Burnley travel to Middlesbrough for Saturday's Premier League game against last season's Championship runners-up, no doubt in a much more relaxed frame of mind, following the Tuesday night victory over Stoke City.
What a difference three points make. After last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley supporters were left wondering if another point was ever going to come. But one tense, nerve-wracking win over Mark Hughes' Stoke City and the world seems a much brighter place if you happen to be a Clarets' fan.
In truth, Burnley probably didn’t play a whole lot better in defeating Stoke than they did when losing to Spurs. Crucially however, they were able to find the one moment of genuine quality football which ultimately settled the match.
Robbie Brady’s intelligent pass, Jeff Hendrick’s jinking run and precise square pass found George Boyd isolated and on hand to apply a clever left foot finish. A goal well worthy of deciding a thoroughly scrappy game and earning the Clarets three points of enormous value.
It is the lot of a footballer and a football manager to take criticism on the chin from fans when things don’t go to plan, and Burnley fans have not been slow to vent their frustrations during an unproductive February and March.
And whilst I would be first to defend those fans’ right to complain, the fact remains that this is the best squad of players with the best manager Burnley have had since decimal currency was introduced and Red Rum first won the Grand National.
Clarets' fans should count their blessings, be mindful of where "Little Old Burnley" currently sit in the English Premier League and perhaps be appropriately grateful for that.
Sean Dyche is keen to point out it would be wrong to assume that the job is now done. A few more points are still required to confirm safety from the threat of relegation for the team from Turf Moor.
The resolute Burnley back four of Matty Lowton, Michael Keane, Ben Mee and Stephen Ward, well marshalled by Burnley skipper Tom Heaton will be ready for the challenge as Burnley visit a beleaguered Middlesbrough who lost 4-2 to a revitalised Hull City midweek.
The home team now find themselves in quite desperate straits and have a group of players who will be anticipating confronting a Burnley team if not “on the beach,” then one that is getting the suitcases down from the top of the wardrobe and already purchasing the Sun Factor 15.
Such notions and lotions must be dispelled. There are twenty odd points yet to play for and the law of “many a slip” can still come into into play. Burnley fans may be breathing more easily, but Sean Dyche and his players cannot afford the luxury of end of season relaxation, at least not yet.
This current state of affairs update from Turf Moor, came from the pen of Clarets Mad regular contributor Dave Thornley. (TEC).
Source: DSG
