a couple of goals it appeared that he didn’t want to get involved. A bit like Chris McCann who once again was found wanting when things got tough.
ffs promote a couple of hungry youngsters to the bench or better still play them. I would love to see players given a chance to learn and gain experience for next season. The sooner McCann hands in the arm band the better and as RT says and I agree that Jay may not always be the best thing since sliced bread, 14 league goals of which some were penalties? So how many league goals has he got if you take the pens away?
13 I think the answer is lol!!!! 13 in 34 League games. He scored 4 in one game in the Carling Cup against lowly opposition. I like the lad but believe I am being realistic and would happily accept £10 Million for him or indeed anything above 7.
The season is done – VR you may well be right about giving some of the younger lads a chance to shine ( If they are close to being ready). It may also be worth giving Hines a chance – lets see if he has what it takes.
In terms of key players, I’m not sure there’d be a huge amount of interest in anyone other than Rodriguez (possibly Trippier but he’s committed for a while yet).
I think £6 or £7m for Jay would at least enable us to strengthen the team, without selling him its hard to see where the money would come from. Unless I’m missing something we haven’t got much spare money within the club, so we need to generate some.
The lack of form in our attacking options other than Jay Rod is a real concern though. At the moment we’re relying on him a bit like Arsenal do with van Persie.
When’s Marney’s contract up ? I presume he’d be a high wage earner given that Brian gave him the deal and it looked as though his agent was trying to move him on at the last transfer window.
Never thought I’d say it, but it would be a blow if he left at the end of the season.
The word on the street is Rodriguez, Trippier and McCann although the latter may no longer be considered a key player by some! Not only that of course but we have about seven players out of contract in the summer. True some may be better off leaving the club, but we still need to find better replacements unless we are going to weaken the depth in the squad even more. I am afraid its a downward spiral from the heights of the Coyle promotion as many predicted. Strenghening the squad by selling a key player? Yes OK we said that about Mears and Eagles, before that Fletcher. Where are we now? FAR worse off!!
Who would you have rated MoM RT? No really good candidates, based my choice eventually on what I heard on Clarets Player plus ratings on other forums
If only we had some kind of help from the FA regarding funds after we got relegated from the premiership. Some kind of ‘parachute payment’ which would be given to us every year for four years… With that kind of income aswell as losing a lot of high earners and ticket sales we could be competitive and think about strengthening the squad. If only…
Stop it YC! You are gettiing a better cynic than I am now!! lol ;-). It certainly is a moot point though. Just imagine where we would be without parachute payments, In other words what will happen in two seasons time if we are still in the Championship, still pleading poverty with no more money coming in?
I think EH has done a remarkable job given the resources he has had available. A bit of luck and we could have still been realistic challengers for a play off place. So next season it has to be. If EH can continue improving the squad it could happen but, and it is a very big but, it is going to be more difficult to get the quality of player he needs at the price the Board is willing to pay. Any money coming in from transfers is realistically only going to be of any significance from the sale of Jay Rod. I am finding it difficult to believe the Board will release enough of it to buy the quality we need and feel that any improvement is going to rely on EH’s ability to find young talent. To that end I would be happy to see some of our youngsters given a chance to display their talents, although we would have to accept that results may well suffer.
Just bringing some sarcasm into the conversation haha. I’d rather we lose one player like Jay also than a few other minor but still first team players. I agree with you Cornwall we should be looking to our youth squad next year and see if they can make the step up. Players like Lafferty, Hewitt, Long and others should be looking for more involvement next year and judging by our youth cup involvement the future is bright the future is claret! I wish we had the same amount of subs as last year because that would also help give some youngsters a chance.
If you’d asked me at half-time TMP I’d probably have said Michael Duff but, over the ninety, it is rather difficult to choose. By process of elimination I’ll plump for Trippier.
I do think its a misnomer to think Burnley haven’t been paying competitive wages to players, of course not at the West Ham / Leicester level, but I dare say well around the market value for other teams in the promotion hunt.
From the figures I have seen quoted, we paid more than Blackpool did and also more than Swansea in their promotion season.
Our PL wage ceiling was 50% higher than Blackpools!
The problem is our players haven’t performed well enough since relegation from the PL.
We let two players too many go in the summer in my view – but it was more the way it happened which made a good start to the season almost impossible, we’ve never really recovered from that and I agree that the Board need to look at that and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
I think Eddie has been let down badly by Treacy and there has to be a question mark over the Hines (and Stanislas?) signings.
That said, all of our recent managers have made a few transfer gaffes, the problem Howe had is that he had to make his signings after pre-season.
For all the talk of lack of ambition, we were on the contrary, over ambitious in our pursuit of the Premier League. We were fortunate that we made it otherwise we could be in dire straits now. I think Kilby and Co are aware of that and they probably realise that the likelihood of pulling it off a second time is highly unlikely.
When Tony Livesey asked Barry Kilby what his biggest achievement was as Burnley Chairman, he didn’t say it was reaching the Premier League, he said it was establishing Burnley as a Championship club. That will never be enough for many, but being firmly ensconced in mid-table I think is pretty acceptable given the doomsday scenario many were predicting a few months ago. UTC.
As always CC – You talk an awful lot of sense!
Almost everybody has been stating, or at least implying, that our play-off hopes are over. As difficult as it looks based on our position, I just wanted to state a few of my own opinions. 75 points is believed to be the figure that almost guarantees a top six spot. To achieve this we would effectively need to win 9 of our remaining twelve games (putting us on 74 which should be enough). As difficult as it sounds based on the fact that we have the likes of West Ham and Birmingham still to play, I still think its possible. We went on a run of 8 wins in 13 I believe, which was a really good run of form, now we need to better both aspects by one with 9 wins in 12. I believe in Eddie Howe’s managerial skills and Im sure he can sort the team out and turn things around. As long as we do not have any injuries to key players such as Rodriguez, Trippier or Duff I think we can do it. Even if we got six wins in our next nine I would be happy with at least a chance going into the last three fixtures. I know all of us Clarets fans like to be pessimistic, so I thought I would just add a bit of optimism to the conversation. Its not over, till its over.