Vinny's Burnley Report
Vinny 9:34 Sun Mar 25

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Burnley 2 West Ham United 2

West Ham came from two goals down to gain a point at Burnley’s Turf Moor but with Southampton and Reading both winning this was firmly two points dropped.

This was our fifth consecutive draw and at a stage in the season where only the bravest and most potent of sides march on we find ourselves being left behind with the play offs looming.

Sam Allardyce claimed he was ‘flabbergasted’ by the result yet I look at his starting eleven and find his comments ludicrous as it is the same problem we have all been banging on about for weeks. It was only when we changed things at half time, went to two up front, stopped playing the long ball and actually tried to work the ball through Burnley that we succeeded.

Is the man so truly arrogant that he cannot see this? Does he really believe that us going 2-0 down in the first half was the Gods being cruel and luck again absent in our quest for promotion? How can the manager fail to take any responsibility for the last five results?

You can claim I am anti Allardyce and talk about what he was brought in to do etc etc, but can you really not place any of the blame on our manager and his reluctance to change his tactics? This 4-5-1 persistence will (if it hasn’t already) cost us a Promotion place.

I left Turf Moor feeling that it was a defeat because at this stage of the season a point is like a defeat – only all three will do. If we want to win a league you have to grind out the results and play with a bit of freedom just like Reading and Southampton have done.

Obviously if we are looking at positives then the side have again showed their resilience in coming back from what looked like a perilous position and getting the second goal so soon after the first was enjoyable for the fans who were absolutely magnificent and I certainly thought to myself in the first half that the side did not deserve such wonderful support.

The pressure we have put ourselves under for the next two games is far greater than it needed to be and with us being four points off Reading in second place the next two fixtures have to see us walk away with six points or we will not be promoted automatically.

The Team

Two changes were made to the side who drew with Middlesbrough last Tuesday with Abdoulaye Faye missing (I presume with injury) and Gary O’Neil coming into the side. This saw James Tomkins start at centre half alongside Danny Collins.

The other change came with Nicky Maynard dropped to the bench with Jack Collison replacing him. This would see O’Neil go to the right hand side with Collison, Nolan and Noble in the middle and Taylor on the left.

Carlton Cole was yet again up front all on his own.

Ravel Morrison, a player many would have even started with was not even on the bench.

First Half

The game certainly had chances for both sides and was not what you would call an unexciting game, but like against Ipswich we were so easy to break down it seemed as though Burnley may score with every attack.

We were playing in our third kit which was White shirts, blue shorts and blue socks as the West Ham fans were making all the noise on a warm sunny day in Lancashire.

It was the away side who were doing all the early pressing as we moved forward with the ball only for the final pass to often be wayward.

Our first chance of the game came on nine minutes as Nolan played a nice pass through to Carlton Cole who took a touch past the goal keeper and although the angle was a little tight he showed no composure and fluffed his shot wide. This was a miss from a player who looks shot of any confidence and has just score one goal this year.

O’Brien was getting forward well on the right and linking with O’Neil who won our first corner on twelve minutes as our bright start to the game continued.

It was down the right where our next chance was created when O’Brien collected a pass from O’Neil and put a low cross into the area which was behind most but fell to Cole who screwed his shot high over the bar and despite him being a little off balance again I thought he should have been doing better.

Burnley won their first corner around half way through the half after Tomkins mis-controlled a long punt forward but the corner was low and poor and was easily dealt with.

The home side were starting to get a foothold on a game that up to then they had not really been involved in and for us to have largely dominated the game thus far to see them go a goal up on 25 minutes and with such a soft goal was criminal.

It was a very simply goal with Marvin Bartley collecting the ball around thirty yards out and he just danced through the weak challenges, got into the area and finished past Robert Green to make it 1-0.

We thought we had equalised straight away and I hate celebrating a goal for an extended period of time when it hasn’t even been given and I don’t know if it was the alcohol in my system but it took me a few moments to try and work out what had happened.

Collison put a good cross into the area for Kevin Nolan to power his header past the keeper via the crossbar as the West Ham fans and players celebrated. But in the midst of these celebrations the referee had spotted an infringement which could have only been a push from Nolan on the defender and the goal was ruled out.

But we would create another golden chance just minutes later when Mark Noble played a free kick into the area which was flicked on by Collins and over the Burnley keeper for Carlton Cole to somehow miss the ball from what seemed like a yard out and it hit the post, bounced out for Nolan but his shot was blocked on the line.

The West Ham fans were chanting ‘We’re gonna score in a minute’ and whilst they were correct about a goal being scored it would not be West Ham to get it.

