Match Analysis

If you had to come up with a few words to describe last night's performance by the Clarets - frustrating and disappointing probably sum it up effectively.

If you had to come up with a phrase - may I offer - SEASON OVER.

It was another average performance from the Clarets, good in build up play, but sadly lacking in cutting edge and once again we can settle down to the rest of season devoid of much excitement. There will be no play-offs this season and although I do not think we will be relegated, we are now looking over our shoulders rather than upwards towards the top six.

I felt that the manager got his team selection pretty much right, with the obvious problems in defence. Without being too harsh on Wayne Thomas, he was not particularly missed and Wade Elliott put in a very good and solid performance at right back. Indeed our slightly younger midfield looked to have the edge over its opposition with both Spicer and McCann adding some much needed energy to proceedings.

Lets make something clear from the start - Wolves were average at best. Yes they won and for that I must congratulate them, but they will not make the playoffs either. They passed the ball around, but lacked any real edge up front, while in defence they were solid, if unspectacular. No they know how to use a set piece however and in Paul Ince have a midfield general the Clarets do not possess.

My main points of note from last night's game - are as follows:

1: An inability to win the second ball.
2: A lack of crossing.
3: Poor use of set pieces.

1. All last night and in particular in the second half the Clarets looked cumbersome and came out second in key tackles. When you are punting the ball long for tall strikers, you have to expect they will not win all of them. Sadly that also means you get up and amongst the second balls - our midfielder did not do that enough.
2. As I said in my last analysis against Plymouth Argyle, when you have big and not particularly mobile strikers, it is essential you get balls in the box for them to have a go at heading. Partly due to the personal on display last night - no wingers again - we still did not get to the by-line and put the crosses in. Indeed for once the two big men actually were stood waiting for the crosses on more than one occasion.
3. Another point of note is our poor set-pieces. The innovative free kicks of early season now look lost and it is becoming a little disappointing to see about 4 Burnley players over the ball, pretending to crash in to each other and then launching a tame or wide shot. We lack creativity here. But most apparent is in our corners. We genuinely did not look like scoring in any of the numerous corners we had last night - that must be a concern for the coaching staff

Overall then is was a distinctly average, although very open match. It had that feel of two clubs playing out the motions of finished seasons. Too often the Clarets wanted to walk the ball in to the net and the inability or unwillingness to shoot on target from distance is starting to frustrate this fan anyway.

But we have a while until our next match and I can only hope the manager brings in some loans - left winger and striker - before then.

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