Coyle's Clarets March On

Last updated : 08 December 2007 By James Coldman
Robbie Blake
Robbie Blake - his free kick was spilled by the Wolves keeper to give us the lead
The Clarets will be looking to build on the 11 point tally they have accrued in their last five away games by getting the instrumental Robbie Blake and Wade Elliott on the ball. Both have seven league assists and share the top spot in the division with Liam Lawrence of Stoke City. They will also look for another big game from Andy Gray who has notched 11 league goals and is second top scorer to James Beattie of Sheffield United.

However, Mick McCarthy's Wolves outfit will be no pushovers, and have not been beaten at the Molineux since September 18th - taking 19 points from a possible 21, scoring nine and conceding only once along the way.

Despite excelling at the back Wolves, currently lying 6th, have struggled for goals with Andy Keogh and Freddy Eastwood only managing to net four goals between them, however they are bound to prove a handful.

With McCarthy seemingly quashing rumours linking him with the South Korea head coach position, and midfielder Seyi Olofinjana promising a much improved performance after their mid-week defeat at Oakwell, Burnley will need to rise to the occasion.

Combine Wolves' home form with the Clarets' impressive run on their travels and you'd have a Championship winning side, but as it is two in-form sides looking to climb the table in a bid to boost their play-off credentials will come to blows.

From Molineux

The Clarets registered their fourth away win on the bounce with an entertaining 3-2 win over Mick McCarthy's Wolves side. Goals from Blake, Lafferty and a Darren Ward own-goal were enough to ease Burnley to menacing 7th spot in the Championship.

After cautious early exchanges on account of both sides Burnley settled down and began to look comfortable on the ball; passing, moving and looking to create chances. The Clarets were unlucky not to put themselves ahead just after the quarter-hour mark, when Alan Mahon slammed the ball against the upright from all of 30-yards. With Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey still on the floor, Gray raced toward the ball, but a scrambling Hennessey managed to stop the Burnley marksman from adding to his impressive tally.

Moments later, Blake was fouled on the edge of the box with thoughts turning to Charlton and the two free-kicks the side managed to convert incisively at the Valley. And their dreams became reality in the 20th minute when Blake fizzed a low effort goal-bound and Hennessey managed to spill the ball into his own net when attempting to gather it up.

The home side's response came in the 24th minute when a Hennessey clearance found its way to Stephen Ward via a Jay Bothroyd flick-on. Clarke Carlisle managed to block the winger's initial cross, but when he fired the second opportunity across the Burnley box Darren Gibson rocketed the ball past a helpless Gabor Kiraly who could do noting but watch the ball hit his right-hand post and settle in the back of the net.

Under Coyle the Clarets have shown character and a willingness to attack at every opportunity, and that's exactly what they did when the in-form Wade Elliott turned two Wolves defenders one way and then the other, before curling a left-footed cross to the back post where Kyle Lafferty ghosted in to put Burnley ahead.

With Wolves behind again, a response was expected by the home crowd, but it was the confident Clarets who continued to press and ask questions of a previously water-tight defence. The inspired Gray found himself with Hennessey to beat, but the Wolves stopper managed to scoop Gray's effort over the bar.

It was from the resulting corner that Blake created Burnley's third, teasing two Wolves defenders before standing the ball up for two completely unmarked Clarets at the back stick. A towering Clarke Carlisle header came off Ward's arm before ending up in the back of the net to put the Clarets 3-1 up just before the break.

With all and sundry expecting a strong Wolves onslaught it was inspiring to see a driving run by John Harley end with a free-kick to Burnley in a menacing position. Robbie Blake fancied his chances and curled an effort over the bar.

In the 60th minute the home side grabbed their second when a soft free-kick curled towards the back stick looked to have been fired wide of the post by Seyi Olifajana. However, referee Steve Tanner pointed to the spot with Andy Gray alleged to have pulled the Wolves midfielders shirt right in front of the referees eyes.

Struggling for goals and with Andy Keogh and Freddy Eastwood on the bench, the responsibility fell to Stephen Elliott who fired high to Kiraly's right, perhaps signalling a fight-back by the home side.

Mick McCarthy certainly thought so, replacing Darren Gibson with Freddy Eastwood and Jay Bothroyd who continued his pursuit of a 30-yard screamer with Andy Keogh in the 72nd minute. Wolves switched to playing with four strikers and the reality of hanging on for the last fifteen minutes began to set in, but in truth the away side gave as good as they got.

Coyle's men remained calm, strung a few passes together and the introduction of Joey Gudjonsson injected energy into the side at the right time in the game. Classy one-touch play from Blake and phenomenal hold-up play by Gray took much of the pressure off the defence, but when called into action they too excelled. The desire and passion didn't drop, infact it increased and their desire to win another game under the tutelage of their new boss was clear for all to see.

A late Wolves rally saw the home side load the Clarets box, but a tremendous Harley block halted a goal-bound effort and Olofinjana fired the resulting chance high and wide to the jeers of the travelling Clarets faithful. Gudjonsson tested Hennessey from way out, while Elliott failed to head the ball on target from a Freddy Eastwood cross deep in stoppage time.

Clarets performance full of character, commitment, passion and not to mention goals, live on Sky TV, was a statement of intent. A statement that the Clarets are serious play-off candidates, a statement Coyle's side have nobody to fear, and a statement that the future at Turf Moor is certainly a bright one. Coyle's side are full of confidence and are playing attractive, inventive and entertaining football, which to-date is winning the plaudits of the neutrals and delighting the loyal Clarets - long may it continue!