Money Is Not Everything and That Is Truly Heart Warming — Notes for Burnley Friday, 25th Apr 2014 11:09 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums. "I'm sitting at my desk 3,000 miles from Turf Moor with tears rolling down my cheeks, hoping my old man is doing a jig in heaven. It's been a stunning achievement and I'm so proud of the boys", "I don't mind admitting I cried like a baby when that final whistle blew", "What a remarkable season." After losing 1-0 at home to Boro two weeks ago, the Clarets secured promotion last weekend thanks to an anxious 1-0 win at Blackpool on Good Friday and a 2-0 home win over Wigan on Monday, a victory which sparked scenes of euphoria both at Turf Moor and on Burnley forums. "We simply blew Wigan away. The fans were nervous but we showed the collective spirit and determination instilled by our glorious manager, and cemented our rightful place in history", "I will look back on yesterday with so much love for the team. It brings a tear to my eye thinking about it." "Our first Wigan goal was ‘Harlem Globetrotters' football, a one-touch wonder goal that seemed superb at the time and even better on reflection. In a season where this magnificent team has scored some fantastic goals, this may be the best of the lot." Sean Dyche"What Sean Dyche has achieved this season will never be repeated. He took a club that had lower expectations than Accrington Stanley and waltzed to automatic promotion without a care in the world, despite suffering injuries to our best players at crucial times. It's frankly mind blowing." Many Clarets were voicing their doubts about their boss this time last year. "I wouldn't have been concerned or disappointed if the manager had left last summer. Some horrendous end of season performances last year led me to believe that he didn't have a clue. How wrong can a person be? "Dyche has instilled an unquestionable belief among a team of players who will do anything for each other. It has been an amazing transformation. I feel privileged to have witnessed so many quality performances. I cannot wait for next season now absolutely convinced we have a genius in charge." "The first thing he did was sort out the goals against column while saying that wasn't the way he wanted to play. You simply cannot change everything immediately. It takes time", "I didn't see where he was taking us", "I had us mid-table until Charlie Austin left. Then I feared the worst." "Sean Dyche is comparable with Sir David Brailsford, modern, efficient and fitness based", "He has demolished the notion that the size of the budget makes a difference", "He has built a wonderful team, doing it against all the odds in the ‘right' way." No Room For Egos"I've never seen a team play for each other with such commitment week in, week out. It's been amazing", "The Wigan game summed up this team better than any other game. A team full of top flight experience and proven quality were swept aside with consummate ease. This was no fluke." "Dyche has formed a team which keeps its shape at all times. They all play for each other, have passion and commitment and play attractive football", "Everyone has played with passion and commitment. No egos out of place, an absolute pleasure to watch and long may it continue." "The team obviously make high demands from each other within the camp. Trippier got an absolute tongue lashing from the other three defenders when he just jogged back to block a James McClean cross." The 4-4-2 system played by the team is supported by a culture of unyielding high standards. "Our pairings all over the field have been like cogs in a bigger machine. We have Duff and Shackell at the back, Jones and Marney in the middle with Ings and Vokes up front. Out wide we have Trippier and Arfield, and Mee and Kightly. We are a team based on quality but hard-working partnerships." Defence"Dyche has said that you build from the back, and he has done exactly that", "Last season we were leaking over two goals a game. He has immediately tightened this up to less than one a game", "Dyche's impact on the defence was immediate and sustained without altering the back four." "Our players are drilled to be in the right place at the right time", "We can't half defend when necessary", "This is the best back five by a million miles in my time watching Burnley. They have been magnificent." "What a difference a year makes." Tom Heaton was being relegated with Bristol City this time last year. This season, the 28-year-old "is a superb keeper at this level", "He instils confidence in his back four and is incredibly vocal", "He organises the defence extremely well."
