A televisual treat for the nation, North End are on the box again, for only the third time this season, there will be a spoiler alert both the other two games were goalless, one was a decent game the other against Bolton was dire. Tomorrow though there is something on the game, not for us but for those strange hill dwelling creatures from East Lancashire Burnley. Jeb, Ellie May, Gran and Jethro D Bodine will be there in mass in the Shankley Kop although rumour has it they have not sold all their tickets. After salvaging a point from their top of the table game with Middlesbrough on Tuesday , they will be looking to put pressure on Boro and Albion who play later in the weekend. Having seen them once live and a few times on the television they must be doing something right however they have not overly impressed they seemto be a side who can grind out results which seems to be what is happening. They splashed out the money on Andre Gray who has done the business for them up front, however think their best purchase is Barton, yes he is a marmite character but great at this level. Team wise doubts on Lindegaard and Vermijl both injured on Tuesday, having come from two down on Tuesday looks like this set of players does not want the season to end, won 2-0 at the Turf time to do the double and send them to the play offs.
By my calculation if Burnley beat QPR next week they will be promoted given that Boro and Brighton are guareenteed to drop points when they meet on the last day of the season. Their 1-0 win at Deepdale was deserved(sadly) in truth thye could have been out of sight by half time but some good defending and inability to hit the target stopped that from happening. Backed by 5500 the Clarets took an early lead from a deflected Barton free kick, within a minute Barton had collided with Pearson and the young North Enders interest in the game ended and yet again the home side had too reshuffle the pack with the dreadlocked (Johnson)one replacing him. Burnley had a simple tactic fire the ball long for the Duracell man Gray to chase after it. The Claret man headed narrowly wide from another Barton free kick, and had too effort blocked by home defenders. With Kirkland in the home goal looking non too convincing getting to half time 1 down looked to be a decent score. Getting towards the break North End started to get into the game, Beckford thought he should have had a penalty, personal view should have squared the ball to an unmarked team mate who might have scored. Bright start by North End before the Clarets went close twice Gary hitting the post and Boyd hitting the bar within a minute. Finally there was a clear chance for North End Johnson firing straight at Heaton. Woods went close with a deflected shot and Bekford should have done better with a header but in the main held firm with Keane looking an outstanding player. A late chance to Robinson was saved by Heaton but fair play to the Clarets deserved to win. A long hard season is starting to catch up with North End and to get to the next level money will have to be spent, really hard to be critical as they have achieved wonders this season and have done the club proud but maybe some need to move on. Over to you Uncle Trevor time to get that cheque book out. Finally Mr Friend praise were praise was due he handled the match at Turf Moor well last night he was awful, seem to remember the game being a contact sport, merest touch and a free kick mostly against us. Preston North End 0 Burnley 1 Att 17789 Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "It's how I want the team to play - that's almost an advert for it. I used the word clarity a lot and I thought that was on show. "We talk about automaticity and that's the ability to do it properly all the time. "We do it in training so when it's a game we can deliver and we're showing good signs." (I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT HE IS ON ABOUT) Preston North End boss Simon Grayson: "We've got honest lads who will give everything. When you look at Burnley and their recovery runs, they get back into their shape. "It's a learning curve and something to look at for future seasons."
I would have thought that SG would have realised that against Gray and Boyd playing 3-5-2 was courting disaster. Accordingly, Burnley ran rings around NE until he changed to 4-4-2. Against a team that moves swiftly through the gears, 3-5-2 leaves the wings exposed. If NE are to move on from mid=table to Premiership, they need a manager who is more savvy. SG has been very good getting the club into mid-table Championship and that seems to be his level. It would be a shame if next season and the club struggled to maintain mid-table Championship, he got the bird more loudly from a section of the crowd. A gentlemanly agreement and a golden handshake, and off to, query, Morecombe or Fleetwood would be more honourable.