It was another goal out of nothing and soft as you are likely to see. Burnley’s Mee received the ball on the left, crossed into the area for Martin Paterson to get in front of the static Danny Collins and the striker diverted the ball past Green with his knee to make it 2-0.

I continue to make comparisons to the Ipswich game but it really was very similar. In that game we had not done terribly badly in possession and I recall Cole hitting the post after a good move yet poor defending and lack of concentration cost us multiple goals and this looked to be going the same way.

With five minutes of the half remaining Collison saw his fine effort from 30 yards out saved by the keeper who tipped it over the bar. This was odd to see us taking a shot from outside the area and hitting the target as it is not something we see often especially from a player such as Collison.

In first half stoppage time we were very fortunate not to have been three goals down when Wallace cut in from the right and put in a left foot cross which evaded everyone and bounced off the post and eventually scrambled away.

It was not looking good.

Second Half

Two changes were made by Allardyce at half time and you could argue that both these players had deserved to start but only if they were going to play up front together.

Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock both entered the field of play with Carlton Cole and the anonymous Matthew Taylor being replaced.

This has seen us go to as 4-4-2 as we could possibly get with Collison drifting to the left wing.

Our play had become a little more patient as we looked to get in behind the Burnley defence and slip the ball through to either Baldock or Maynard.

Nolan won the ball and it came to Maynard who ignored the support and took a shot which was deflected and away for a corner but the delivery was poor and actually went out for a throw in on the other side.

McCartney burst forward much like he did against Cardiff and exchanged passes with O’Neil before getting into the area and hitting a low right foot effort at the keeper.

We were the team doing all the pressing but as time was ticking on it did not look as though it was going to happen for us.

Out of nothing we did get a goal back and it came from the skipper who would score his tenth goal of the season.

O’Neil lofted the ball over the top and although the Burnley defender looked favourite the ball bounced, Kevin Nolan nipped in and chipped the onrushing goal keeper to reduce the deficit and make it 2-1.

It was certainly game on now and the West Ham fans were pumped up by this goal when it had looked as though we might never score.

Two minutes after getting a goal back we found ourselves in dreamland as we struck again.

George McCartney was fouled by Wallace on the left with Mark Noble stepping up to play the ball into the area which Maynard flicked on and James Tomkins side footed the ball past Grant in the Burnley goal to make it 2-2.

It was jubilation in the away end and some fantastic celebrations. I had barley celebrated the Nolan goal but went a bit crazy at the equaliser as it had all happened so quickly and out of nothing.

Twenty minutes remained and surely there was only one side that were going to win this.
We piled forward, got men into the area but chances to supply were often squandered.

Maynard broke forward and all he had to do was slip in Nolan who was pointed to exactly where he wanted the ball but the touch from Maynard was poor and the chance had gone.

With eight minutes of normal time remaining Allardyce made his third and final change with John Carew coming on for Jack Collison.

Carew was immediately involved when McCartney played the ball long to him and he flicked the ball to Baldock who had a chance on goal but put his shot way over the bar.

It would be Carew himself who would have a great chance with two minutes remaining when Nolan put the ball into the area for Baldock to chest down for the big man but his shot was 14 yards was week and he should have scored.

But that wasn’t going to be that final golden chance and a minute later we would have another one and this should have been a goal.

Maynard turned superbly and slipped in Baldock who just had to beat the keeper but his finish was saved by Grant and away for a corner.

Four minutes of stoppage time was awarded but we couldn’t find the finish and whilst we did well to fight back from two goals down if we really have aspirations to be promoted we cannot draw five games in a row.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
Will be wondering how he has conceded two goals as apart from picking the ball from the back of the net I do not recall Green having to do much else.

Joey O’Brien
I was pleased with his overall performance and thought he linked with O’Neil well in the first half down that right hand side.

Danny Collins
He was at fault for the second goal with some awful ball watching defending. I’m unsure what he was looking at and why he let the striker get in front of him.

James Tomkins
A weak weak attempted tackle cost us the first goal and I expect more from Tomkins than that. From corners he was a nuisance and was a threat. Of course his goal will be the lasting memory from this game as he finished well to equalise.

George McCartney
As it has been obvious over the last few games, it is McCartney who is the attacking left winger and his bombing forward has made Matthew Taylor redundant. This was no different.

Gary O’Neil
Did well for the majority of the game and I felt that he was effective on the ball and not as wasteful as others. His assist for Nolan’s goal was good and he was always involved in the game.

Mark Noble
His crosses into the area were inconsistent but were effective at times with his cross into the area in the first half actually hitting off the post and of course the ball into the area for the equaliser was often dangerous. But he did play many poor passes throughout the game with a number of them simply going off for a goal kick.

