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Sadly, that dream was not to be. Ever since, we have occasionally flickered, but we’ve always been on the way down. That glorious pre-Christmas period was the zenith of the team which Stan assembled to win firstly promotion to the first division, and which went on to surpass expectations over the next eighteen months.
With an ageing squad, this twelve month period would always have required a transition from that era to a new one. Stan tried to start that last summer, when he released the likes of Kevin Ball, but the sudden and apparently unforeseen financial earthquake which hit about that time put paid to that one. As a result, the squad we have now is both short on numbers, and populated by a few individuals whose best years are behind them.
All of which makes this a frustrating time to be a Claret. It would be bad enough if we hadn’t come so close to fulfilling the dream, but if we’d had a couple of seasons of mediocrity before this one, if expectation levels hadn’t become so vastly inflated, then we might all be handling the on-field disappointments and frustrations of this campaign that much better. The reaction to the departure of Glen Little emphasises the fact that, collectively, we are not handling it all that well.
I can’t make my mind up about Glen. My initial reaction was that, in both financial and footballing terms, it made some sense. First and foremost, it saved the club cash at a time when we are essentially guaranteed to be in this division next term – and a hundred grand might amount to another player next season. Secondly, Glen’s performances this season, excepting Tottenham in the Cup, have not been all that impressive; at times, it has been debatable whether he has deserved his place in the starting eleven. Perhaps, if he is to return to the club, a period away, exposing him to new ideas, coaches and playing styles, might help him to return to the form of eighteen months ago. It might also allow Stan to do some experimenting.
If Glen is not to return, then it would be a disappointment - but in harsh logical terms, that too can be justified. I, for one would be surprised if Glen kicks another ball for Burnley. We need to rebuild; we need money to do so. Glen and Robbie Blake are our two most saleable assets. The funds generated could help build the team to take us further than the last one did. Even tactically, it makes some sense. We have three players who either cost or have been valued at above a million pounds – Glen, Ian Moore and Robbie Blake – but we cannot fit more than two of them in the same team consistently. It doesn’t make sense to have talent overflowing in that area, but a deficit in central midfield – and one might have to go, of which Glen is the most obviously saleable.
The trouble is, footballing decisions have to consider the heart as well as the head. Glen walks on water in Burnley: he’s a crowd hero, a player whose failings will be indulged because of the undeniable quality that he possesses. These decisions might look fine when they are made in the boardroom, but in the eyes of some fans, the decision amounts to a betrayal, and a lack of ambition. The truth might be different, but this is a matter upon which perception is everything. The timing of the move – just as season tickets were placed on sale - was disastrous.
Possibly many fans here are making the same mistake the club have made over season ticket prices. They’ve over-estimated the size of the club. Just as the board may believe the club have more of a lure to all of the 12,000 season ticket holders than it does, many fans believe we are better able to resist the approaches of bigger or wealthier clubs for our players. Maybe, given the need to keep fans on board, it was a time when long-term interests would have been better served by indulging the fans.
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Glen Little’s gone, folks. And for what it’s worth, I don’t think he’s coming back. That’s football, that’s what happens. And since he left, we’ve scored six goals in two games, so we can’t be missing him all that much. The problems have been at the other end, and Glen was never exactly a ball winner or a centre-half.
Marlon Beresford, meanwhile, has been having a bad spell, the type all players have. It would be absurd to pretend otherwise. But earlier this season, he kept us in games, won us points, probably won more man of the match awards than Glen did. On Saturday, I don’t actually think he was the principal culprit for any of the seven goals. Perhaps, for two or three goals, he takes a share of the blame. But it wasn’t his fault his defence parted quicker than the red sea. The man did not deserve a public crucifixion. He deserved a bit of support.
I go to Turf Moor in the hope I’ll see Burnley win and play well, although I don’t always expect it. I presume that everyone who goes shares that desire. So how, exactly, does eroding a player’s confidence so degradingly help achieve that? How on earth does chanting Glen Little’s name help boost the morale of the eleven players who have been sent out there by the manager?
The effect of the treatment Marlon suffered on Saturday upon the man himself cannot have been positive. But it also transmits to the rest of the team, too. Players become fearful of being the next victim. They hide. They stop wanting the ball. Players who are scared of making a mistake rarely perform well. Teams who are scared of making mistakes rarely win.
And here’s a question for you: what do you think of Gareth Taylor?
Good, isn’t he. Indispensable. One of the few who’s worth their place in the team, one of the few who plays with pride and passion.
And what about a year ago? Lazy, slow, can’t use his feet. A donkey. Get rid of him, we don’t need him.
It’s quite a turnaround.
At the moment, Marlon is getting all the abuse that a year ago was hurled at Gareth. At that time, Marlon was being praised for his work at the other end. If he wants to stay in the summer after all of this, I wouldn’t bet against him proving himself again, and becoming a crowd favourite again. As for Glen, if he’s with us, this will be history. If he’s gone, and we’re winning, people will forget they were ever against him going. There were heroes before Glen Little, and there will be others again.