"I am confident that we won't throw the game away in the last five minutes with Heaton there. He catches crosses and shots without wafting at the ball or spilling it", "He commands his box well, and makes difficult saves look simple", "He's calm, commanding and has hardly put a foot or glove wrong." "I work with a Derby fan whose knowledge I rate. When we signed Jason Shackell, he rang to say we had signed the best centre-back in the country." The 30-year-old former Norwich defender "is the rock upon which this team is built", "He's rock solid, and reads the game so well." "Shackell is consistent, strong and confident, a complete defender and captain", "Everyone can see his passion. If there is a mistake, he's quick to get everyone organised", "He could have been more decisive and quicker with his distribution when we were chasing the game against Boro." "Michael Duff had been heading for the Death Star for three seasons, and then he suddenly has had a campaign like that. He's been fantastic." The 36-year-old club veteran "has been an integral part of two promotion teams, even more so this time around. He's a Clarets legend." The Northern Ireland international is "measured, understated and very self-assured, a bit like Dyche in many respects", "Even his distribution has improved", "Duff is Mr Dependable. He knows where Row Z is and sends the ball there when appropriate." "Chris Baird deserves a contract with us next season. He's seen it all before and would be a useful acquisition with his versatility." The ex-Reading defender joined the Clarets in March. "We've been as solid defensively with Baird, but it's glaring how much we missed Tripper going forward." Ben Mee"When we played at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe set his team up to put as many crosses as possible over to Ben Mee's side. All the pressure came down our left flank, but he stood proud and dealt with everything that was thrown at him. He has come of age."
The 24-year-old left-back and former Manchester City youth player "is an unsung hero, and is fast becoming a very cultured defender", "He's vastly under-rated. He does what it says on the tin, without fuss or complaint. The lad is as hard as nails and would walk into a brick wall for the cause." "Mee is steady at the back, but could contribute more in the final third when we are chasing the game", "I have been a huge critic of his distribution, but he has been fantastic in the last three months. He has lately moved up another level and is fantastically reliable." Kieran Trippier"Twenty years ago, Kieran would have been Manchester City's right-back and on the plane to Brazil. He's a prime example of why English-born players aren't given the time to develop with bigger clubs", "He's definitely England class", "He's a very exciting player to watch."
The 23-year-old right-back "has had more assists than anyone in the team", "He's a proper footballer with the skill to burst through. He has improved as a defensive player while also being our lead provider", "He is going to the top. One day we'll tell our children we saw Kieran play for Burnley." "Kieran loves his football and gives 110% in every game." A goal-line clearance against the Seasiders had Clarets singing his praises. "That header off the line is one of the moments of the season", "He did his job magnificently by coming off his post, while being alert to the shot coming back in." Central Midfield"The team defends from the front two and the midfield never stops running. In previous seasons, the back four had been left to hang out and dry." The industry and work-rate of David Jones and Dean Marney are praised as frequently as their passing, vision and movement in possession. "The time I started to believe was when we were in Ireland and there were rumours that David Jones had signed", "Jones is the most composed midfielder I have seen play for us. He can pick a pass, always offers an option and has a good delivery", "He's a great and consistent performer." "Someone at Wigan and Blackburn must be kicking themselves. Jones is assured, hardly ever loses possession and is perfect alongside Dean Marney." The 29-year-old former Wolves player "has great vision, great passing and never really has had a bad game this season". Dean Marney"I didn't think Marney had this season in him, but we've built a team to his strengths and got him a partner which works. He's been immense", "He drives the midfield forward and creates space. He's strong in the tackle and breaks up play for Jones to do the rest", "He's an absolute lion in midfield."
