Clarets Player commentator Phil Bird returns with his weekly look at all things claret, blue and beyond.
Consistency is the Key:
I thought Saturday's defeat at Blackpool summed up our season in a single game. We have struggled for consistency throughout the season and our form was up and down during the derby game.
In the first half I thought we played really well. We dominated possession and should have led convincingly at the break, something that was even acknowledged by a very honest Ian Holloway after the game.
However, we were never the same in the second half and Gary Taylor-Fletcher's headed goal early in the half ended the game as a contest. After that the Tangerines were clearly the better side.
It's not unusual. How many times have we blown hot and cold in a game? It's indicative of many games this season. We have a young side and we have just lacked consistency at vital times.
However, a couple of things didn't go for us at Bloomfield Road. I didn't think it was a foul for Blackpool's first. And at 2-0, Ian Evatt, already on a yellow card, was fortunate to survive when he body-checked Dean Marney just outside the box.
Turning point
We mentioned an interesting stat on Clarets Player on Saturday. We gained 18 points from our first 17 games, then an incredible 25 from the next 11 before taking another 18 from the last 17. That purple patch allowed us to climb the table.
In amongst that great spell was the agonising defeat at Elland Road. Briefly, for a few minutes during the course of that game, we had sneaked into a play-off spot.
While I think our defending has improved - it's still only 28 goals conceded in our last 27 league matches - we have lost too many games to silly avoidable goals and at the end of the day 18 defeats in a season is too many if we are looking to finish in the top six.
Watching Blackpool we are bound to think 'it could have been us'. I would need some convincing their squad is better than ours. They have over-performed and Holloway has certainly done a splendid job.
I was equally impressed by the crowd at Bloomfield Road. Like us they have suffered relegation from the Premier League, but the atmosphere was very positive. Indeed Holloway raved about those vibes post-match.
Back the boys!
Perhaps our expectations are higher? Granted, they have a much better home record than us but maybe we now need to forget any negatives that followed our relegation.
Mistakes have been made, but in order to emulate the likes of Blackpool we need to get fully behind Eddie Howe and our young team.
Saturday against Bristol City is about showing everybody what we can do. It's been a season of ups and downs and we really need to finish on the up!
I'm convinced with three or four quality additions we can be amongst the best sides in the Championship next season.
Saturday is also Barry Kilby's last game as Chairman. It's been 13 fantastic, action-packed years.
Thanks Barry. Three points would be a great send-off.
Well Done Jay:
It was great to see Jay Rodriguez named in the PFA Championship team of the year.
Jay with Clarke Carlisle and dad Kiko
He has been in fantastic form all season and the award is fully deserved. It shows how highly he is rated by other players and managers.
It was also fantastic to see former Claret Graham Alexander pick up a special merit award. Shame that one or two journalists seem to have forgotten he played over 1,000 senior games! Surely, we made a big enough fuss at the time, didn't we?
….and now for the Bad News:
After one of the great European nights, step forward Geoff Shreeves to try and spoil Chelsea's party.
er Branislav, got some news for you.....
In one of those interviews immediately after the final whistle that television demands, the brazen Sky reporter broke the news to Branislav Ivanovic that his yellow card meant he would miss the final.
Naturally the Serbian looked a tad upset!
