Only 49 Points from Safety

Star Geezer - Dimitri Papadopoulos

So with a point now in the bag, Clarets can concentrate on another milestone, a goal, the last arriving only a matter of 360 minutes ago, making August's goal of the month award a testing issue indeed and a month where the feast of football has sent Sue et Jean-Piere off to Mexico in search of pastures new.

Given sixteen fit and available players to choose from, Stan's latest throw of the dice saw no Moore's selected with Papadopoulos given his full League debut and in what was to turn into a man of the match performance, Papadopoulos added at least energy and desire up front supplementing Taylor's graft of winning headers and providing knock downs. So only shots on target required now then?

In an amusing kick off, where not one player was to the left of the pitch centre, Clarets unsurprisingly went right and after only ten seconds Taylor hit a volleyed shot goal wards, but only managed to find one of 4,000 empty seats behind the visitors goal. My my we thought, but this was as good as it got and the following forty four minutes could best be described as drab. Still there were moments to liven a home crowd ready to cheer at the slightest of moves forwards and man in green Mr Fletcher was to have a card waving day, seeing fit to yellow card seven players in a game devoid of competitive challenges.

McGregor decided to liven things up on ten minutes, stepping over an incoming shot only to leave Nicos Staticos on his line and Freedman clean through on goal. McGregor's further blushes were avoided as Nicos Salvagedos and the young defender was on hand to clear the loose ball after a desperate lunge at the strikers feet from the startled keepers save.

Clarets were trying and playing at a higher tempo than in any of their previous games, Palace meanwhile were the livelier of the two sides and Andy Johnson was to prove their main threat and the cause of at least two Clarets bookings, his ability to hit the deck at the slightest contact, endearing him to the Bob Lord stand during the first period.

It was Johnson who nearly broke the deadlock, when on twenty minutes, he found time and space at the near post to flick on an in swung free kick. Thankfully, Nicos Downsmartos was equal to it, instinctively catching the ball on his line. Hero Nicos turned villain within thirty seconds, needlessly wandering towards the edge of his area when West and McGregor were caught in two minds clearing a simple ball. Nowherenearos was a thankful spectator as Mullen's lob towards the empty goal drifted wide of the net, allowing many remonstrators in the stands to spit pie crust at the rows in front of them.

Half way through the half and Papadopopoulos whilst up against the last defender ran out of ideas, then legs, falling over whilst deciding what to do in one of Clarets few forays towards the Palace box. Grant was first into Mr Fletcher’s little pad for a lunging tackle, then on the half hour mark, Adebola's strength took him past McGregor, but his shot was thankfully wide of the mark, from the good position he had run into.

Briscoe followed Grant's name, for putting Johnson to the deck, then Cox for a similar foul on Freedman, Mr Fletcher clearly unable to distinguish a fair tackle from a striker looking to buy time. Sensing his dwindling popularity, Mr Fletcher booked Riihilarti for nothing more than a minor push on the ineffective Little, before the half time whistle thankfully came.

Star Gazer - Glen Little

A minute later and Papadopopopopopoulos, curiously pulled up in the area, clutching his eye, after going round his man, then ran off seconds later, (somehow couldn't quite see Andy Payton pulling up when in such a good position). Clarets were playing without a midfield in this game, the defenders were neat and orderly, the strikers willing to feed on scraps, but the midfield quartet of Little, Weller, Grant and Johnrose were awful, and save for the latter none were to make a contribution of note during the entire game.

Twenty five minutes from time and livewire Papadopopopopopopoulos was to show courage in closing down keeper Clarke's attempt to clear a loose ball and whilst injured in the clearing process, he was still able to scoop Taylor's goal bound lob as the Clarets front two combined well. Further good work down Clarets left saw Popovic misjudge the flight of the ball and then clearly grab Papadopopopopopopopoulos' shirt in retrieving his error for a clear penalty, not seen by either Mr Fletcher or eagle eyes on the line.

It was Clarke's last action, hobbling from the pitch to be replaced by Kolinko with twenty minutes remaining. Not one save would be required of Kolinko in his time in the sun, though he was a fortunate spectator, watching Taylor's crisp first time left footed drive whistle just past his far post after a neat knock down by Papadopopopopopopopopoulos; rare oohs emanating from the stands at the sight of a shot.

With fifteen to go, Little was finally rested, Alan Moore coming into the game, Routledge replacing Freedman at the same time. Minutes later, man of the match a tiring Papadopopopopopopopopopoulos was warmly applauded from the pitch, being replaced by run around in the sun Ian Moore. Routledge was booked for not retreating from a quickly taken free kick, then Johnrose completed Mr Fletcher's collection for the day, for a customary hard tackle, before Nicos Smartsaveos, collected Mullen's first time shot in his midriff, the visitors trying to sneak all three points in injury time.

The mindless ones were still able to boo at the final whistle, yet this was a relatively good result, it is the previous four that were bad ones. So forty nine points from safety, Arthur to come back from suspension and Steve Davis nearing fitness. All's looking well for Stan in his showdown talks with his chairman come Monday then?

Att:- 12,407, the bank manager will not be pleased with this.

Glen Little. On current form, the wing wizard has lost the plot. Easily marked out of this game, his contribution was minimal and his confidence looks at an all time low. Needs to get back to his right wing berth and play much further up the pitch than he is doing at the moment if he is to make any impact on the game.

The middle of the pitch is a graveyard area. No matter the formation, players picked or opponents, Clarets seem unable to get the engine room going at all. Against Palace, it was far far too easy for Palace's average troupe to dominate from the centre of the field and Clarets need to add fight and character to their repertoire in order to gain equality with their opponents, or at least make then sweat. It's little wonder that with so little support afforded to the front men, that Clarets on average are managing one meaningful shot at goal per game.

Papadopopopopopopopopopoulos. An encouraging full debut from the Greek U-21. Provided options and an outlet to Taylor, probing the Palace defence whenever possible. It was also nice to see the return of pace and commitment.

Grimsby and Sheffield Wednesday must be worried, now there's only a point gap to the Clarets, who still have a game in hand.