Clarets Player commentator Phil Bird is back with his weekly look at all things claret and blue and beyond.
Write Us Off at Your Peril:
Result wise, only a point against Derby was disappointing. Considering the opposition came with a defensive frame of mind I thought we played well in difficult conditions and we were unfortunate not to take all three points.
It's a measure of how far we have come that we are disappointed that we haven't beaten an in-form side at home.
I thought Premier League referee Lee Probert was too lenient with Derby's time wasting. The Rams were intent on winding the clock down as early as the first 15 minutes.
In these circumstances the referee needs to be strong from the onset, hurry players along and caution if the offenders persist.
It could have been all three
To only add four minutes at the end of the game was absurd and didn't compensate for the amount of time Jamie Ward and Frank Fielding took taking corners, free-kicks and goal kicks.
We have a free weekend ahead of our important trip to Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day. Clarets fans are particularly nervous at this time of year.
I for one will be relieved when we get to 11pm on 31 January. It's imperative we keep the squad intact at this critical time. We are in the promotion mix. This could be our year again!
No Go Boas:
I was seriously miffed with Andre Villas-Boas' idea that top Premier League sides should be able to enter B sides in the Championship.
Not here mate!
Thankfully the Football League stepped in and quashed the suggestion. It's a complete non-starter and an insult to all the clubs that have worked hard to achieve their place in the pyramid. This isn't Spain! The Championship is an ultra competitive league and will remain such.
However, we do need to look at the format of our reserve leagues. We've gone and played Wolves behind closed doors this week, as part of a planned number of such games. However, I can't understand why we can't play some Premier League clubs at reserve level on a more formal basis?
Here's the link to all those behind closed doors games played this season.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/DevelopmentSquad/0,,10413~2548313,00.html
Good Luck Coley:
In many ways it was sad to see John Coleman and Jimmy Bell leave Accrington Stanley. Their achievement of taking Stanley back into the Football League was one of the fairytale stories of the last few years. They deserve a chance at a bigger club with more resources.
Tough act to follow: John Coleman
We helped Stanley in 2009 when they were struggling to meet debts and that strengthened links between the clubs. Coleman had been at the Crown Ground for 13 seasons and was the third longest serving manager in the game.
He will be a difficult act to follow. But it may be an opportunity for two former Clarets - Graham Alexander or Paul Cook.
Quote of the Week:
The Emirates faithful (and possibly Robin Van Persie too) weren't happy when Arsene Wenger subbed teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Russian bad boy Andrey Arshavin.
Who, me?
"I've been a manager for 30 years and have made 50,000 substitutions. I don't have to justify every one."
Tetchy, very tetchy!
Colemanballs:
Chris Coleman obviously had a busy week with his appointment as the new Welsh manager. It led to a faux pas or two during the exciting Man City/Tottenham game.
On SKY he struggled with one or two of the City side. It seems Julian Lescott, David da Silva and Mario Bowlatelly were all involved! Comeback Mr Wilkins all is forgiven!
The views expressed in their article are those of the author and not necessarily Burnley FC.
