Learning to Win
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Those points do still stand. No doubt, one day, I will give it the full treatment. But after one of the most uplifting afternoons in recent times, I simply cannot bring myself to write a negative piece.
The record books state simply that Burnley beat Luton 3-2. But as you may be dimly aware by now, there was rather more to it than that. There are plenty of afternoons as a Burnley fan that are truly miserable, when you conclude (as all your friends did many years ago), that you must be mad to endure it. But then there are the euphoric days when you realise why you do, for the glorious feeling of being there to witness something remarkable. Saturday was such a day. It showed that this squad, the basis on which Steve Cotterill intends to build, has a chance.
The ten men that emerged in Claret and Blue for the second half had been dealt a cruel hand. They had seen a seemingly impregnable position snatched away by a moment of madness from their goalkeeper. At that time, they must have known they were up against it, a man down, without a keeper, against a team dominant and unbeaten on their own patch all season. They could have accepted their fate and subsided.
But these are men of hunger, character and dogged self-belief. Lads with enormous togetherness and team spirit, and lorry-loads of determination. In short, they are winners.
In football, we can all be guilty of over-complicating things. I know I can. We can be guilty of talking of formations and shapes and systems, of balance and framework, diamonds, triangles, one up front or two up front. It is easy to forget that there is one variable which takes precedence above all else: a sheer will to win.
Ade Akinbiyi is a winner. He thinks of winning and scoring the necessary goals first, and all else second. He does not care much for the niceties and theoretical of the game. He may have his preference, but he is happy to play alongside a big man or small man, craftsman or bully. Or to do the job alone, should the manager ask him, or indeed, as on Saturday, to fill in on the wing. No matter what, he gives his all, and leaves not a scrap desire to win inside him.
Likewise John McGreal and Frank Sinclair, who have frequently played through the pain barrier to aid the cause. Even Micah Hyde, in a more reserved and languid manner. These four were at the heart of that rearguard effort on Saturday. Despite having been round the block a few times, they still play as though their lives depend upon it.
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The four at the heart of the rearguard effort | |||||||||||
These senior players have a huge underlying value to what Steve Cotterill is trying to do at Burnley. What an example for the younger members of the squad to learn from. That refusal to give in, that unflinching determination to beat the odds, cannot be coached. But it can be transmitted, if those who command respect exude it. For all his faults, a substantial part of Manchester United’s success came about because Roy Keane had these hallmarks of greatness.
Those younger players did more than their bit: this was very much a team effort. And before the game changed so dramatically, they were showing that they have the ability to succeed. John Spicer demonstrated the guile and weight of pass that makes him a prospect, to twice put through Akinbiyi. John Harley raided down the left, whilst Gaz O’Conner roamed and found the space in which to play, and Wade Elliott showed neat touches on the right.
These are good players, let no-one doubt that. Burnley fans have yearned for many years – since before Ternent and Mullen and even Orient - for the emergence of a youthful team of poise and exuberance. Many of us have recognised that the slow evolution of such a team represents our most realistic chance of success.
With the likes of Karbassiyoon, McCann and Lafferty also about the fringes, this is probably the closest we have been to that ideal since the pre-Bond days of Phelan, Steven and Laws. We do not have superstars at the moment, or match-winners of the Little or Blake variety. But we have players with a little ability and good movement, neat interplay and a team ethic. Now they have shown that the can dig deep as well. And with those fine experienced mentors around them, they can cement themselves into this club for five or ten years.
How ironic to think that, now eighth in the league without fulfilling their potential, this team were being criticised for not being exciting enough, by those not patient enough to give potential a chance. I happen to think that there is a rare pleasure in seeing a team grow together, enjoy playing for one another and for the club. That, remember, was how this club used to operate, albeit with truly homespun talents rather than ones picked up from around the leagues.
With momentum behind us, promotion talk will be as inevitable as it is premature. Not this year; no chance. For now we are still very much a work in progress, and we are too green to start thinking about that just yet. But if you know how to win, then you have a chance. These lads have shown that, and, more importantly, they have that desire.
Some of us have said for sometime that there is a bit of something to be teased from this squad. Those there on Saturday will now be in no doubt of that. For those of you who weren’t there, you’ll just have to believe us: this was really, really, unforgettably, special.