Farewell Jon Harley

People support their football clubs in good times and bad times. Throughout those times people inevitably adopt their ‘favourite’ players. Jon Harley was certainly a Burnley player I was fond of.

It emerged yesterday afternoon that chants of “Jon ‘arley, JON ‘ARLEY, Jon ‘arley” would no longer be heard from the Longside. Owen Coyle and the Burnley left back were unable to agree terms on a new deal.

The thing that endeared me most to Jon Harley was his cheeky cockney attitude and the way he always seemed to be smiling and enjoying his football. Add this to what I would describe as an impressive season for the Clarets, and you are bound to have a player who most fans appreciate.

Naturally, due to those reasons, I was sad to see Jon leaving the club. Truth be told however, I was not all that surprised. Members of the Clarets Mad message board have pointed out that Harley’s form this season was not his form last season, when many people pinpointed left back as a problem area. Neither in the last month has Jon Harley been at his best.

Jon Harley will certainly be missed by many fans, but he is very much replaceable. I think that Owen Coyle knows this.

In addition to Harley not agreeing a new deal, John Spicer and Garreth O'Connor have been released from the club. Gabor Kiraly has also been made available for a transfer.

Picture taken from burnleyfootballclub.com

Turf Moor season comes to an entertaining finish

Many may have been forgiven for expecting a boring, nothing to play for game between the Clarets and Cardiff City on Saturday. However, the 10,700 that filled Turf Moor certainly got entertainment for their money.

The game itself produced six goals, and Burnley twice squandered leads. Alexander and Cole had put the Clarets 2-0 up. The Bluebirds bounced back to 2-2, before Clarke Carlisle looked to have won it. It wasn't to be though and Burnley were forced to end their home campaign with, probably a fair, 3-3 draw.

The entertainment levels soared when Darren Purse took a chunk out of Andrew Cole's leg with a high challenge. Purse left the field to amusing chants of 'you're not going to Wembley', and he was swiftly followed by Cole who in turn was pursued by two Cardiff players, two Burnley players and the Lancashire police! Owen Coyle summed it up perfectly as a scene from a Benny Hill show!

It was certainly surreal to watch, and unlike anything I have ever seen in thirteen years as a Claret! To have been a fly on the wall in that tunnel...

Andrew Cole was not happy with the challenge or Dave Jones' comments about his role in the red card:

“Nothing happened in the tunnel unfortunately, but I did go after him (Purse). I am not going to fib about it,” said Cole.

“He is a muppet. He cannot even play anyway. I am furious about it. It is one of the worst tackles I have had in my career on me. I am disgusted he said I went over the ball. Just look at my leg.”

Cole also blasted Jones after the City boss said he thought Purse’s red card was harsh and that Cole needed to ‘take a look at himself’ following the way he reacted to the incident.

“I cannot believe Dave Jones said that about it,” fumed Cole.

“I have been a professional player with a career over 18 years. I don’t need to have a look at myself, Dave Jones needs to go and have a look at himself. I cannot believe it really.”

Cole revealed he was planning to consider his future in the game at the end of the season, but believed he had been left with a score to settle.

Cole ranted: “I adore playing football so I don’t know about retirement, but if I play only two games next season I hope it is home and away to Cardiff.”

Watch the Darren Purse challenge on Andrew Cole below...

The usual crowd flowed onto the pitch at the final whistle, and it was hard not to laugh at the stewards trying to stop them getting on to the pitch, largely unsuccessfully.

So that is that, the curtain has closed on another season at Turf Moor. Looking back it has to be said that the season has not been as bad as one might think. Yes, we did fall out of contention for a play-off place, but try not to forget that we will have our best league finish in six years.

Now is time to look forward to a summer of strengthening and hopefully another promotion push next season. Let's get Palace out the way and look forward to August.

Up the Clarets!

(Picture taken from http://www.burnleyfc.com/ of Andrew Cole's injury)

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.