Not so much a match report as views on the season - and prospects for next season - because, as even Stan has had to admit, the season is over. No chance of the play-offs, and little danger of relegation, it promises to be a more relaxed final few games than we have enjoyed for several years. What we wouldn’t have given for that after five games of the season, when we only had one point and the prospect of relegation loomed large.
So, overall it’s been a good season. Safely in the 1st Division, and two good Cup runs that have brought in greatly needed cash after the much-vaunted collapse of ITV Digital. Anybody who wouldn’t have settled for that at the start of the season was living in cloud cuckoo land, or at least had Stan’s "champagne tastes", because the Clarets were always going to be hit hard by the loss of over 20% of their income.
The reduction of the playing staff has resulted not only in the limiting of Stan’s options, but also seemingly the playing of out of form or not fully fit players. Defensively at times we have been at sixes and sevens (well, at least fives and sixes), and the centre of the defence has been a revolving door of partnerships. Branchy has probably been our best and most consistent defender over the season, and only the relatively recent arrival of Driss and his almost impeccable performances could give him any sort of challenge for that honour. Not much of an honour when you look at the "goals against" column, though.
West, still looking good going forward, has been desperately disappointing defensively. In some cases, especially in the 4-3-3 formation, he has been left criminally exposed, but too often he has been beaten too easily or dropped too deep and played attackers onside.
Davis has been injured for much of the season, and made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes such as the Bradford equaliser in the corresponding game. Had those lapses been made by certain other players, they would have been castigated. A talismanic figure he may have been, but would it be blasphemous to suggest that his return in the game against Watford was too soon and actually cost us the draw and a replay? Stan doesn’t often let his heart rule his head, so he must have felt that Davis was ready - but he does have his favourites.
Cox is another one to have suffered a number of injuries, and his form has been widely variable. He was excellent in the spell alongside Driss leading up to the Watford game, but both before and after that put in some shocking performances.
I’ve always thought that McGregor has looked a competent player when he has played, but he is always the first dropped and still hasn’t had a decent run in the side. As a younger player (24?) I’d hate to see him leave, but I’m not sure how long he would be willing to put up with the lack of first team action.
As for King Arthur, the crown has slipped. He has gone from a young, headstrong player with lots of potential to someone needing a kick up his very ample backside. His head goes down far too easily, and he looks at everybody else for someone to blame when things go wrong. Possibly he is beginning to believe that he is a lot better than he actually is. He could still be very good, but some regrouping is needed.
Many supporters believe that the reason we have conceded so many goals is not because of the defence, but because of the lack of midfield cover. Cooky has always given his best, but lacks pace, and despite his best efforts has never been a great tackler. Weller is another to have suffered from injuries, but especially recently his performances have been very lacklustre. Also his lack of goals is disappointing, as he often gets forward and into good positions but is usually reluctant to shoot.
Another player with a lack of goals is Tony Grant. Extremely disappointing in the early part of the season, I feel his game has improved dramatically since the turn of the year. He can pass, has skill on the ball, and can even tackle occasionally - so is his only problem a lack of application at times?
Brisser is a good athlete who always gives of his best. Not the quickest or most skilful of players, he is fairly consistent, and when fit is almost guaranteed a place on Stan’s teamsheet. Which makes him completely opposite to Alan Moore. A pacy, skilful player, who has failed to deliver far too often. Stan’s patience may wear thin with the injury-prone winger.
Blakey. What can be said of Super Glen? Occasionally frustrating, he is often taken for granted by Burnley fans. If you want to know how good he is, just ask any opposition fan. Player of the Season for me, and I still can’t understand why a Premiership side hasn’t taken a gamble on him. How Sunderland could have done with a player of his creative ability - and perhaps even Liverpool could have done with the width and wing-play he could provide.
Taylor has run Glen close for my Player of the Season, and will probably pick up most of the supporters clubs’ awards. In itself, this is a great turnaround for a player often slated in the past for perceived laziness; and so, having long been an advocate of his qualities, I’m quite pleased with this change of opinion.
Robbie Blake has summed up Burnley’s season. At times sublime, but also occasionally ridiculous. I like to see him play, as he is always likely to make something happen and works so well with Glen.
I’ve never been a great fan of Ian Moore, but his move out to the wing has revitalised his game and he also seems to score more goals from there. His lack of anticipation has often frustrated, and I’m still not sure he is the best option, but at the moment he is well worth his place in the team.
Papa has not featured regularly enough, as he always gets dropped after his Greek trips - and despite what anyone might say about giving the youngsters a chance, they are not good enough. I’ve watched the reserves quite a few times, and when you have Maylett, Earl Davis and Shandran on loan at Swansea, Southport and York respectively, it’s not exactly a conveyor belt of talent. Some of the younger players may have a chance, but it’s too early to tell yet.
That only leaves the goalkeepers, and whilst Marlon has had a great season he is suffering from a distinct lack of confidence and could do with a rest now. NTG is definitely second best, and will struggle to get his place back if Marlon stays.
And so, finally, onto the game – prospects for next season later. The Clarets lined up: Marlon; West, Davis, Diallo and Branch; Little, Weller, Cook and Briscoe; with Taylor and Moore I up front.
As seems to happen these days, the game started slowly with the crowd very quiet - apart from the few hundred noisy Bradford fans. Bradford passed the ball well, and seemed fairly sharp, without troubling Marlon.
The Clarets' play was laboured, leading to only a few half-chances and shots from distance. Bradford managed a free header but missed the target, and a couple of shots scuffed wide of the target. The play was scrappy, with neither side really gaining the upper hand - although Burnley managed a few corners at one point.
