Play Offs, a real possiblity?

The last time I posted, I think that I and most Burnley fans were looking forward to three points at home to struggling Colchester United, but that was not to be. A deflected free kick sent Colchester back south with a point, and we were left hoping for something from the game at Loftus Road the following Tuesday.

What happened away at QPR is no secret, and was possibly the highlight of an exciting season so far, Andrew Cole’s hat-trick will go down in history, and people who were lucky enough to be there will have fond memories of the night for many a year to come.

A friendly in Ireland, an unfortunate defeat in Plymouth and three more home points against Chris Coleman’s Coventry City and we sit two points of the play-offs with just twelve games remaining.

Owen Coyle has talked about consistency, and although it is obvious, that is the key to finishing in the targeted top six position. Many teams will believe they are capable of a coveted play-off spot, but this season I’m genuinely beginning to believe that we could be that team that sneaks in there, under the radar.

The next five games are key; Watford, Hull, Stoke, Charlton and Wolves. These are teams in and around us, who believe that this could also be their year, so points in these games will be key. I believe if we can come out of these games with three wins, then the top six is well within our reach.

Alan Mahon and Michael Duff return for the reserves tonight, and all the press reports suggest that the players spirit and confidence is high, and that is going to be vital in the run in.

Whether we finish in the top six or not it is great to be going into the last quarter of the season, and still having something to play for. That, coupled with the free flowing football that Coyle has bought to the club, ensure that this will be a season to remember. Lets hope that three points are achieved against Watford at the weekend, and lets hope that this time next week we cant still all be dreaming about a play-off final at Wembley!

Burnley v Colchester United

Colchester United are the visitors to Turf Moor tomorrow, for what I hope will be another home win for the Clarets.

With two wins in our last two home games, it would appear that we have finally broken our home form hoodoo. And with Colchester struggling in the Championship, one would be forgiven for expecting three points tomorrow. Last week at West Brom was encouraging, yet the gulf in quality was clear for all to see. I’m certainly hoping that tomorrow, we will be able to show that gap in quality between us and Colchester.

Kyle Lafferty returns from his four game ban, following his appearance for Northern Ireland in midweek. The international is once again today subject to transfer talk from north of the border, with Rangers apparently lining up a £4 million summer bid.

Despite all this talk about Lafferty playing down the middle, I am in favour of him going straight in on the left. In both of our last two games it has been clear that we have lacked width on the left hand side, width that we had with Kyle in the side. Whether he was performing or not, the width was there.

Robbie Blake is not the answer for me. He doesn’t have the pace, and is far more effective for us in the middle; this was evident in the last 15 minutes against the Baggies.

Whatever Coyle goes for though, I’m sure will be productive. It is refreshing to be going in to tomorrow’s game not knowing what the line up will be. There are many questions to be answered come 3pm tomorrow, such as will Caldwell come back in? Who will start in the middle of the park, up front and on the left?

One thing is for sure though; it is nice to be left wondering for once! Roll on Colchester, roll on three points.

Gripped on the African Nations

I have never seen anything like it! What on earth went through Andre Bikey’s mind when he decided to sprint over and push over a member of the medical team attending to his team mate? It beggars belief.

To set the scene, Cameroon were 1-0 up against hosts Ghana in the dying moments of the African Cup of Nations semi-final. Bikey’s team-mate, former Liverpool player Rigobert Song, laid injured receiving attention. Out of nowhere, Bikey just sprang to life and pushed over one of the people attending to Song. The only possible comparison I can think of is Di Canio pushing over the referee in his Sheffield Wednesday days.

Bikey will now miss the final, and for what? Efan Ekoku who was commentating on the game, at first felt the red card was unjustified; he must have been judging that on Bikey’s reaction to his dismissal. Upon seeing red, Bikey slammed down his shirt in utter surprise and contempt at the referee’s decision. It’s certainly one of the strangest moments I’ve seen in football, and one that only Bikey will be able to explain.

Cameroon saw out the closing minutes of the match, and they will meet Egypt in the final on Sunday. Egypt beat favourites Ivory Coast 4-1, but it was something else which stood out for me in this match.

The gamesmanship from the Egyptian players was really frustrating. Not just because I had adopted the Ivorians and wanted to see them qualify, but because it made for a stop start game which was none too pleasing on the eye. The referee did little to help matters, every time a player hit the floor, the ref blew up. Some of the free kicks given were even given without any physical contact what so ever. The Egyptians continued to go down, roll around, and do whatever they could to delay time. It was worse than stuff you see in the Premier League, and did not help the flow of the game for the neutral.

To be fair though, Egypt did perform very well and thoroughly deserved their win against Ivory Coast who were not at the races. The Egyptians surprised me at times, and it is clear that they are a very good team. How often do you see the best TEAM win these national tournaments, and not the countries with their Drogbas, Essiens and Eto’os? Only time will tell, but I fancy the Egyptians on Sunday, here is to a good final.

Once a Claret, always a Claret

A friend of mine recently decided to stop supporting Derby in their fight against Premier League relegation. Over night he took up supporting West Ham.

This got me thinking, and what I thought was this was something I could never do. I don't know if this is me talking through claret tinted spectacles, but I believe that Burnley is a special club.

Every Burnley supporter I have met is as passionate as the last. Whether they rarely attend or never miss a game. Yet you meet Man Utd or Arsenal fans, and some of them seem as if they couldn't really care from one game to the next, yet they are happy to bask in the glory of their clubs.

There is something special about supporting Burnley, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Whether it's the constant anticipation and belief that we will once again enjoy the glory days we enjoyed in the 60's, or the fantastic away support we have for a town the size of Burnley.

Whatever it is, it is something special, and something I wouldn't swap for the world. I have my Dad to thank for something that will be with me forever. I am proud to say that once a claret, always a claret!

Over the coming weeks I will be adding more posts, so please keep checking by. Be it for match reports, opinion pieces or something completely different. Feel free to comment on my posts and vote on the polls.