Kevin Nolan
Played a great pass through to Cole early on in the game which he should have scored, had a goal disallowed in the first half, had a shot cleared off the line also and scored our first goal and his tenth of the season as he became the first West Ham player this campaign to go into double figures. Say what you like about Kevin Nolan but he was certainly involved.

Jack Collison
Decent at times and linked with the midfield well on occasion but as with most Collison performances this season he just doesn’t do enough and is not involved enough in the game.

Matthew Taylor
Poor again and has been since his return from injury some time ago.

Carlton Cole
Should have scored twice in the first half and maybe should have at least hit the target with another. Cole doesn’t look as though he is going to score goals at the moment and his return in 2012 has not been good enough. It is time for Cole to be dropped and as we saw earlier in the season (at Hull and Coventry) when coming on as a sub he can have an effect. At the moment, starting him is hindering our promotion push.

Subs Used

Nicky Maynard (on for Taylor 45 mins)
I was impressed with him and this is the first time I have said this since he joined the club. He was good on the ball and has an ability to burst away from his marker. He was creative and a threat and up front as part of a front two is what needs to happen with Maynard.

Sam Baldock (on for Cole 45 mins)
Whilst people can question his ability at a higher level the fact is we are not at a higher level and that is something we can cross if the time comes to it. Baldock is dangerous and he has a knack of getting chances as his movement is better than any of our other strikers. He should have scored but start him as part of a front two and I am confident that he will.

John Carew (on for Collison 82 mins)
A decent enough cameo from big John Carew though for such a tall and powerful man I fail to see why he can get no power in a shot from 14 yards like the one he had in the latter stages of the game.

Subs Not Used: Potts, Lansbury

Bookings: Collison, Taylor, Tomkins

Man Of The Match: Kevin Nolan

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, McCann, Wallace, Paterson, Ings, Marney, Edgar, Bartley, Mee
Subs: Jensen, Stanislas, McQuoid, Austin, Hewitt


Attendance: 15, 246

Overall

We are now four points behind Reading although we have a game in hand and we play Reading next Saturday so yes it is still in our hands but with our current form the signs do not look good and no matter how hard I try I cannot imagine coming out of Upton Park next week with a positive feeling.

I really hope that Allardyce can see that a change in tactics has to be applied especially after how much better we played football in the second half.

The passing and the movement and the lack of long ball were pleasing and we scored two goals.

If Allardyce can put his ‘flabbergasting’ arrogance to one side for the next couple of months then Promotion is still a fantastic chance and we are certainly not out of it yet.

Next Game – Peterborough (a) Tuesday, 27th March 7.45pm KO

This is the game in hand and one where we cannot afford any slip up. This is the game which has prevented me from going into full scale depression regarding our promotion campaign as this is the game we have in hand on the top two and a win will see us back up there and ready to compete.

If we come back from 5-0 down to draw 5-5 it will still not be good enough.

A win.

Three Points.

A must.


Sams View

"I'm absolutely totally and utterly flabbergasted that we didn't leave Burnley with a victory under our belts. From the very start, we had chance after chance after chance and then incredibly went 2-0 down. Even then, we had a couple of chances before half-time that we couldn't put in the back of the net.

"We slipped up defensively on a couple of occasions and they've scored two goals completely against the run of play after playing so well.

"We changed the system a bit and went for it a little bit more. The comeback was fantastic but it wasn't really a comeback because we were already there. We increased the amount of opportunities we could score from, but unfortunately we fell foul of not converting our opportunities into goals.

"We must have had four or five one-on-ones, we've hit the post and had a goal disallowed. We had 20 attempts and eleven shots on target and Burnley's total was five shots on target in the entire 90 minutes and they've scored two goals.

"Our first goal was a brilliant goal from Kevin Nolan from the hardest chance we created - it wasn't even a chance - and James Tomkins converted from a great free-kick.

"It's just incredible that we dominated possession for the whole 90 minutes and created chance after chance and still ended up drawing 2-2.

We're all distraught after such a performance with such great quality, but unfortunately even when did find the net, the referee decided we couldn't have it and when we didn't the post decided to stop it!

"It continues to go on and on and we just cannot find that final way through to the valuable three points we're after.

With such a top, top performance, the disappointing thing is the top line 'Burnley 2 West Ham 2'."




Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards

Kevin Nolan - 10 (10 League)
Carlton Cole - 9 (9 League)
Mark Noble - 7 (7 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Jack Collison - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Own Goal - 3 (3 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 2 (2 League)
Winston Reid - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
Nicky Maynard - 1 (1 League)
Gary O'Neil - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)


Red Cards

Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*

*rescinded by FA on appeal




Email: vinnywhufc@hotmail.com

Fivetide 12:19 Mon Mar 26
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

"dreamland "

Thanks Vinny.