The referee and his assistant in front of the Bob Lord stand were already gaining attention for some indifferent decisions when they both missed a late tackle on Cook on the halfway line. Whilst he was receiving treatment, Bradford took the lead. A break down the Bradford right led to a deep cross to the back post. West seemed unaware of the Bradford player behind him, who looped the ball back over Beresford. Driss made a fantastic effort to cover, and after a desperate lunge headed the ball out.
My instinctive reaction was that the ball was already in, and a look across at the assistant confirmed it as he gave the goal. It was only thinking about it later that I realised he was a good two or three yards from the byline when he gave the goal, so he couldn’t possibly have been in line. In theory, if there was any doubt he shouldn’t have given the goal - but in practice...but more of this later.
In response, Burnley had a great move down the right which led to Taylor’s cross going behind the onrushing Briscoe. Branch then managed to injure Driss in a tackle, which led to him being substituted for Arthur, who then had a good header from a corner well saved by the Bradford keeper. Still didn’t stop them being booed off at half time.
Weller had a shocking first half in which he did very little, and what he did was poor. Failed to make tackles, passed poorly, and on the one occasion he got into a great position decided not to shoot. He was getting a lot of stick from the crowd, and was certainly playing way below his usual standard.
Grant had replaced Cook, and had improved things. He was one of the few players who looked really up for the game AND sharp as well. Several players were trying, but looked lethargic in their efforts and were often second to the ball. Taylor was winning his fair share of the ball, and Moore was running about and causing one or two problems, but the Bradford keeper was seriously underworked. Arthur, despite looking a bit heavier than when I last saw him, seemed to be doing OK. Apart, that is, from giving away a cast-iron penalty when he wrestled a Bradford player aside after being turned far too easily. Fortunately the inept referee and assistant gave nothing.
Things had to improve in the second half, and Blake immediately replaced Briscoe, who appeared to be struggling at the end of the first half. From the off it was all Burnley, and Bradford were pinned in their half and resorted to launching the ball out of play.
Little, Blake and West were linking well down the right. Branch had a couple of sorties down the left, and injured himself in a block tackle in one of them, but managed to limp through the remainder of the game. Surely, we would get a clear sight of goal soon?
It fell to Weller - only five yards out, but the ball bounced awkwardly and the contact he made was poor, and the shot easily saved. Little was next up, and a weaving run into the box from the left wing ended with a shot curling just wide.
The play was now exclusively in and around the Bradford box with one-twos aplenty, and Blake and Little twisting and turning the shell-shocked defenders. Little then got another opening, and his slightly deflected shot was pushed out by the keeper only for Moore to knock in the rebound. Cue the celebrations - but call me a pessimist, I glanced across at the assistant only to see him raising his flag. Bearing in mind I saw the ball go in, it strikes me as a very late flag. No Bradford player appealed, and Nicky Law, the manager, admitted he was shocked when it wasn’t given.
After that, the attacks were a little more frantic. The ball wouldn’t quite drop, and when it did, Grant opted to cross rather than shoot. Little was again the provider, with an exquisite chip to the far post. With Taylor and Davis both attacking the ball, it was a certain goal. Somehow the Bradford defender managed to get his head to the ball and deflect it off Davis for a goal kick.
So many Clarets were committed to attack that when Bradford broke they were looking dangerous. Davis was booked for a blatant foul when he was turned on the halfway line, and Arthur also entered the book, presumably for persistent foul play, as the offence seemed petty enough but he was getting very frustrated.
The referee was now being booed and cheered ironically for every challenge and decision. Wrestling matches and blatant trips were waved away, whilst the merest nudge resulted in a free kick. The players were often baffled as to which way the decision was going, but it seemed to invariably go against Burnley. It was as woeful a refereeing performance as the one at Gillingham - except that this one could well have cost the game.
Arthur’s frustration led to a lunge, which resulted in the inevitable second yellow card, and shortly afterwards the second goal (or was it the other way round)? It didn’t really matter by then. It was all over, and so was the season.
Had the goal been allowed, it could have been different. An inability to score whilst on top has cost us dear in recent games, but over the season we have not performed to our abilities and have been far too inconsistent.
As for the close season, Armstrong and Payton will certainly go. Cook, Earl Davis, Shandran and Maylett are possibly on their way. Marlon and Driss will probably be signed up, but Marlon ought to be careful - as his form lately has not been great, and prevaricating won’t endear him to Stan. What of the likes of McGregor, Arthur, Alan Moore and even Coxy? Or come to think of it, Papa and NTG? Most of them could be worried, and it’s possible that some of them could go if Stan can get someone better in, as that will leave room for manoeuvre within his squad.
What do we need? Top of the list should be a defensive midfield player. It’s been said many times that we haven’t replaced Kevin Ball, which is strange when you consider he was disliked by many when he first arrived. Lee Carsley, David Batty, Kevin Horlock? Probably too expensive. Perhaps we should be looking to take the better players from the second and third divisions, rather than cast-off Premiership players who will be big earners.
You could then look at an attacking left-sided player, a big centre-forward to challenge Taylor for a place, a centre-half, and possibly a left-back. The problem is that it’s more a case of who’s available that is suitable and better than our current options. Chances are we will only see a couple of new players in the summer, but even so, the squad of players we have should easily be good enough to maintain First Division status - and given freedom from injuries and a bit of good luck we could do well.
I see the main problem being dwindling home crowds, and talk of lack of ambition and a generally poor atmosphere. It’s the best team we have had in 30 years: surely that should be enough to cheer about?
Scorers: (Bradford) Jorgensen 18, Gray 89.
Attendance: 11,095.
Referee: C Webster (Shotley Bridge).
Cozzo's Man of the Match: Reading’s Glen Little.
We had joy, we had fun...