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With the Clarets beginning to piece a decent run of form together under Eddie Howe, and Doncaster on a 4-game losing streak, I think hopes were high before the game that we could nick a point if not all 3 to continue the mini-revival of our away form under Howe. The team was unchanged apart from Austin replacing Thompson, with Eagles sitting just behind Austin and Rodriguez once again out of position on the left. Again Andre Bikey had to settle for a position on the bench.
There was very little for the Burnley fans to shout about in the first half, with no chances of note being created. Eagles was tracked very closely and barely given a kick by the Doncaster defence, Rodriguez and Elliott offered little on the wings, and Cork and Marney worked hard without stringing a decent set of passes together. Charlie Austin cut a very isolated figure up front, working hard and chasing lost causes, but receiving very little service.
Doncaster worked hard without being spectacular themselves, but they did have all the chances in the first half, with most of the danger coming from James Coppinger on the right, who caused Fox a lot of problems. One shot deflected off Duff and just rolled into the side netting with half the ground already celebrating a goal, but the best chance came just before half time. Lee Grant made a cracking (dare I say Jensen-esque?) save to deny Coppinger and then Fox got back to make an even better block on the line to deny Hayter a tap in from the rebound. Nice to see two of the targets of the boo-boys making a positive, and decisive, contribution.
Burnley started the second half brighter, although it could hardly have been any worse. A through ball to Austin might have given him a great chance with a little bit less pace on it, and Marney produced a tidy finish, although clearly in an offside position. Marney was probably our best player and supported the forwards very well, in contrast to the disappointing Eagles who I don't think managed to put a foot in their area.
Doncaster were much less of an attacking threat in the second half but where both sets of strikers had failed, Michael Duff succeeded by inexplicably looping a header into the top corner of his own net from a cross that threatened very little on the hour. It was one of those headers which would look class if scored at the right end- think Iain Dowie against Stockport, or Paul Weller's against Coventry a few years ago. It capped what was at times a shaky performance from Duff- I don't know what is keeping him in the team ahead of Bikey but, although he hasn't played too badly in the last few games, it must surely be recognised by all that Bikey is simply the better player of the two?
The first goal was always going to be crucial in a game where neither team looked like scoring one, and our brightest spell of the game was in truth over, as Iwelumo replaced Elliott and we reverted to a long ball game which, had it been under Laws or Allardyce, would surely have resulted in much abuse towards the dugout. What baffles me is that if we are looking to move Iwelumo on, why is he the first port of call if we need a goal away from home, especially with two other strikers on the bench? He offered, as usual, very little.
The best chance of the half was a back-post header that Rodriguez sent flying over the crossbar, on another disappointing night for him. There was one great run down the left which ended in him losing the ball, and his decision making once again let him down. For me he could do well if given a run up front but I hope Howe soon comes to the conclusion that the left wing is not his position.
Fox earned a second half booking which seemed harsh from the referee, who didn't have any major decisions to make but often made a hash of the minor ones he did make. He was also one of those irritating referees who insists on a free-kick being taken from a precise position, which didn't help the flow of the game.
The final ball was lacking, the substitutions were ineffective and the air of desperation was summed up by bringing Carlisle up as a centre forward for the last few minutes, a move that I don't believe has ever brought us a goal, and which I doubt ever will. Doncaster didn't threaten our goal again but then we never really threatened theirs, and so 1-0 was how it finished.
A disappointing performance and result and a check on the ambitions of many fans. There are still some issues with the formation and personnel which Howe hasn't addressed yet, and while I'm confident he will do in the coming weeks and months, and prepare us well for a promotion push next season, I don't think the playoffs are forthcoming this year unless the new signings herald a sea change in the way we play.