Clarets call time on Laws

Last updated : 29 December 2010 By Tony Scholes

It had almost become inevitable and not one Burnley supporter could have been surprised as the news came via a short statement issued by the club this afternoon. It was the only topic of discussion and even to those supporters least inclined to want a change it had reached the stage where there was no real alternative.

And yet, once again, a win yesterday would have seen us in the top six and on target for the play offs which the club has seen as a requirement for the season.

But today's decision wasn't just about that horrendous ninety minutes but about the whole time he's been in charge, and particularly the events of this season to date.

Let's go back to January 2010. We were suddenly, through no fault of our own, searching for a new manager just over half way through our first ever Premier League season. The club were rocked by the events in the first week of the year but when the news came that former player Brian Laws would fill the vacancy it was hardly met with much enthusiasm.

At no point since has he ever had universal support but there again there's never been anything really to turn round those supporters who weren't on his side in the first place. Not once have we won back to back games and every poor result has been met with increased derision.

Yes, there have been highlights but with the season slipping away the fans were getting more and more restless. "It's fans that sack managers," was something I heard yesterday and it is absolutely the case. Directors might be the ones who wield the axe but there is no doubt once a manager has lost the support there is no real alternative.

There was precious little support left for him yesterday in the stands and the performance suggested there wasn't any more out on the pitch. It was time; there was no alternative and thankfully the club acted quickly.

I've not spoken with Brian Laws too often and other than a quick hello in a Turf Moor corridor recently I haven't spoken to him since a couple of days before this season started. But he's a smashing bloke and I can do no more now than wish him all the best.

HIs return to Turf Moor didn't work out and I'm sure he'll be honest enough to agree with everyone else on that. It was the right decision for Burnley Football Club.

We now have to sit and wait to find out who will become our next manager. I just hope he's given more backing and support from day one than Brian Laws was. We can't afford another period like the one we've just had.