We're so good it's unbelievable!

We're still reeling from our current form here after the QPR game. Igor manages to stammer out a few words to express his appreciation

By: Igor Wowk

WE'RE SO GOOD ITS UNBELIEVABLE

A very exciting tube journey from Epping to White City resulted in the very carefully planned arrival of the Suffolk/Cambridge Clarets at Loftus Road in time for us to soak up the pre match atmosphere. Steve Tatt. Informed me that there were 26 stops en route and who I am to argue with a Master of the Universe. I am half expecting a game on the new Sony Playstation Two to be based on this trip. I thought it was very considerate of London Transport to provide us with a free complimentary copy of the Sun's football and sporting preview, where it was explained to us provincials that we were going to be put in our place by that sleeping football giant, Queens Park Rangers. A reference I can only assume refers to the size of their overdraft. On arrival at the ground, with the gloomy wet weather and the nearby Springbok converted to the Park View Hotel for the day, one felt immediately at home. There was even the equivalent to the Park View chippy next door, although I can't imagine the owners of this exalted establishment trying to pass off what we were sold on the day as pies.

Steve has already given you an account of the game and there is very little to add to his description of the events. However due to my superiority in the age department, as Steve is still only a whippersnapper of a youth, I would venture forth the statement that this is undoubtedly the best Burnley side that we have had for the last twenty five years, based on this result & performance. I am still coming to the terms with this fact, but now I have seen my fourth game after a fairly long spell of abstinence, the improvement in nearly every aspect of the Clarets performance is evident even since the beginning of the season. With the possible exception of the 91/92 promotion side, this improvement factor has one that has been conspicuous by its absence, as we have become used to players and the side deteriorating, or alternatively going one step forward and two back for the vast majority of this 25 year period.

As for Saturday, the one area I am not really qualified to comment on is that of the goalkeeping situation as NTG had so little to do in this game it is impossible to give any sort of verdict. The closest QPR came to scoring was via a poor ball from Davis to NTG who attempted to retrieve the situation by impersonating Barthez and taking on the forward. This resulted in a miss-hit clearance straight to a hooped forward who failed to take sufficient advantage. A bit of a similar situation to the goal conceded at Colchester last season for those who saw this.

Of course it is important to get into context the quality of the opposition and QPR are down among the strugglers. They claim to have a long casualty list, including what they say would be their first choice back three and leading scorer Kiwomya. No doubt with a fully fit squad they might be a different proposition, but they hadn't lost at home so far and started off the game quite confidently. Gradually it became apparent (to me anyway) that unless the Clarets presented the opposition with an opportunity the outcome of the match would be decided by whether Burnley would score or not. QPR exerted very little meaningful pressure and I think it was about 30 minutes into the game before they got their first corner.

Furthermore the Clarets were looking particularly dangerous on the break with Branch looking very lively, although he was bettered in the air throughout the afternoon by Clarke Carlisle. Overall, the Clarets were physically stronger, quicker to the ball, confident when in possession and extracted themselves efficiently from any potentially dangerous situation. My only concern was that at that at half time we went in all square and that Rangers might come out with a different, more effective plan than lumping it up to 6' 7" Crouch. However for all their neatness, passing and possession QPR never looked remotely threatening. They didn't miss any sitters, as they never created a clear cut chance.

The goal arrived somewhat unexpectedly as I was trying to fathom out what Stan was doing having taken Branch off when he had looked like our most likely scorer. Even the goal itself was somewhat strange insofar as Mullin cut into the box from the inside right position and then headed for the bye line, and It looked as if the chance had gone as John had narrowed the angle. Somehow Mullin found the space in between Harper's legs and the ball zipped into the corner of the net. What a fine moment that was and all the better for being in the bosom of the London Clarets to share it.

At 1 - 0 Payton contrived to miss what for him must rank as an absolute sitter having latched on to a back pass, beaten the last defender and with only the goalie to beat blasted it more or less straight at the keeper, giving him the chance to make a save. In the past Andy would have passed it into the net. He was very upset with himself about missing this, however to their credit the crowd came straight in with an Andy Payton chant proving that we are also beginning to move up a grade as well.

Even at 1 - 0 QPR never looked like scoring in the last 20 minutes and really the only complaint one could have is that win wasn't more emphatic and the points wrapped up sooner. The word I would use to sum up the Clarets would be imperious.

The back three on this form look unbreachable and have now got a telepathic understanding. An additional facet is the way that the midfield pair and the wing backs integrate with them providing a blanket defence and at the same time a springboard to move forward. Without even playing particularly well, in the sense that everything they did came off, clearly the Clarets were just too good for the home side. In the past this may or may not have resulted in points, these days it seems this is inevitable. Most edifyingly, they look physically awesome. If two players clash its usually the opposition player who gets injured, I can't remember the Burnley trainer coming on, apart from when Carlisle deliberately whacked Mitchell Thomas, and got a booking. More often than not if itÆs a 50/50 ball the Burnley player gets their first. It can't be an enjoyable afternoon out playing against Burnley these days.

Ball and Briscoe look to be fully integrated into the team now and Ball in particular had an excellent match. The priority area is now up front although there is no great urgency to buy. So far we have scored 14 goals (?). With Mullin joining the list we have had 8 different scorers, so although Payton is clearly not on top of his game at the moment, others have filled in the gaps, and the rest of the machine is humming so well it's not critical.

Having said all this of the thirteen games played nine have been against sides struggling in the bottom half of the Division. If you look at the fixture list there are some particularly stiff tests in November and December. Nevertheless I would say at the moment we are looking at a comfortable mid table position rather than the bottom eight. Next season can be spent building up for a tilt at the Premiership, a process that may well get under way once safety is attained at this level.

Lastly a word for Stan Ternent. Stan has worked nothing short of a miracle at Turf Moor. It wasn't that long ago that a trip to London meant a nice day out in the capital and a long miserable journey back home, the most miserable occasion ever being the 4 - 0 lamping at Craven Cottage. However I think we can consign these memories to Trotsky's dustbin of history. They're gone, finished and we are now into a new era of enlightenment led by Barry Kilby at the helm and Stan down in the engine room, a combination that looks slicker than the Starship Enterprise. In the 21st century, at last we have the leadership that any successful organisation requires, we have the troops on the ground and together we will be going places in the not too very distant future.

They haven't got the swagger yet, this will come when they develop the deadliness in front of goal to apply the killer blow once they have the prey at their mercy. Once this is in place, we will have real lift off.

UTC

Igor

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