Vinny 11:57 Mon Mar 26
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Surely Allardyce cannot play one up front against Peterborough.

Though I get the feeling he will.

John Carew up front on his own anyone?

JayeMPee 8:27 Mon Mar 26
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

An arrogant BFS is costing us automatic promotion, starting with just Cole upfront is effectively playing must-win games without a single striker in the side.

Will the thick sod recognise that we won the second half 2-0 with two strikers, the fact they didn't score doesn't matter they unsettle defences creating opportunities for others. If he shows some confidence in the lads and starts them every game goals will come.

Northern Sold 10:42 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Great report Vinnie... cheers...

"Is the man so truly arrogant that he cannot see this? "

Answer is YES

I.want.that.one 10:22 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

daveyg 9:46 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report


I bet you were dribbling when you typed (or got your carer to type) that. Retardation.

Hammer and Pickle 10:18 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

daveyg 9:46 Sun Mar 25

Hush now. So right you are but I've got the Sunday night blues.

Dolittle 10:15 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

thanks for the report Vinny

I disagree slightly with the Carew substitution.

He's not very mobile but he's a clever footballer with loads of experience at a much higher level than anyone else in the squad.

He's also, obviously, a big man and that sort of player can pull in defenders and create space for other player.

I guess that's what Sam was hoping when he put him on.

daveyg 9:46 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

It seems to me that BFS seems to be vindicate him self and everything he does.
From blaming the players for not converting the hordes of chances created.To calling nolans goal fantastic and the best ever,ever.
He's Crap really and we all know it.He's the most overerated manager ever,ever.I've said this and many on hear feel and know too.Excuse after excuse 14 points dropped from 7 games.We should have won them all and been promoted by now.
He doesn't know his best team and plays to many out of position,we all know that.He's crap but we'll get promoted and be none the better because he'll still be here.This division is crap as well.
Ah well to be a West Ham fan

Hammer and Pickle 9:17 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Cheers Vinny. If he starts positively with Maynard and Baldock there may be hope after all.

kylay 6:21 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Thanks Vinny, and totally agree about using Cole as a late sub. I've always felt he's been most effective in that role.

Texas Iron 4:36 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Cheers,,,

2 defensive mistakes...

too many missed chances...

2 lost points...

TOO depressing again...

lars 2:42 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Excellent report as always Vinny, thanks.

gph 1:39 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Thanks, Vinny

Kermit2000 11:59 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Good work Vinny, Nolan did indeed foul the Burnley defender before scoring the disallowed goal, even though he didn't really need to. Carew coming on signals that Sam is done with the game and is settling for the draw, no matter what he says.

New Jersey 11:23 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Thanks Vinny - The support was fantastic yesterday, but from where I was standing there was a little bit of dissent! They were booed off at half-time, chants for DiCanio and we want Baldock on. I was having a piss when Nolan's goal was disallowed, so not sure about that. Agree with other posters that if we hadn't been 2 nil down, not sure if the arrogant one would have changed it. Also Cole looks woefully out of sorts again and Carew would be a better option for that type of role. That's a reflection on how bad CFC is at the moment, not how good Carew is!

Duke of Devonshire 11:08 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Thanks for another very good report, Vinny.

I was out enjoying the sunshine while this was on. I think I made the right choice.

Let's hope this is a turning point for us and we continue to move the ball about instead of aimless high balls

Still, top spot is out of the question now. Although I would take second place I will look back on this season as a missed opportunity to finally win something.

SuperKevinHorlock 10:58 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

also Taylor , how poor has he been recently. Not trusted with free kicks, back to Nobles ineffective delivery 90% of the time and appears more of a hinderance to Linda rather than a help.

Hopefully Vaz Te will be back for Saturday

SuperKevinHorlock 10:58 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

also Taylor , how poor has he been recently. Not trusted with free kicks, back to Nobles ineffective delivery 90% of the time and appears more of a hinderance to Linda rather than a help.

Hopefully Vaz Te will be back for Saturday

Eric.C. 10:58 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Thanks Vinny. Someone suggested yesterday that Morrison was excluded for disciplinary reasons. Perhaps the truth will emerge in time,but it seems he won't be playing much part in our promotion push. Shame.

ted fenton 10:57 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

Cheers Vinny.

SuperKevinHorlock 10:55 Sun Mar 25
Re: Vinny's Burnley Report

some poor finishing yesterday...

Also is Carew really a footballer , I cant see hi m having enough value other than a 10 minute Alamo style siege. It took him from half time to ten mins from times to get warmed up enough!!

If we are to go up , inspite of Allardyces utter arrogance and refusal to accept he ever does anything wrong,we MUST get 6 point return from Peterboro and Reading. Anything less and its lottery of Playoffs

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