"His positioning is intelligent. He breaks up play and creates chances. His greatest strength is the range, selection and execution of his passes", "We missed Marney more than Charlie Austin last year. The team was worse when he wasn't playing." The 30-year-old former Hull player "is a natural enforcer. We need him to go in hard", "Yes, but he disappeared as an influence when he got himself needlessly booked against Blackpool. He was walking a tightrope in a scrappy game", "He's going to be a huge part of how we play next season." Wide Midfield"Middlesbrough were able to sit deep, and the absence of a threat down our left and poor deliveries down our right meant we weren't able to create so many decent chances", "Teams performing well against us this season have always stifled the danger we pose out wide." "Scott Arfield was a Falkirk and Huddersfield reserve going nowhere. We give him a chance and he has been the revelation of the season", "He epitomises our ethos of running down every ball and creating at every opportunity", "We've been blessed that he has landed in our lap." The 25-year-old "is technically excellent and has a great work rate", "He has a great eye for goal, is skilful, hard-working and never gives up", "Arfield has been outstanding, scoring some of our important season defining goals [including the late winner at Portman Road in October]." "Junior Stanislas and Keith Treacy are playing for new contracts next season", "I think the top flight could see Treacy's dazzling skills if he stays fit and stays upbeat", "Stan worries me in crunch games as he has no fighting qualities whatsoever." Both have appeared from the bench in recent games. Michael Kightly"Kightly has been outstanding in recent weeks", "He's been a workhorse all season, but in the last few weeks he's had moments of quality we all knew he could provide." The 28-year-old former Wolves winger "has been excellent all season but has been immense in the run in to the seasons end."
"He suits our style of play. His passion and commitment for a loan player this season has been exceptional. His skill and courage have driven us over the line in the last few games", "He has been our best attacking option recently, using his skill and pace to create chances and score goals." Kightly is on loan from Stoke. "I hope we sign him for next season", "I was critical of his final ball and he didn't use his assets to the best of his ability", "I understood why he was in the team as he presses very well, but he has added this extra attacking dimension. I really hope we'll sign him." Strikers"We really miss Sam Vokes. Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings are a little bit similar. Both prosper from a big striker laying the ball off and holding up play." The loss of the Wales international, described as "the linchpin of the team" and "the catalyst of everything good about us" is keenly felt. Ashley Barnes"Barnes is a good Championship player, and has shown that he can replace either of our forwards, a tall order when you consider that they are very different", "He's very hard working and being playing well recently. Ings and Barnes are not a natural pairing. There's a real lack of chemistry so far."
"The purchase of Barnes from Brighton in January was a season defining moment. His goals have ensured that we will go up", "He puts himself about and wins freekicks, but his decision making can be poor", "He was named Mr Marmite at Brighton. He always split opinions." "He's a confidence player. When he misses, his facial expression says it all, a bit like Vokes was last year", "He's only 24 and is doing a decent job", "I wish he wouldn't cheat. I don't like seeing Burnley players doing it and I wish someone would tell him to stop", "We're better than those antics." Danny Ings"Danny can score any type of goal, never gives up and always has a smile on his face. Charlie who?", "He has pace to burn, great trickery and does things nobody else even thinks about", "He's lethal, and causes panic in opponents defence", "He has scored shed loads of goals and is a great support player."
The 21-year-old "has had to play a different role than he's used to with Vokes. He's had to run the channels more and be the ‘out ball' which is held up. He's had to withdraw off Barnes, so it is harder to make his dangerous box runs", "He's missed a few chances, but is getting into positions to score." The former Bournemouth striker has come back from an ankle injury picked up in March. "He does not appear to be fully fit and at his sharpest, but is having to put in a full shift to get us over the line", "He had to be brought back too soon. He's not yet up to the 90 minutes." Clarets' Views on ITFC and the Game"Given his honesty and integrity, I think Dyche will play his strongest team for the last two games, with Ipswich and Reading being in and around the play-offs. We'd be annoyed if the boot was on the other foot." Most Clarets are predicting a 2-0 home victory and don't think they will ease up. "Hopefully we will pick up two more wins starting with Ipswich on Saturday. I can't wait to see the team take on the big boys next season", "Whether the team is able to display the same levels of commitment now that the stakes are lower remains to be seen." "I agree that team are professional, but as there is nothing to gain, no-one wants a serious injury at this stage. As per Leicester - a Brighton Burp", "I don't care. Our work is done for this season. Just get down to the Turf and have a party." One fan had an ulterior motive for his team losing. "I'd rather the players went on the lash for the next week and lost the Ipswich and Reading games if it meant Blackburn missed out on the play-offs." A number of Clarets saw their win at Portman Road in October as a huge milestone this season: "We achieved a lot of things we had previously found difficult. One of these was the win at Ipswich. Although it wasn't a great game, it was then that I started to believe that we could do something." WebsitesThe busiest Burnley forum is Eli's .
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