When reviewing last season’s fixture between Burnley and Huddersfield Town just over a year ago, I remarked upon the similarities of the two clubs; their historical traditions, the perception of the clubs in the wider footballing world and the tactical philosophies of the two managers. I went on to note that these were two teams who cancelled each other out.
Fast forward to yesterday afternoon and it would seem that little had changed.
It is hard to escape the conclusion that this was a match between two teams destined to find the remainder of the season to be a struggle.
Burnley in particular reverted to the type of lethargic and uninspired display seen in previous home matches against Watford and Manchester United, especially evident in a soporific second half during which Burnley presented hardly anything in terms of a goal threat or sustained periods of possession and pressure.
Burnley are set up to defend their penalty area; they do it well and they did it well yesterday; but it is a policy which depends upon the team being able to spring forward with purpose and menace and it is that which was missing yesterday.
The sole exception was a right wing cross from Johann Berg Gudmundsson, which Sam Vokes leapt to meet and swivel his neck muscles sufficiently to guide his header into the corner of the Huddersfield goal.
That was half way through the first half and supporters were no doubt anticipating that Burnley would press on and add to their tally, pretty much as they did two weeks ago against Bournemouth. Instead, we saw the Clarets retreat into their shell and the frustration levels among the crowd began to slowly intensify.
It was therefore with a sense of grim inevitability that Huddersfield came up with an equalising goal mid-way through the second half.
If Burnley are going to once again become a team with a reputation for keeping their sheets clean, then they simply must re-establish two things: they must be able to hold onto the ball in midfield to allow the defenders some respite; and they must press the opponent in possession to deny him time to pick out a threatening cross or a probing pass.
Both those elements were absent when the excellent Christopher Schindler headed in a cross which was delivered from a colleague who was allowed to do so unmolested.
It proved to be a mixed afternoon for Schindler, who, shortly after scoring, was poleaxed by an Ashley Westwood shot which was intercepted at close range by his head. For a while it was troubling as medical staff scurried around the prone and motionless Schindler. It was a relief when he eventually rose to his feet and carried on.
Schindler, it seems, possesses many of the qualities which Sean Dyche looks for in a player, and especially in a defender, just a thought.
As the match petered out into a draw, frustration from the stands gave way to anger and the team left the field to a chorus of boos.
Whilst I acknowledge the right of fans to give voice to their displeasure and whilst admitting to sharing some of it, it should be remembered what this team and this manager have achieved and to ask what they envisage to be the alternative?
This is a team who have achieved so much in the recent past; a level of success which is unprecedented for any Burnley fan under seventy. This should be borne in mind, as should the simple fact that Eden Hazard and Lionel Messi are not about to sign for the Clarets anytime soon.
As supporters, we have no alternative other than to get behind the players on the field; those players, in turn, share a responsibility to offer the maximum of what they are able to give.
These factors will be required once the Premier League resumes after the international break and Burnley embark on a sequence of challenging fixtures against some of the League’s elite, fixtures which players and supporters alike should approach not with trepidation, but with relish.
Written by Dave Thornley who contributes regularly on Clarets Mad.